How to Buy a House: First Time Buyer Guide
A complete, step-by-step walkthrough of buying your first home in the UK — from saving a deposit and getting a mortgage agreement in principle, right through to exchange and picking up the keys.
Your Step-by-Step First Home Roadmap
Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make. Follow this structured roadmap to move through the process with confidence, from your very first savings goal to the day you get the keys.
The First Time Buyer Process
Five essential stages to buying your first home
Assess Your Finances and Save a Deposit
Work out what you can realistically afford, check your credit report for errors, and build up a deposit — most lenders require a minimum of 5% of the purchase price, though more unlocks better rates.
Get a Mortgage Agreement in Principle
Speak to a mortgage broker or lender to obtain an Agreement in Principle (AIP). This shows estate agents and sellers that you’re a credible, affordable buyer before you start viewing.
House Hunt and Make an Offer
View properties within your budget and target area. Once you find the right home, submit an offer through the estate agent, and negotiate if needed.
Instruct a Solicitor and Apply for Your Mortgage
Appoint a conveyancing solicitor to handle the legal work, submit your full mortgage application, and arrange a property survey to check for structural issues.
Exchange Contracts and Complete
Once searches, surveys, and mortgage offers are finalised, you exchange contracts to make the purchase legally binding, then complete on moving day and collect your keys.
First Time Buyer Checklist
Ensure these boxes are ticked before you start viewing
Typical First Time Buyer Timeline
A summary of the key stages in a standard UK house purchase, from offer acceptance to completion.
| Stage | What Happens | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Offer Accepted | Solicitors instructed; mortgage application submitted | 1 week |
| Survey & Valuation | Lender’s valuation and independent property survey carried out | 1–2 weeks |
| Searches | Local authority, environmental, and water searches completed | 2–4 weeks |
| Mortgage Offer | Formal mortgage offer issued by the lender | 2–4 weeks |
| Exchange of Contracts | Contracts signed and exchanged; purchase becomes legally binding | 1 week |
| Completion | Funds transferred, keys collected, move-in day | 1–2 weeks after exchange |
First Time Buyer FAQ
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about buying your first home in the UK.
Most lenders require a minimum deposit of 5% of the property’s purchase price, though some first time buyer schemes allow slightly less. A larger deposit of 10% to 15% or more usually unlocks a wider choice of lenders and better interest rates.
A Mortgage Agreement in Principle (AIP), also called a Decision in Principle, is a document from a lender stating how much they would likely lend you based on an initial check of your income and credit history. It is not a guaranteed offer, but it shows estate agents and sellers that you are a credible buyer.
The process from having an offer accepted to completion typically takes 8 to 12 weeks in England and Wales, though it can take longer if there are delays in the property chain, mortgage processing, or local authority searches.
First time buyers in England and Northern Ireland benefit from Stamp Duty relief on properties up to a set price threshold, with a reduced rate applying above that up to a higher threshold. Scotland and Wales operate their own separate first time buyer reliefs under LBTT and LTT respectively.