Buying your first home is one of life's great experiences but understanding the ins and outs of the process and the mortgages available can be tricky.

Planning and research will help you to find the right mortgage for you; so speak to one of our experienced mortgage advisers and see how we could help you get on to the property ladder.

Here are our tips for the first time buyer.

• Make sure you are realistic when working out exactly how much you can afford to spend on your new home.  Take into account how much it will cost you to furnish and whether you will need work carried out on it, redecorating or new carpets.  Make sure that you take account of all likely expenses in addition to the purchase price, such as solicitor’s conveyancing fees and stamp duty.

• Find out how much you will be paying in council tax.  Your estate agent should be able to advise you of the band in which the house you are interested in buying falls and how the council tax is charged by the local authority.

• Keep in mind the distance of your potential new property to your place of work.  Will your transport arrangements change if your new house is in a new area?  Will you have to get a bus to work?  If you have a car, will you pay more in petrol costs? 

• If you are a first time buyer without your own transport, you should certainly look into the availability of public transport.  Consider local bus routes and the train services available from your nearest station.  Commuting can add up to be a big expense, so consider the costs.     

• Your car insurance premium may change depending on the area and parking facilities.  If you change from parking in a locked garage to on-street parking you can expect your insurance premiums to rise.

• Think about which local services which are important to you.  Take into account the shopping facilities, restaurants, pubs, gyms and cinemas.

• If you are a keen internet user, check to see that broadband or other high-speed internet is available in the street you are moving into.

• Don’t be intimidated by all the technical terminology.  If you’re not sure what something means, don’t be afraid to ask.  Our mortgage glossary could help make things clearer for you, but we are always happy to talk to you in person. 

• When buying for the first time, there may be a number of details in the houses you are looking at, which you may not pick up.  Always take an experienced home buyer, such as one of your parents, or a home-owning friend, when looking at property.  If this is difficult to arrange then make sure you at least get some assistance once you have selected a property you like, and are arranging a second viewing.