First Time Buyers: To buy, or not to buy… that is the question
October 6, 2009 | In: Buying | By: Lorna Poustie | 2 Comments » | Tweet This!
6
Oct
2009
Ok… let’s get a few things straight. I’m 23, I’ve never owned a house, I’ve only just flown the nest, and the prospect of being a ‘grown up’ and renting is a scary one.
Feel like you know me?
No? Well, I’m 5 foot 2, and look suspiciously like the picture of me to the right.
Better?
Good.
So then, this new fangled property website comes along to me and asks me to write for them. Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Apart from rubbish puns, like the title, and inaccurate stick men self portraits, I have relatively little to offer, right?
Well I hope not, because otherwise this would be a very short article. I am “The first time buyer”. According to Google images, I look like this. Only we know that’s wrong. We’ve seen a picture of me, and I don’t own a tiny little house that I carry around with me. But tiny house, or no tiny house, I personally believe Estate Agents have this sixth sense when it comes to first time buyers. They smell the fear on us. They know that really we don’t have a big enough deposit saved up, they know we don’t know exactly what we’re looking for, and above all else, they know they can pull the wool over our eyes. However, with a shock of tangerine coloured hair like mine, the wool might be better served over their eyes.
So what has this article taught us?
- I can’t draw very well in ‘Paint’
- Estate agents have a very good sense of smell and…
- I can’t even think of three worthwhile things to put in a list.
So now that you know me, you can, if you want to (I’m not forcing you, honest) follow my trials and tribulations on my quest to one day become a property owner. Hopefully I’ll learn something along this path.
If I don’t, I’ll just paint you pretty pictures.
P.S I would like to add that, unlike my drawing, in real life my head is attached to my body.

Lorna Poustie is a freelance writer trying to get a foot on the property ladder. Follow her trials and tribulations in her regular column on BeTheMiddleman.com.
2 Responses to First Time Buyers: To buy, or not to buy… that is the question
Paul Reeves
October 6th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
@Lorna – Hello, I understand your fears – I have been taking all buyer types through the trials and tribulations of the home buying process for the last 12 years or so. As an independent financial adviser, I don’t just arrange the finance, but I make myself the first port of call for an enquiry.
The main thing to remember is that an estate agent, by definition has to act in the vendors best interest at all times, but there is a game to be played in getting what you want. As a first time buyer you are the cream of the crop, a seller’s dream. The main reason is because you have no chain, you are excited and are unlikely to renege on the deal. You have power, the most you will ever have, but it’s how you use it to your advantage – so yes it can be a little daunting, but let’s not forget the strengths you have. Estate agents are there for the taking!! Are you ready??
Gary
October 6th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
@Paul
Completely agree. What first time buyers don’t have is experience, experience in buying, the process, dealing with agents, answering questions and so on. It is then ironic when you say she has the power, I doubt Lorna or any other FTB would ‘feel’ that, or be able to use it to the full advantage.