THE KEY TO PROPERTY PURCHASE SUCCESS THIS YEAR

EXPERTS TELL VICKY SHAW SOME IMPORTANT POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A HOME

- VICKY SHAW

THE start of the year is often a time when many potential home buyers decide it's time to finally put their plans into action.

And there's a bumper load of home transactions set to complete in the early months of 2025, according to research from Zoopla.

The property website has just seen the biggest pipeline of sales at the end of the year for four years. This could be a reflection of buyers and sellers returning to the market, having previously put off some moving decisions in the face of higher mortgage rates.

But when you start out looking for a new property, it can be easy to overlook some things that can be stumbling blocks later on.

Preparing in advance could help ensure smoother sailing for some would-be buyers. These expert tips could help house hunters navigate potential obstacles along the way:

1. Get your paperwork together

Self-employed borrowers may need to make particular plans when showing proof of income.

Ryan Etchells, chief operations officer at specialist mortgage lender Together, says high street lenders may want to see proof of income running back over the long-term, adding: "This can prove tricky for people who, for example, may have just started up their own business or for people such as freelancers, company directors or consultants, whose income may not be paid into their bank account on the exact same day every month."

Borrowers may also need to show their operating and travel costs as well as spending on office rental and supplies, he says.

"Having all your documents ready will help with a smooth and stress-free mortgage application process," Ryan adds.