A HOUSE, a home, that special place to live and grow, is one of the most important purchases you will ever make.

Start by understanding every aspect of the mortgage process.  Youíll be signing legally binding document, so know the game in advance and stay ahead.

Make sure your finances are in order and you have a good credit rating.  Calculate your budget before starting.  Work out what you can afford and donít overstretch yourself.

Determine your housing needs, what types of property are within your range and stay in that range.

Hire a trustworthy estate agent, one with a good reputation and one who will look after your best interests in the potential minefield that is the property market.  You can represent your self but there are myriad of complex documents to deal with, so it advisable to find  an expert to do it for you.

Get to know the different types of house: detached, semi-detached, terraced, flat roofed, town house, maisonette, flat, etc.
Start your house hunting by checking local press, websites, estate agents offices and just spending time actually in an area, looking for FOR SALE signs, etc.  Doing some house hunting on foot will help you assess the area you plan to move into it as well the actual property.

Make a list!  Check it twice!  Keep a score tally even.

To avoid disappointment, learn how to judge the value of a property before you see the advert.  Look for the signs, and donít just see, but observe the condition of the property, and those around it.  Check out the surrounding area, the views (rolling hills or chemical disposal plant?).  Assess the distance from local amenities, public transport, schools, etc.  Get to know the area.

When you find your dream dwelling, arrange to see it and if you like it, bargain for a good deal with the knowledge and information you have gathered.

When youíve decided to buy, put your offer in writing and make sure you understand the process of turning an offer into a contract.

Don’t let the home owner badger you into an instant decision.  Investigate the property further before signing up to a mortgage. Ask for an inspection or a report, but above all, take steps to safeguard yourself, all the work youíve done and, most importantly, your potential investment.  Take care to become familiar with other documentation, e.g, deeds, covenants, planning issues, warranties, insurance.

Get a solicitor to deal with all the paperwork and legal aspects before the deal is finally done and dusted.

Be warned the business/legal/paperwork side of the process is not quick.  The typical time, under the UK property market, between having an offer accepted and you getting the keys in your hands could be up to 12 weeks or several months, which is, on average, twice as much time as other countries.

When the legal and paperwork side is complete, start the moving process by finding a reputable moving company and then plan your move before so much as packing a box.