Step 2 of 6

Find the perfect home

So you’ve got an idea of what you can afford, now it’s time for the fun part - deciding where to buy a house. Here’s what to consider while home hunting.

Choose an area

You can make a home look prettier but you can’t pick it up and move it. It’s all about location, location, location - and finding an area you know you’ll love.

Narrow down your search

Looking for somewhere with a garden, garage or office? We’ve got all the tools you need to help you do just that.

Viewing properties

Whether you’re after a do-er upper or a good-to-go home, we’ve got the questions to ask the agents plus tips on how to spot property with potential.

New-builds

One top reason to bag a new-build home is that most come with a 10-year warranty. Plus they have the latest eco-friendly, energy-efficient appliances.

Buy-to-let

Thinking about becoming a landlord? Buy-to-let properties have different stamp duty and mortgage rates. Here's what you need to know.

  • Buying a home to rent out? Here's our easy-to-understand guide to rental mortgages and where to find the best buy-to-let mortgage rates.

  • If you're buying another home which you won't be living in, you may well be liable to pay the 3% stamp duty on second homes. We break down the complex rules in our dedicated Q&A.

Retirement

Did you know there are such things as interest-only retirement properties? There's more to retirement than having more time to babysit your grandkids.