Buying your first home can feel overwhelming. It’s not just about finding a place you love. You also need to understand the process, make informed decisions, and be ready for the many steps that come with purchasing property. Whether you’re months away from moving or just starting to explore, this checklist will give you a clear plan to follow.
Here’s how to make sure nothing gets missed.
Contents
1. Work Out What You Can Afford
Before browsing listings or scheduling viewings, it’s essential to know your budget. This goes far beyond the property price.
Think about:
- Deposit – You’ll usually need at least 5 to 10% of the property’s value.
- Mortgage – Lenders will assess your income, debts, spending habits, and credit score.
- Extra costs – Include stamp duty (if applicable), surveys, removals, insurance, and solicitor fees.
Use your income, savings, and any financial support to get a clear picture. Then check what sort of mortgage offers might be available within that range. Don’t forget monthly repayments and bills once you’ve moved in.
2. Hire a Solicitor for Conveyancing
Once your offer is accepted, you’ll need a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to handle the legal work. This is not something you can do yourself. Instead, the team at Andrew & Andrew Solicitors will be able to make sure that everything is handled correctly.
Your solicitor will:
- Check legal ownership and property boundaries
- Handle contracts and paperwork
- Deal with the Land Registry
- Arrange the transfer of funds
- Liaise with the seller’s solicitor throughout
Ask for a clear quote early on. Some solicitors charge a flat rate, while others bill based on the property’s value. Make sure their fees include things like local searches, bank transfers, and stamp duty paperwork. You don’t want surprise charges halfway through.
3. Get a Mortgage Agreement in Principle
A mortgage agreement in principle (also called a decision in principle) is a statement from a lender showing how much they might be willing to lend you. It’s not a guarantee, but it does give you credibility when making an offer.
Estate agents often ask if you have one before arranging viewings or accepting offers. It shows you’re serious and financially ready.
Although it isn’t binding, getting this step done early helps you stay within realistic limits and speeds up the process once you find a home you want.
4. Start Viewing Properties
Now comes the exciting part. With your budget set and paperwork in motion, you can start viewing homes.
Be prepared to view a mix of properties. Some might look perfect online but feel completely different in person. Others might not look amazing at first glance but offer more potential than you’d expect.
While viewing:
- Check for signs of damp, cracks, or leaks
- Ask about the boiler, electrics, and insulation
- Find out how long the property has been on the market
- Explore the surrounding area at different times of day
Take your time and don’t feel pressured to rush. First impressions matter, but it’s also important to think practically.
5. Make an Offer
Once you’ve found a place you like, decide how much you’re willing to pay. Look at what similar homes in the area have sold for recently and think about how competitive the market is.
You can offer below the asking price, match it, or go above, depending on the situation. Just make sure your offer reflects the condition of the property and your own budget. Once the seller accepts, things start moving quickly.
At this stage, you’ll also need to formally apply for your mortgage.
6. Arrange a Property Survey
A survey is your chance to get the property checked over by a professional. It isn’t the same as a mortgage valuation. This one is for your benefit.
There are different levels of surveys, depending on how much detail you want. At the very least, it’s worth having a basic survey to check for structural problems or hidden issues.
More detailed surveys are a good idea for older homes, unusual buildings, or properties in need of renovation.
7. Carry Out Legal Checks and Searches
Your solicitor will carry out various searches to ensure there are no nasty surprises later on. These checks can uncover:
- Planning issues or restrictions
- Flood risks
- Rights of way or access problems
- Outstanding legal disputes
Although you won’t have to do these yourself, it’s useful to understand what’s happening during this part of the process. If anything concerning comes up, you may be able to renegotiate the price or reconsider entirely.
8. Get Buildings Insurance
Once contracts are exchanged, you’re legally responsible for the property. That means you’ll need to have buildings insurance in place from that point, not from the day you move in.
It covers damage to the structure of your home from things like fire, floods, or storms. If you’re buying with a mortgage, the lender will usually require this.
9. Exchange Contracts
This is when everything becomes legally binding. Up until this point, either side can still back out. Once contracts are exchanged:
- You pay the deposit (usually 10%)
- A completion date is set
- The sale becomes official
From here, it’s just a matter of getting ready for moving day. Most completions happen within a week or two of exchange, but this can vary depending on the chain.
10. Complete and Move In
Completion is the day ownership is transferred and you get the keys. Your solicitor will handle the transfer of funds and confirm everything is final. Once that’s done, you’re officially a homeowner.
Arrange your removals, redirect post, set up utilities, and enjoy your new space. Even if things have felt complicated along the way, that first step inside your new home will make it all worth it.
The Finish Line Isn’t the End
Becoming a homeowner is a big milestone, but it’s also just the beginning. The real value in owning your own place comes from the life you build there. From saving for the deposit to dealing with contracts and keys, you’ve done the hard part.
Now it’s time to settle in, make it your own, and enjoy the freedom of having a space that belongs to you.
