It’s probably the biggest purchase you’ll make in your private life. You will be tied to the deal for years. If you can save £20,000, that is equivalent to earning an extra £25,000 (if you pay 20% tax). You need to be able to negotiate well, the playing field is not level – they are using an estate agent whose job it is to negotiate on their behalf, and this is what they do day in, day out in this very area.