Why September Might Be the Month to Start Looking
There is something about September that makes people start thinking about what comes next.
The summer holidays are coming to an end, children are heading back to school and normal routines are returning. Plans that have been put on hold over the summer can suddenly come back into focus.
For some people, that means deciding that now could be the right time to move home.
If you are thinking about buying a home in Sutton, Norbury or the surrounding areas, September can be a useful time to start exploring your options, even if you are not quite ready to make an offer.
Start With the Mortgage, Then Start Looking for the Home
Knowing how much you may be able to borrow before you seriously start viewing properties can help you set a realistic budget and put you in a stronger position when the right home appears.
September Can Bring a Change in the Property Market
The summer months can sometimes feel quieter. People go away, families focus on holidays and moving house may temporarily move down the priority list.
When September arrives, buyers and sellers often begin concentrating on their plans again.
You may start seeing new properties coming onto the market, while some homes that were listed during the summer may still be available.
That gives you the opportunity to see what is actually available locally and compare different properties, streets and areas rather than relying purely on national house-price headlines.
Sutton and Norbury: Two Different Property Searches
Buying locally is rarely as simple as choosing a borough or postcode. Different neighbourhoods, roads and property types can offer very different things.
For Example: Buying in Sutton
Imagine you are searching for a family home in Sutton.
Your priorities might include an additional bedroom, a garden, local schools, shops, green spaces or convenient transport connections.
You may have a figure in mind for your maximum purchase price, but before arranging lots of viewings it is worth understanding whether that figure matches your actual mortgage affordability.
You might also decide to compare Sutton with nearby Carshalton, Wallington or Cheam to see what your budget could buy in each area.
Gordon Blair has an office in Carshalton, close to Sutton, and helps local buyers understand their mortgage options before they make an offer.
For Example: Buying in Norbury
Now imagine you are searching for a property in Norbury.
You may want to stay within South London, value local transport connections and be comparing space, location and affordability.
Your search could include Norbury as well as nearby Streatham, Mitcham, Thornton Heath or Croydon.
Knowing your mortgage position before you become attached to a particular property can make that comparison much easier.
Gordon Blair also has an office in Norbury, so clients can deal with a mortgage broker who is genuinely based in the local community.
Why Speak to a Mortgage Broker Before Finding a Property?
Many buyers assume they should find a property first and only then speak to a mortgage adviser.
In many cases, doing things the other way around can be more helpful.
For example, you may believe you can spend £450,000 based on an online calculator or a rough multiple of your income.
Your actual borrowing options could be different once your income, deposit, existing borrowing, regular commitments and personal circumstances are taken into account.
Different mortgage lenders also have different affordability calculations and lending criteria.
What Can a Local Mortgage Broker Help With?
As a local mortgage broker serving Sutton and Norbury, Gordon Blair can help you understand your options before you seriously begin your property search.
- Understanding how much you may be able to borrow
- Reviewing your available deposit
- Explaining potential monthly mortgage payments
- Reviewing relevant lender criteria
- First-time buyer mortgages
- Home mover mortgages
- Remortgage options
- Decision in Principle guidance
Having this information early means that when you start viewing homes, you have a much clearer idea of what is realistically within reach.
Get Your Mortgage Plans in Place Before You Fall in Love With a House
Finding a property you love can be exciting.
Discovering afterwards that you cannot borrow enough to buy it can be extremely disappointing.
Getting your mortgage plans started before you seriously search for a property can help reduce that risk.
A Decision in Principle can give you an indication of how much you may be able to borrow based on the information provided and the lender's initial assessment.
It is not a mortgage offer or a guarantee that a mortgage will be approved, but it can provide a useful starting point when deciding your property budget.
Why Using a Local Mortgage Broker Can Make a Difference
Mortgage information and online calculators are easy to find, but they cannot understand the full circumstances behind your move.
You may be a first-time buyer, an existing homeowner moving to a larger property or someone whose income and circumstances do not fit neatly into a standard application.
Gordon Blair is genuinely local, with offices in Norbury and Carshalton.
We work with buyers and homeowners across:
- Sutton
- Norbury
- Carshalton
- Wallington
- Cheam
- Mitcham
- Streatham
- Thornton Heath
- Croydon
- Surrounding South London areas
Being local means we understand that someone looking for a family home in Sutton may have very different priorities from someone buying a flat in Norbury.
Our starting point is understanding you, your finances and what you are trying to achieve.
Could Starting in September Help You Move Before Christmas?
If you are hoping to move before Christmas, beginning your search in September can give you more breathing room than waiting until much later in the year.
Buying a property can involve:
- Finding the right home
- Agreeing an offer
- Submitting a mortgage application
- A mortgage valuation
- Property surveys
- Conveyancing and searches
- Responding to enquiries
- Coordinating buyers and sellers in a property chain
Starting in September does not guarantee that you will complete before Christmas, but it does give you more time to get your mortgage and property search organised.
Do Not Feel You Have to Buy the First House You See
One of the benefits of starting early is having time to compare.
Look at different parts of Sutton. See what your budget gets you in Carshalton, Wallington or Cheam.
If you are considering Norbury, compare properties in Streatham, Mitcham, Thornton Heath and Croydon too.
The more properties and areas you see, the easier it can become to understand what represents the right combination of price, location and property for you.
Thinking About Moving This September?
You do not need to have found your dream property before speaking to a mortgage broker.
You do not need to know which mortgage you want, and you do not have to commit to buying immediately.
Sometimes the most useful first step is simply finding out what is financially possible.
If you are looking for a mortgage broker in Sutton, our Carshalton office is ideally placed to help.
If you are looking for a mortgage broker in Norbury, you can speak to the team at our Norbury office.
Start With the Mortgage. Then Start Looking for the Home.
Whether you are buying your first home, moving to a larger property or simply exploring what your budget could buy in Sutton, Norbury or the surrounding areas, speak to Gordon Blair about your mortgage options.
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