First time buyers guide

What an exciting time. Buying your first home can feel a little overwhelming — but we'll take it step-by-step. From getting a mortgage to making an offer, we’re here to help guide you through. 

Costs involved in buying a house

When it comes to buying your first home, it’s all about being prepared — especially when it comes to finances. Let’s look at the upfront costs and the ongoing ones. 

Upfront costs

The biggest costs you’ll run into when buying are the one-time, upfront costs. Don’t worry, we have guides for each. 

The deposit: As little as 5%, but normally more like 15%-20%. Learn more in our mortgage guide. 

Stamp duty: A land transfer tax on properties above £250,000 — the rate varies depending on the price of the property. Check out our stamp duty guide for more. 

Solicitors fees: Normally around £850-£1,500, but we offer a flat-fee service. It’s all there in our solicitors’ fees guide. 

Getting a mortgage

If you think you can afford to buy, the first step is usually a mortgage. How do you get a mortgage — and how do you know you’ve found the right one? Here’s what you need to know. 

Do you have a big enough deposit?

In most cases, you’ll need at least a 5% deposit to get on the housing ladder — but the average deposit amount is about 16%. The bigger the deposit you put down, the less you have to borrow — which can save you thousands of pounds in interest payments in the long run. 

What type of mortgage should you choose?

There are a lot of different types of mortgages out there. Interest-only mortgages, repayment mortgages, fixed-rate tracker mortgages — it can feel like a lot of information to take in, but it’s more straightforward than you think. For most people, a repayment mortgage is the most straightforward option. When in doubt, a broker or mortgage advisor can talk you through your options. 

When looking at mortgages, try to ignore the jargon. A fixed-rate mortgage is exactly what it sounds like — you have one fixed interest rate for the entire mortgage. An interest-only mortgage is also what it sounds like — you’re only paying the interest on the loan, not the repaying the loan itself. It’s that simple. 

Give yourself the best chance

Look at your income

A lender will normally loan you about four times your income — this is called your loan-to-income ratio. Maximizing your income means securing a bigger loan. 

Check your credit score

Credit scores are also key, so it’s worth making sure there are no mistakes on your credit report. 

Look at your savings and outgoings

Normally lenders will  “stress test” you for any changes that might come up to make sure you can afford the payments. Savings, outgoings — your general finances are important, so take some time and sit down with your bank statements. 

Mortgage fees to look out for

Arrangement fees, booking fees, valuation fees, transfer fees — there are a lot of little fees that can crop up along the way. Be sure to read the fine print. 

You should also be aware of early repayment fees. Some lenders charge you extra for paying your mortgage down faster than expected. 

Have more questions? Don’t worry — check out our complete mortgage guide for more information. 

Finding the right property

Finally, the fun part — property hunting. How do you find the right property for you? Well, it’s a balance between your head and your heart — or maybe we should say it’s a balance between your wallet and your heart.

Firstly, look at your budget and the locations you are interested in. Location is probably the biggest factor when it comes to price, so try to work out a location you love and that you can afford. 

Looking at transport links, schools, local parks and amenities (and pubs, of course), can help you find your sweet spot. 

Viewing the property

Be sure to check the condition of the property — structural issues or plumbing problems could end up costing you a lot. You can take your time with it. 

Check if the home meets your needs, that it has the right number of bedrooms, and the right use of space that works for you. Most importantly, don’t feel rushed by whoever’s showing you around. You’re in control, so ask any questions you might have. 

Ready to view? Check out our full viewing guide with a home viewing checklist to get you ready for your first visit. 

How to make an offer on your home

It’s time to strike. Unless you’re buying directly, the estate agent will put in the offer for you. They can help you come up with a number, but ultimately up to you. Here’s what you need to keep in mind.

Before submitting

Decide on your bidding strategy. Some people like to go in with a low-ball and work their way up, others like to go in with their highest possible offer right off the bat. 

You can try to work out from the estate agent how open the seller is to offers, but they normally keep their lips pretty sealed. But a good estate agent will help guide you through making an offer. 

From offer to completion

Once your offer is accepted, there’s still work to be done. You might want to have a survey done to make sure the property is in good condition and then you’ll exchange contracts, which means you both have a legal obligation to go through with the sale, and transfer a deposit. 

The average time from offer to completion is about 12 weeks, though it can be much faster if both you and the seller are keen. This is also a period where things can go wrong — you’ll have to sure up your financing, you might have to negotiate over details like white goods or the moving date. A good estate agent will work with your lawyer and do most of the legwork for you, so it’s important you’re working with someone you trust. 

Moving in

Most people can move in on the same day as completion, but you’ll have to wait until the estate agent has confirmed receipt of funds and released the keys. There are a few different ways you can move. 

Total DIY

You pack everything up, you rent a van, you bribe some friends to help in exchange for pizza. It’s a lot of work, but it’s a great way to move on the cheap. You'll just be paying for packing supplies and a van rental, if you need one.

Hire professional movers

You take care of the packing, but you hire a van and movers to load, transport, and unload your belongings. The cost will depend on how much you have and how far you’re moving, but this is probably the most common moving option. It means that you do some of the work, but leave the heavy lifting to the professionals.

The full package

Most moving companies will have a full-service option, where they take care of all of the materials, packing, and unpacking. It’s not cheap — in fact, you could spend thousands of pounds — but you do get to just sit back and relax. 

Once the moving is done, then you can really pop the champagne. Or just make a cup of tea. We won’t judge. 

Life admin and setting up

There is a lot of life admin that comes with moving — even just changing your address. The Royal Mail also offers a temporary redirection service which can be handy for making sure any post finds its way to you while you update your address.

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