THE BUYERS GUIDE - LONDON PROPERTY INSIGHTS
As a first time buyer, its important to look beyond the nice interior, heres a checklist of everything you need to consider for your first property investment.
Buying your first home is exciting - new beginnings, Pinterest boards, imagining where the sofa will go.
But as a first-time buyer, there’s one mindset shift that can quietly change your financial future:
Your first home is also your first property investment.
A beautiful interior matters, but it’s rarely what determines whether a property grows in value or becomes a long-term asset. Below is a simple checklist I use when assessing properties, and it’s one every first-time buyer should understand before making an offer.
1. Location (Zoom out before you zoom in)
Instead of asking “Do I like this street?”, ask:
Is demand strong here, now and in 10 years?
Is it walkable to transport, shops, schools, or green space?
Are there upcoming developments or regeneration plans nearby?
You can renovate a kitchen. You can’t move a property.
2. Layout & fundamentals
Ignore furniture and décor, focus on:
Room sizes and natural light
Storage potential
Whether the layout could be improved later (even subtly)
Well-proportioned homes tend to age better in value than trend-led interiors.
3. The numbers (even if you don’t plan to invest… yet)
You don’t need to become a spreadsheet expert, but you should understand:
What similar properties sold for recently
How much rent the property could realistically achieve
Whether the price reflects the condition and location
This gives you confidence that you’re not overpaying - even if this is “just” your home.
Paid subscribers get the numbers broken down for them on two opportunities each week -clearly and without the crazy jargon.
4. Building health
Pretty finishes can hide expensive problems.
Always check:
Lease length (for flats)
Service charges & ground rent
Signs of damp, poor maintenance, or upcoming major works
Boring questions now = fewer regrets later.
5. Exit options
Even if you plan to stay for years, ask yourself:
Would this appeal to other buyers?
Could it rent easily if your plans change?
Does it work for more than one type of buyer?
Flexibility protects you.
The takeaway
Buying your first home doesn’t mean sacrificing emotion, it means balancing it with clarity.
The strongest first-time buyer purchases are homes you enjoy living in and feel confident holding long term.
If you want help spotting those opportunities in real time, the paid version of The Buyer’s Guide — by Maia unlocks two curated property opportunities in London each week and they’re first time buyer certified.
Talk soon,
Maia