Brought to you by CCPC.

You’ve decided to buy your first house… congratssss!

A place to call your own and where no one but you calls the shots so if you want to leave your dishes in the sink for two days, it’s not a problem. Excitement levels are sky high after your first bit of online research... there's so much running through your mind... do you want a two or three bed? Floors or carpets? Room for a dog? It’s so much fun imagining all the fabulous things you’ll do to your new house but in the excitement of finally getting on the property ladder, it's all too easy to make mistakes. Here are six things to help you work it like a pro, even though it's your first time.

1. Get your finances in order

Banks will ask for six to twelve months of statements when you apply for a loan so the way your current account looks is very important. No more frivolous spending or paying for that round of drinks on your card. As well as saving for a deposit, getting your finances in shape will make it easier to qualify for a mortgage and get the lowest rates. The CCPC mortgage comparison tool should help you out with this - the tool allows you to find the cheapest rates & fees for your mortgage so it will be a massive help.

2. Strike while the iron’s hot

You need to have your finance approved and deposit ready so you can swoop in ahead of the competition when the right opportunity arises.

3. Know the buying process

When you’re sure you’re ready to buy, the first thing you’ll need to do is learn everything you can about the process. There’s a lot to know, and don’t get emotionally tied up, be prepared to walk away. So, if  you're on the hunt for your first pad CCPC's 'buying a home step-by-step guide' will be a great help.

4. The government want to help

Seriously! The Help to Buy (HTB) incentive is a scheme for first-time buyers which entitles you to a tax rebate of 5 percent of the value of the new home you are buying. For self-builds, it's five percent of the completion value of the property and the amount that you can claim must be less than €20,000. The total tax rebate under Help to Buy is limited to the total income tax and DIRT paid over the previous four tax years.

5. Take your time

When you’re looking for a new home to buy, it can feel like you’re pressed to make an offer on any home you’re interested in right now. Relax and take your time shopping around until you find the home that you’ll love for years to come. Shop around for mortgages too, as well as homeowners insurance.

6. Beware of special offers

It's so easy to be drawn in when a seller has a financial incentive to offer on top of the purchase. When you’re deciding on your deposit and estimating your monthly payments, any help is welcome. Different lenders also have incentives like 3 percent cashback offers on mortgages for first-time buyers which could be a welcome bonus for cash-strapped buyers. Others offer to pay the cost of your legal fees but make sure you look beyond the incentive to see what's really on offer in terms of interest rates and lending terms. Don't let short-term gains distract you or you could end up paying more in the long term. Brought to you by CCPC.