The guide top ten: House-hunting? Well, give these a try before you buy

EACH week, The Scotsman gives you a top ten guide to pertinent financial issues. Buying a house is a very different proposition after two years of subdued housing market activity, with mortgage funding harder to secure, especially for first-time buyers, and low prices deterring sellers. Lesley Kerr and Linda Sharp, property associates at McKay Norwell WS in Edinburgh, offer their top tips on buying a home in the current climate.

1 PREPARE A STRATEGY A solicitor will be required to submit your offer, so it's best to start early – contact your solicitor even before you start viewing. They will discuss buying options, provide a good indication of what's available within one's budget and help put you in the direction of the "right" property.

2 SECURE FUNDING Prior to even starting to view, ensure you have acceptance in principle of mortgage finance; in the current raw financial climate, even people in secure employment or with substantial deposits should not presume their mortgage application will be approved. This is important for anyone intending to purchase a house on borrowed money, but particularly first-time buyers.

3 HOME REPORT Ask for a copy from the vendor – they've been compulsory for most residential property placed on the Scottish market since 1 December, 2008. The report will contain an estimated value of the property, but you should be aware that this will not necessarily be the market value, which may be higher or lower depending on demand.

4 SEE THE LIGHT Anyone viewing properties from now until the clocks go forward at the end of March should do so during the daytime; never offer for a property that has been viewed only at dusk or, worse still, in darkness. Also, don't be afraid to ask for a second or even a third viewing. Attend an open viewing, rather than make an appointment. You will see if there are others viewing and this may give an indication of the level of interest from other parties, which, to some extent, should help you decide on the size of your offer.

5 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH Don't just look at the property – suss out the immediate area (preferably incognito). What seemed like a pleasant, peaceful setting on a Sunday afternoon may be different at other times of the day or week. This should provide a good idea about local traffic, children, noise levels, the lifestyles of other residents and so on.

6 A LITTLE EXTRA The vendor's schedule should make clear what complementary items (eg, white goods, curtains) are included in the price and what are not. If there is any doubt, ask. One increasingly common side issue is the wall-mounted, flat-screen television. If the vendor intends taking it with him, ensure that any damaged decor caused by the mountings will be returned to pristine condition.

7 BE PRICE CONSCIOUS By all means ask your solicitor to negotiate a price in your favour, but don't resort to making an unrealistic (and especially not an insulting) offer as it will create the wrong atmosphere between yourself and the vendor and may scupper a deal. Conversely, do not get carried away and submit a price that is unnecessarily excessive and which you cannot afford.

8 SELL BEFORE YOU BUY This advice is particularly apt if other properties for sale in your existing locality are "sticking". Sellers are happier to accept an offer from a prospective purchaser who has already sold or who does not have a property to sell.

There is no hard-and-fast rule at present but, in general terms, sales in "prime" locations are faster than others, so if you find the ideal property at an affordable price, it may be worth taking the plunge and buying first if your current home is in a "good" area.

Check if your property is suitable for letting out, as this provides an alternative option should a buyer not come along.

9 CLOSING DATES Somewhat thin on the ground at present, but they still happen. When a vendor's solicitor sets a closing date for offers, it means he has received at least two serious notes of interest in the property and very possibly more. So, once this happens, it's really "make your mind up time".

10 MOVE-IN DATE Try to come and go with the vendor on the issue of obtaining the keys, as it might swing the purchase in your favour. When the two highest offers for a property are relatively close financially, it is sometimes the case that the lower of the two is accepted if it provides a moving-in date most convenient to the vendor.