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Your Guide to Mortgages
March 13, 2026Insurance, Buying a Home, Mortgages, Guides
Your Guide to Buying Your First Home
Your Guide to Buying Your First Home
Buying your first home is an exciting time, and it often feels like a mix of hope, nerves and big decisions. The buying process can seem complicated at first, especially if you’re a first-time buyer, but once you understand each stage it becomes far easier to navigate. This guide walks you through everything from working out how much you may be able to borrow to picking up the keys to your new home. You’ll see what lenders will look for, what a solicitor or conveyancer does, and how to prepare for the purchase before the completion date arrives.
Buying Your First Home – Step by Step
1. Know What You Can Afford
Work out how much you can borrow by checking income, spending and debts so you know the price range that feels comfortable before you start looking.
2. Get a Mortgage in Principle
An agreement in principle gives you a clear idea of what you may be able to borrow and helps estate agents take you seriously when you start viewing homes.
3. Start House Hunting
Look at homes that fit your budget, lifestyle and plans. Check the area, transport and reports so you can focus on properties that genuinely work for your future.
4. Make an Offer
Once you find the property you want to buy, make a fair offer based on local prices. When the seller accepts, it moves forward as sold subject to contract.
5. Apply for Your Mortgage
After your offer is accepted, complete your mortgage application and provide documents so lenders can assess affordability and keep the process moving smoothly.
6. Surveys and Valuations
Surveys and valuations check the home’s condition and value so you understand what you’re buying and can decide if the price reflects the property accurately.
7. Legal Support
A solicitor or conveyancer handles contracts, checks ownership and manages funds, guiding you from initial documents through to the exchange of contracts.
8. Insurance and Preparation
You need buildings insurance in place before completion. Sorting it early protects the property, avoids delays and ensures lenders can release the funds on time.
9. Completion Day
On the completion date, funds are transferred between solicitors and once confirmed, you collect the keys and officially become the owner of your new home.
10. Ongoing Support
Support continues after move-in, from remortgage advice to insurance reviews, helping first-time buyers stay confident as they settle into home ownership.
Final Words
Buying your first home is a big moment, and each stage of the buying process helps you move with clarity. From finding out how much you may be able to borrow, securing an agreement in principle, reviewing the home report, completing the legal work and preparing for the completion date, every step brings you closer to owning the property you want to buy.
Stay organised, ask questions when you need to and take it at your own pace. When the keys to your new home are finally in your hand, the effort is worth it.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or other debt secured on it.
FAQ
How do I work out how much I can borrow?
You can start by reviewing your income, debts and monthly spending. Lenders run a soft credit check to estimate how much you may be able to borrow, which will not affect your credit score. This early check gives you a realistic range and helps you focus on homes that fit your budget.
Do I need a deposit of at least 5 percent?
Most buyers need a deposit of at least 5 percent, although a larger deposit often improves your options and lowers repayments. Your savings, credit history and the type of property you choose all play a role in how lenders assess your application.
What does a solicitor or conveyancer handle?
They take care of the legal work, check contracts, confirm ownership, speak with the seller’s solicitor and manage money transfers. Their involvement ensures the purchase is legally secure and smooth from the first steps to the exchange of contracts and final completion.
What is a home report and why is it important?
A home report outlines the property’s condition, valuation and energy performance certificate. It helps home buyers understand the value of the property and spot issues early, supporting better decisions before moving ahead with the purchase.
Will getting an agreement in principle affect my credit score?
No. An agreement in principle usually uses a soft credit check, which does not affect your credit score. It simply gives lenders an early idea of how much you may be able to borrow before you apply for a mortgage.
When do I need buildings insurance?
You need to have buildings insurance in place before completion because lenders require it to protect the property you’re buying. Setting it up early keeps your mortgage application and the final purchase on schedule.
What happens on completion day?
Your lender sends funds to the seller’s solicitor. Once this is confirmed, you can pick up the keys to your new home. It marks the end of the buying process and the moment you officially own the property.
Return to our Help & Learn Guides to explore more mortgage advice and resources.
Get Started
We’re here to simplify the process and keep things modern and straightforward!
Insurance, Buying a Home, Mortgages, Guides
Your Guide to Buying Your First Home
Your Guide to Buying Your First Home
Buying your first home is an exciting time, and it often feels like a mix of hope, nerves and big decisions. The buying process can seem complicated at first, especially if you’re a first-time buyer, but once you understand each stage it becomes far easier to navigate. This guide walks you through everything from working out how much you may be able to borrow to picking up the keys to your new home. You’ll see what lenders will look for, what a solicitor or conveyancer does, and how to prepare for the purchase before the completion date arrives.
Buying Your First Home – Step by Step
1. Know What You Can Afford
Work out how much you can borrow by checking income, spending and debts so you know the price range that feels comfortable before you start looking.
2. Get a Mortgage in Principle
An agreement in principle gives you a clear idea of what you may be able to borrow and helps estate agents take you seriously when you start viewing homes.
3. Start House Hunting
Look at homes that fit your budget, lifestyle and plans. Check the area, transport and reports so you can focus on properties that genuinely work for your future.
4. Make an Offer
Once you find the property you want to buy, make a fair offer based on local prices. When the seller accepts, it moves forward as sold subject to contract.
5. Apply for Your Mortgage
After your offer is accepted, complete your mortgage application and provide documents so lenders can assess affordability and keep the process moving smoothly.
6. Surveys and Valuations
Surveys and valuations check the home’s condition and value so you understand what you’re buying and can decide if the price reflects the property accurately.
7. Legal Support
A solicitor or conveyancer handles contracts, checks ownership and manages funds, guiding you from initial documents through to the exchange of contracts.
8. Insurance and Preparation
You need buildings insurance in place before completion. Sorting it early protects the property, avoids delays and ensures lenders can release the funds on time.
9. Completion Day
On the completion date, funds are transferred between solicitors and once confirmed, you collect the keys and officially become the owner of your new home.
10. Ongoing Support
Support continues after move-in, from remortgage advice to insurance reviews, helping first-time buyers stay confident as they settle into home ownership.
Final Words
Buying your first home is a big moment, and each stage of the buying process helps you move with clarity. From finding out how much you may be able to borrow, securing an agreement in principle, reviewing the home report, completing the legal work and preparing for the completion date, every step brings you closer to owning the property you want to buy.
Stay organised, ask questions when you need to and take it at your own pace. When the keys to your new home are finally in your hand, the effort is worth it.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or other debt secured on it.
FAQ
How do I work out how much I can borrow?
You can start by reviewing your income, debts and monthly spending. Lenders run a soft credit check to estimate how much you may be able to borrow, which will not affect your credit score. This early check gives you a realistic range and helps you focus on homes that fit your budget.
Do I need a deposit of at least 5 percent?
Most buyers need a deposit of at least 5 percent, although a larger deposit often improves your options and lowers repayments. Your savings, credit history and the type of property you choose all play a role in how lenders assess your application.
What does a solicitor or conveyancer handle?
They take care of the legal work, check contracts, confirm ownership, speak with the seller’s solicitor and manage money transfers. Their involvement ensures the purchase is legally secure and smooth from the first steps to the exchange of contracts and final completion.
What is a home report and why is it important?
A home report outlines the property’s condition, valuation and energy performance certificate. It helps home buyers understand the value of the property and spot issues early, supporting better decisions before moving ahead with the purchase.
Will getting an agreement in principle affect my credit score?
No. An agreement in principle usually uses a soft credit check, which does not affect your credit score. It simply gives lenders an early idea of how much you may be able to borrow before you apply for a mortgage.
When do I need buildings insurance?
You need to have buildings insurance in place before completion because lenders require it to protect the property you’re buying. Setting it up early keeps your mortgage application and the final purchase on schedule.
What happens on completion day?
Your lender sends funds to the seller’s solicitor. Once this is confirmed, you can pick up the keys to your new home. It marks the end of the buying process and the moment you officially own the property.
Return to our Help & Learn Guides to explore more mortgage advice and resources.
Get Started
We’re here to simplify the process and keep things modern and straightforward!
