MOVING home can get a bit fraught to say the least. So the National House-Building Council has produced a checklist to help buyers tackle the sometimes stressful business of buying a new home.

The checklist includes:

Finances - work out a realistic budget, find out about the different mortgages on offer and decide which type would best suit you. You might want to consider getting professional financial advice.

Location - Think about the type of area you where you would like to live and make sure your chosen locality fits your lifestyle.

House hunting - to find out about new developments pick up a copy of your local property guide or check out house builder websites. Prepare a shortlist for visits and have a look around. Show homes will give you a good idea of size and design.

Check for a warranty - most new properties will be protected by a 10-year warranty like NHBC's Buildmark Cover. To check that your builder is registered with the NHBC, use the search facility on its website www.nhbc.co.uk or contact NHBC customer services on 01494 735363. Make sure your solicitor checks that the home is fully covered before agreeing a purchase.

The 10-year Buildmark Cover protects homes in three stages:

It protects against loss of deposit if the builder becomes insolvent before a home is finished.

During the first two years of cover the builder is responsible for repairing any defects reported to him in writing.

In years 3-10 homes are covered for structural defects as well as additional specific items.

Quality - keep an eye out for awards. Special site boards and flags will let you know if a development has been built by an NHBC Pride In the Job winning site manager.

Realistic time-scales - it is natural to want to move as quickly as possible but be realistic about time-scales and moving dates, especially if you are part of a long chain.

Official business - make sure that you get all the important items sorted out.

Formally apply for a mortgage, appoint a solicitor, arrange home and contents insurance for your new house and put down a buyer's deposit.