Introduction
Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make—and if I’m honest, it can feel overwhelming at times. The process isn’t always quick or straightforward, but there’s a good reason for that.
I’ve put this guide together to walk you through the key steps, highlight where people often get caught out, and help you move forward with a bit more confidence.
1. Understanding Your Finances
Before you even start looking at properties, it’s really important to understand where you stand financially.
Credit history – what’s the difference?
A lot of people talk about “credit scores”, but what lenders actually care about is your credit report—this is the detailed history of how you’ve managed credit over time.
Your credit score is just a number that gives a rough indication of this, but different lenders score things differently.
If you’re not sure what you’re looking at or where to check this properly, just get in touch – I’m happy to point you in the right direction.
Work out your budget
This isn’t just about what you can borrow—it’s about what you can comfortably afford every month. Look at your income, outgoings, and lifestyle to determine what you can comfortably afford.
This is exactly what I work through with my clients. My job doesn’t stop when you get the keys—I want to make sure you can keep them, without putting yourself under financial pressure.
Saving your deposit
Your deposit is a percentage of the purchase price, so it’s important to factor in all the other costs first—then work out what you’ve got left as a lump sum.
Also worth noting:
Your deposit can’t be a loan. It needs to be money you genuinely have (either savings or a gifted deposit, depending on the situation).
Additional costs to budget for
Alongside your deposit, there are a few extra costs to keep in mind. As a rough guide:
- Solicitor / conveyancing: £800 – £1,500+
- Survey: £300 – £1,000+ (depending on level)
- Mortgage fees (if applicable): £0 – £1,000+
- Stamp Duty:
As of 7th April 2026, first-time buyers currently pay:- 0% up to £425,000
- 5% on the portion between £425,001 and £625,000 (please be aware this is the same across the whole of the UK – there are no higher thresholds for properties in London!)
- Moving costs:
These can vary massively depending on what you choose—whether you’re hiring a van yourself or going for full packing services, boxes, materials, and distance all make a difference.
2. Getting Mortgage Ready
Get an Agreement in Principle (AIP)
This is basically your starting point with a lender. It gives you a rough idea of what you might be able to borrow—but it’s not guaranteed. It’s subject to further checks, documents, and underwriting.
Think of it as your working budget so you can start your search with confidence.
3. Start Looking Around
Once you’ve got your AIP in place, you can start having a proper look at what’s out there and register with local estate agents.
If you’re anything like me and a bit impatient… just a heads up—the whole process can feel long-winded. But it’s all there for a reason.
And honestly, you never know when the right property is going to come onto the market.
4. Viewing Properties
Take your time with viewings—it’s very easy for properties to blur into one.
Top tip: Instead of just taking photos, take a video. Start at the front door and do a full walk-through of the property. It makes it so much easier to go back and review later. Photos only show small sections, and it’s surprisingly hard to remember everything after a few viewings.
5. Making an Offer
When you find the right property:
- Look at similar properties nearby to understand value
- Put your offer forward through the estate agent
- Be prepared for a bit of back and forth
This part can move quickly—or take time—depending on the situation.
6. Solicitors & Conveyancing
Once your offer is accepted, things start moving behind the scenes.
You’ll appoint a solicitor or conveyancer, who will handle:
- Legal checks
- Property searches
- Contracts
This is also when surveys are carried out to make sure there are no hidden surprises.
7. Finalising Your Mortgage
This is where things start to come together—but it’s also where a lot of detail is involved.
Your lender will:
- Carry out a valuation
- Review all your documents
- Issue your formal mortgage offer
This is where I’m very hands-on with my clients. I’ll guide you through the paperwork, explain anything that doesn’t make sense, chase where needed, and basically hold your hand through the whole process to keep things moving and as stress-free as possible.
8. Exchange & Completion
The final stage—where it all becomes real.
Exchange of contracts
This is when everything becomes legally binding, and your deposit is paid.
Completion day
Funds are transferred, and you get the keys to your new home.
Final Thoughts
Buying your first home can feel like a lot—but you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. With the right support and a clear plan, it becomes much more manageable (and a lot less stressful).
Need a hand getting started?
If you’re thinking about buying your first home and want to understand your options, feel free to reach out.
Even if it’s just a quick question, I’m always happy to help.
Risk Warning:
⚠️ Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.