Everything you need to know, in the order you need to know it. From saving your deposit to getting the keys.
Before you look at a single listing, know your budget. Get a Decision in Principle (DiP) from a mortgage lender — this takes 24–48 hours and tells you exactly how much you can borrow. Also factor in your deposit (minimum 5%, ideally 10%+), solicitor fees, survey costs, and Stamp Duty.
Don't just look at property prices — look at sold prices (Land Registry data), school catchments, transport links, and price trends. OfferHound's area analysis covers all of this for any specific property you're considering.
View at least 2–3 comparable properties before making an offer — it helps you understand what good value looks like and gives you anchors for negotiation. Always view your target property twice if possible, at different times of day.
This is where most first-time buyers skip a crucial step. Before offering, understand what the property is actually worth — not just what the agent says. Use Land Registry comparables or run an OfferHound report to get a data-backed fair value.
Base your offer on evidence. State your position (chain-free, mortgage in principle ready) and make clear you're a serious buyer. Don't go in at asking price unless you've confirmed it's genuinely fair value.
Once your offer is accepted, instruct a solicitor or licensed conveyancer immediately. Good solicitors get booked up. Expect conveyancing to take 8–16 weeks. Compare at least 3 quotes.
Don't skip the survey. A RICS HomeBuyer Report (£400–£800) can reveal issues that let you renegotiate the price or walk away before it's too late. A full structural survey (£600–£1,500) is worth it for older or unusual properties.
Convert your Decision in Principle into a full mortgage application. The lender will instruct a valuation — note this is a risk check for the lender, not a survey for your benefit. You still need your own survey.
Once searches, survey and mortgage offer are in order, your solicitor will exchange contracts. At this point the sale becomes legally binding and you pay your deposit. Agree a completion date.
On completion day, your solicitor transfers the balance to the seller's solicitor. Once confirmed, you get the keys. You'll also need to pay Stamp Duty within 14 days of completion.
Get the fair value, negotiation strategy and risk data before you commit.
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