Relocation can provide an exciting opportunity to start afresh, in your dream home. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to live in the country, or the city, have a bigger garden, be closer to work or school. This could be your chance!

However, don’t rush into any decisions. Consider carefully what you want, what you need, the sort of pitfalls you may encounter along the way, and how you can avoid them.

Below, we outline the key steps in property purchase.

Step 1 – Fixing your budget
Before you start your property search, work out what you can afford to spend. Consider how much you will probably be able to borrow (if you plan to take out a mortgage), your savings (if you intend to use them), and how much you are likely to have left from the sale of your present home once any existing loan is paid off. A local estate agent can advise on current market value.

In addition to the purchase price, factor in the other costs of buying. These include:

Faced with the many costs involved in buying a new home, you may be tempted to cut corners by skipping a survey.

Our advice is: don’t yield to this temptation – unless, that is, the property you are buying is covered by a structural warranty. In this case, the warranty should cover any significant problems, so it is probably unnecessary to have a survey done (apart from the valuation that your lender, if you are taking out a mortgage, will want to arrange).

The case for a survey

As well as giving you peace of mind, a survey makes sound financial sense. Before committing yourself to buy, you’ll want to know that the property is in reasonable condition and constitutes a wise investment. If repairs are needed, you’ll want to have some idea of their cost.

You’ll be keen to eliminate, as far as possible, the potential for nasty – and expensive – surprises. Imagine moving into your dream home only to be confronted with structural problems that will be costly to remedy, at a time when you will have many other calls on your purse.

If these points aren’t persuasive enough, bear in mind that, if your surveyor finds a major defect, you may be able to negotiate a reduction in the asking price that will cover, or even exceed, the cost of the survey.

In times gone by, applying for a mortgage was relatively straightforward. A far more limited range of products was available than is the case today, lending criteria were stricter, and most aspiring borrowers would simply approach their bank or building society.

This article provides some background to the current complex mortgage market. Before making any decisions on mortgage matters, we recommend you consult a suitably qualified professional, such as an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA).

How much can I borrow?

This usually depends on how much you earn (most lenders will wish to see proof), how much the lender considers you are likely to be able to afford (taking into account other loans, household bills and so on), and the value of the property you are buying.

Once the decision to relocate has been made, you’ll probably be keen to go full steam ahead. However, before you put your present home up for sale, there are some essential preliminaries.

Step 1 – Putting your house in order

To achieve a swift sale at a good price, making your property as attractive as possible to potential purchasers is vital. Start by doing all those repair jobs you’ve been putting off. Colourful containers in the front garden can add that all-important kerb appeal. Inside, pale, neutral décor will make rooms appear larger.

Step 2 – Deciding how to sell

Buying property in Scotland is a whole different ball game but , rather than feeling daunted by new rules and regulations, simply enjoy the end result - which is usually an extremely quick purchase. Here are some tips that will help you navigate the system.

Buy through the solicitor

The largest volume of residential property in Scotland is bought and sold by solicitors. They have grouped together to acquire a central location where details of all properties for sale are available.

Making an offer