Buying Your First Home

20 items · Lifestyle · Hard difficulty · 2 hours

Step-by-step checklist to buy your first home with confidence.

• Set deposit target and savings timeline

  Aim for 5–20% deposit plus a buffer for fees and emergencies.

• Calculate all upfront purchase costs

  Include stamp duty, solicitor fees, surveys, valuation, and moving costs.

• Check and correct your credit report

  Use major credit agencies and fix errors to improve mortgage chances.

• Get a mortgage in principle (agreement in principle)

  Provides an estimated loan amount and strengthens your offer.

• Gather mortgage documents (ID, payslips, statements)

  Collect 3–6 months bank statements, recent payslips, and photo ID.

• Research and appoint a solicitor or conveyancer

  Obtain quotes, check reviews, and confirm turnaround times.

• Book a property survey and choose the survey type

  Decide between condition report, homebuyer report, or full structural survey.

• Make a formal offer and negotiate price and fixtures

  Include proposed completion timeline and any fixtures to remain.

• Instruct your solicitor to start searches and prepare contracts

  Ask them to order local authority, drainage, and other required searches.

• Review survey and valuation reports and decide next steps

  Look for structural issues; consider renegotiation or additional inspections.

• Submit full mortgage application with lender

  Provide lender with survey, solicitor details, and requested documents.

• Review and sign contracts; agree completion date

  Check special conditions, completion timing, and who pays which fees.

• Exchange contracts and transfer the agreed deposit

  Deposit (commonly 5–10%) is usually paid via solicitor at exchange.

• Arrange buildings insurance to start from exchange/completion

  Lenders often require buildings cover from exchange; compare policies.

• Confirm completion logistics and book movers

  Book removal company, reserve parking, and schedule meter readings.

• Confirm mortgage funds transfer and completion payment with solicitor

  Ask your solicitor to confirm cleared funds and final balances.

• Collect keys and inspect the property on completion

  Do a final walkthrough, note issues, and record meter readings.

• Start utility transfers and set up new supplier accounts

  Contact energy, water, internet, and gas suppliers with move date.

• Set up direct debits and provide meter readings to suppliers

  Give accurate meter numbers to avoid estimated bills.

• Redirect mail and update your address across accounts

  Use postal redirect and update banks, council tax, DVLA, and subscriptions.

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