First-time buyer guide UK: How to buy your first home

Your step-by-step guide to buying your first home

So you've decided to buy your first home. It's one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make, and the process can feel overwhelming. Mortgages, solicitors, surveys, stamp duty. It all lands on you at once.

This guide breaks it all down into simple, jargon-free steps. Whether you're just starting to save or ready to make an offer, you'll find everything you need to know right here.

Step one: work out your budget before looking at tiles

Before you fall in love with a house that costs more than your lifetime Netflix subscription, you need a clear understanding of your budget:

Start with your deposit:

• The magic number is at least 5% of the purchase price.
• If you can manage a 10-20% deposit, you’ll have access to better mortgage rates.
• On a £268,000 property*, that’s £13,400 (5%) or £26,800-£53,600 (10-20%).

*average UK house prices in February 2026 according to the Gov.uk, Office for National Statistics and HM Land Registry.

Understand affordability:

• Most lenders offer between 4 to 4.5x your annual income.
• Joint applicants? Both incomes count.
• Reduce debts before applying; every credit card and loan counts against what you can borrow.
• Factor in regular expenses — lenders do.

Check your credit score early:

• Use free services like ClearScore, Experian, or Credit Karma to check your credit score.
• Correct mistakes before applying for a mortgage.
• A healthy score means thousands saved in interest; higher the score, lower the rates.

Factor in hidden costs:

• Stamp Duty as a FTB is 0% up to £300k, 5% from £300,001-£500k. You can use the HMRC stamp duty calculator for more information.
• Solicitor fees are usually between £800 and £1,500 - compare conveyancing costs before committing to get the best price.
• Survey costs can be anything from £325 to £1,750, depending on the type of property survey and the number of bedrooms.
• Removal costs are hard to estimate and depends on how many items you move and how far you travel. The average cost for a two-bedroom house is £1,300.
• New furniture and repairs, because that “move-in ready” home sometimes needs a new boiler or a lick of paint.

Before you make an offer, make sure you've accounted for all the additional costs involved. Our complete guide to the hidden costs of buying a house covers every fee from conveyancing to removals with up-to-date figures.

And a few extras:

• Arrangement fees (£0-£1,500).
• Valuation fees (£150-£500).
• Early repayment charges — these can bite if you plan to move or refinance soon.

Mortgages: your ticket to home ownership

Understanding mortgages is not for the faint of heart; it’s like another language, but here’s a quick decode:

• Fixed rate: The interest rate remains the same for the agreed term (usually 2 to 5 years). Great for budgeting, no surprises.
• Variable rate: Rate changes with the lender’s standard rate — sometimes cheaper, sometimes not.
• Tracker: The rate goes up or down according to the Bank of England base rate (and we all know how that goes).

Get an Agreement in Principle (AIP) before house-hunting. An AIP is a lender’s promise (subject to checks) that they’ll likely offer you a certain amount — this not only allows you to budget appropriately, but it’s your golden ticket to show sellers you’re serious about buying.

Use a mortgage calculator to get a rough idea of monthly repayments before speaking to a lender. It will help you narrow down your budget and avoid wasting time viewing properties outside your range.

Should you use a mortgage broker?

A mortgage broker searches the market on your behalf to find the best deal for your circumstances. This is particularly useful if you're a first-time buyer with a smaller deposit or have a complicated income situation. A good broker has the ability to access deals that aren't available directly to the public, and can handle much of the paperwork on your behalf.

There are two types: fee-free brokers (who are paid by the lender) and fee-charging brokers (who may offer a wider range of products). Always ask upfront how they're paid. While you don't have to use a broker, many first-time buyers find them invaluable for navigating the mortgage market with confidence.

Government schemes & incentives (a.k.a free-ish money)

While the famous Help to Buy scheme has dried out, other options remain:

• Lifetime ISA (LISA): Save up to £4,000 per year and the government adds a 25% bonus. That’s £1,000 free money annually, which can be used towards your first home or retirement.
• First Homes Scheme: Certain new builds are sold at 30-50% below market value to local first-time buyers and key workers — you need to be eligible to apply.
• Shared Ownership: Buy 25-75% of a property and pay rent on the rest. You can buy more shares later (called “staircasing”).

The house hunt: what to look for (and what to avoid)

When viewing properties, make sure you’re paying attention to the whole package and not just the styled home. Weigh your must-haves vs nice-to-haves; it’s impossible to tick everything from your dream wish list.

Choosing the right location:

• Commute times & transport links: How long are you willing to travel?
• Amenities: Shops, schools, parks, gyms, and local markets.
• Noise: Visit at different times of the day. That peaceful street might turn into a racetrack after 6pm.
• Future potential: planned developments can add property value.

House viewing tips:

• Check the boiler age and service history.
• Look for damp or mould (peeling wallpaper can be a clue).
• Test taps and light switches.
• Peek into the loft or cellar (seriously, insulation matters)
• Look at the EPC rating. A cold house is not cosy in February, no matter how instagrammable.
• Check storage space (tiny cupboards aren’t a vibe).
• Meet the neighbours and check noise levels.

Leasehold vs freehold: what's the difference?

When buying a property, you'll either own it freehold (you own the building and the land it sits on outright) or leasehold (you own the property for a fixed term but not the land beneath it). Most houses are freehold; many flats are leasehold.

If you're buying a leasehold property, check the remaining lease length carefully. Anything under 80 years can make the property harder to mortgage and more expensive to extend. Service charges and ground rent are also worth scrutinising before you commit.

Making the offer and starting the Conveyancing process

Making an offer:

• Research similar local sales, not just asking prices.
• Use your Agreement in Principle to back your offer.
• Be prepared to negotiate.

Conveyancing:

Hire a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to handle contracts and legal checks. If you're not sure where to start, you can compare conveyancing quotes from regulated professionals in minutes.

Your solicitor will:

• Check the title deeds.
• Arrange local searches (flood risk, planning permissions, etc.).
• Liaise with the seller’s solicitor to handle contracts and transfer funds.

🔍Use our conveyancing quote comparison tool to compare conveyancer costs and review trusted conveyancers.

Surveys: the property health check

Types of surveys:

• Condition Report: basic, for newer homes.
• HomeBuyer’s Report: mid-level, for standard properties — popular option amongst home buyers.
• Complete Structural Survey: comprehensive report, best for older or unusual properties.

When your survey report arrives, it can feel overwhelming. Our guide to reading a home survey report walks you through exactly what the ratings mean and what to do next.

Not sure which survey is right for your property? Visit our surveying page to compare options and get quotes from regulated surveyors.

🔍Get multiple quotes with our surveyor comparison tool before booking your property survey.

Exchange, completion & keys in hand

Exchange of contracts:

• You and the seller are now legally bound to progress with the transaction.
• You will need Building’s Insurance, as you’re now responsible for the property, which is required by most lenders.
• You’ll pay your deposit (at least 5%).
• Agree on a completion date.

At exchange you are legally committed to the purchase. Pulling out after this point means losing your deposit, so make sure all searches, surveys and mortgage offers are in place beforehand.

Moving day and settling in

Before moving:

• Book removals early. Use our removals quote tool to find local removals and get prices.
• Switch utilities into your name.
• Redirect your post via Royal Mail.
• Set up broadband — some providers need weeks’ notice.

First-week essentials:

• Kettle, mugs, tea, bottled water (non-negotiable).
• Toilet roll and cleaning supplies.
• Spare light bulbs and batteries.
• Takeaway menus (seriously, you’ll thank us later!).

Common mistakes first-time buyers make (and how to avoid them)

• Overstretching budget: Interest rates can change; your salary might not — leave a safety margin.
• Ignoring lease terms: A lease under 80 years can cause mortgage issues — some lenders go all the way to denying under 100 years.
• Skipping property surveys: Any problems found after purchase = Your problem. What you don’t know will hurt you.

Your first home awaits

Buying your first home in the UK is a big commitment — financially, emotionally, and sometimes in terms of DIY skills you didn’t know you had. But with a solid budget, a realistic approach, and a healthy dash of patience, you’ll go from renter to homeowner without unnecessary drama.

So go ahead and start researching, get your Agreement in Principle, and remember, it’s not just about bricks and mortar, it’s about finding a place to call home.

Ready to take the next step?

Once you've found your property and had an offer accepted, the next step is getting your conveyancing and surveys sorted.

Moving Compared makes it easy to compare quotes from vetted professionals to save you time and potentially thousands of pounds. Compare conveyancing quotes, get surveying quotes, or compare removal companies all in one place.