Why 'location, location, location' is key for first-time buyers

James Cox

Ready to take the property plunge? Are you preparing to take that first daunting step on the property ladder? Are you looking for help in figuring out just how to buy a home? 

Help is at hand.

A new indispensable guide for homebuyers is now live. The first five episodes of a six-part podcast series - How to Buy a Home podcast - are now live. 

Hosted by journalist Siobhan Maguire, this is ‘The Ultimate Guide to Home Ownership’.

Episode five is now available, and its focus is 'location, location, location', with new homes Director, Savills' Sarah Murray and managing director of MyHome.ie, Joanne Geary advising on how being open-minded could be the key to finding your new home.

Geary says: "The first piece of advice I would give is, think about the location. It can be overwhelming for people. There's a huge array of properties out there, but generally people search around two main criteria; which are location choice and budget.

"I would say to people be reasonably clear on your preferred location, and then consider your budget."

She advises buyers to speak with mortgage advisers early in the process, and get up to speed on the financial aides and grants available to first-time buyers.

Geary says there is "constrained supply", while the housing market is currently "very competitive", making preparation even more important.

Sarah Murray from Savills points to developments like Clonburris in Dublin, which include phases that give buyers an opportunity to familiarise themselves with a new area.

She says people should be open-minded about considering a variety of locations and types of property. "Be open to the areas, the types of property.  At the same time, you're getting yourself organised, get out there and see different properties," she says.

"Talk to local agents, and establish relationships with them. As they get to know you and what you like, they'll tell you when things are coming up."