THE VIEW
their first home together. It makes sense for them to pool their funds and we are busy looking for the right place but I am sure we will find something they both like – I am chief project manager and loving every minute of it.” Lucy has some very good advice for first time buyers and said, “During tough financial times, pooling funds with friends and family, if you can, is a great way to start. Buy if you can and then the home is yours. There is a big percentage of parents who are helping out their children one way or another, and the bank of mum and dad is becoming more and more popular. "I think location is very important but there are some amazing places which may not be quite where you had thought of living and are really on the up. In these up-and-coming areas you will get more for your money and even if it’s not trendy or has a cafe culture it will eventually come. My advice is to buy the worst house on the best street, basically the ugly duckling, as from my experience a good location means that property prices hold their own. Everyone has a different list of things they need and want from a home, but things like transport links, proximity to shops and schools, are very important. "It is vital to secure funds and it is sensible to make sure you have a mortgage offer in place before you start. If you don't have a mortgage offer then it is pretty pointless to start house hunting as you could end up very disappointed.View as many properties as you can and make friends with the estate agent and regularly call them so you don’t miss out on anything new coming to the market.Visit the area at all times of the day and at weekends too. Chat to the neighbours and do all your research before you commit, to make sure it is the home for you. "You should also add value to your home once you have bought it – even if it’s a new build you can change the door or knock through the garage and create a car port – it will then have your own personality stamped on it and will certainly add value and space." Lucy is very keen on buying at auction and said, “If you buy at auction it will mostly be a wreck but you could make a lot of money. It is not for the faint-hearted and hard for first timers who are not cash rich, but if you can take the plunge and are young and have lots of energy then an auction property is the way to go.” Lucy has a busy schedule but manages to juggle home and work so that everyone is very happy. “I just love what I do and couldn’t be happier. Life is full of fun and our house is always filled with laughter and I have my beautiful cottage by the sea, so I guess I have the best of all worlds,”
First Time Buyer February/March 2025 23
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