Buying your first UK home is the largest financial commitment most people make. It also has the most steps. This checklist breaks the journey into 12 months of preparation plus the active buying process — covering deposit, credit, mortgage, solicitor, offer, exchange, completion and moving day. Use it as a planning framework, not a rigid script: every purchase has wrinkles, and the timeline can stretch or compress depending on the chain and the property type.

The 12-month timeline at a glance

Month	Focus
-12	Set target price, calculate deposit, open dedicated savings account
-12 to -3	Save monthly; build credit file; manage debt; track spending
-3	Get Agreement in Principle; line up mortgage broker
-2	Start viewings; understand the local market
-1	Make offers; select conveyancer
0	Offer accepted; instruct conveyancer; submit full mortgage application
+1	Survey ordered; mortgage valuation; searches start
+2	Mortgage offer issued; enquiries replied
+3	Exchange contracts; completion 1-4 weeks later
+4	Completion; moving day; register with HM Land Registry

Month -12 to -6: Deposit and credit preparation

Set your target

Decide on a property price range and deposit percentage. A 10% deposit on £250,000 is £25,000; a 15% deposit is £37,500. Use the deposit savings goal calculator to model the timeline at different monthly contribution levels.

Open a dedicated savings account

Separate your house deposit from day-to-day spending. Best options in 2026:

• Lifetime ISA (LISA): Save up to £4,000/year; government adds 25% bonus (£1,000/year). Property must be ≤£450,000 and you must be 18-39 to open.
• Easy-access savings account: Around 4-5% AER on competitive accounts in 2026.
• Fixed-term savings: Higher rates for locking funds away 1-5 years.

Build your credit file

Lenders check your credit history. Action list:

• Register on the electoral roll at your current address.
• Use a credit card for small spending; pay in full every month.
• Keep credit card balances below 30% of limit.
• Don't apply for new credit in the 3 months before mortgage application.
• Check your file at all three credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion); correct errors.
• Settle any defaults; satisfy any County Court Judgments.

See the credit score guide for full credit prep detail.

Month -6 to -3: Financial preparation

Clean up your bank statements

Lenders look at 3-6 months of bank statements. They check:

• Income consistency (regular salary, bonuses).
• Regular outgoings (loans, credit cards, subscriptions).
• Spending patterns (gambling, overdraft use, credit card cycling).
• Source of deposit funds (long-term savings preferred).

For 3-6 months pre-application: avoid gambling transactions, avoid payday loans, avoid going into overdraft, and don't make any large unexplained deposits or withdrawals.

Reduce debt

Lenders include monthly debt repayments in the affordability calculation. Reducing or clearing credit card balances and personal loans before applying increases your maximum borrowing meaningfully. Use the affordability calculator to model the impact.

Get a mortgage broker

A whole-of-market broker has access to lenders outside the high street and can advise on application strategy. Brokers typically charge £300-£600 or receive a commission from the lender.

Month -3: Pre-purchase preparation

Get an Agreement in Principle (AIP)

An AIP is a lender's indicative offer based on a soft credit search and basic income details. It tells estate agents you're a serious buyer and gives confidence to the seller. See the agreement in principle guide for the full process.

Calculate total upfront budget

Beyond the deposit, you need cash for SDLT (if applicable), conveyancing, survey, mortgage fees, removal and immediate setup costs. Use the home buying cost calculator for the full upfront figure.

Month -2 to -1: Property search and offer

Viewings — what to inspect

• Damp around windows, exterior walls, near drains.
• Window seal condition (replacement is meaningful cost).
• Boiler age (boilers typically last 10-15 years).
• Electrical points (any visible old wiring).
• Roof condition (visible from inside loft if accessible).
• Garden and external drainage.
• Neighbourhood noise levels (visit at different times).
• Parking and access.

Make an offer

Start below asking; expect 2-3 rounds of negotiation. Show your AIP to demonstrate proceedable status. Once accepted, formally instruct your conveyancer same day to avoid delays.

Month 0: Offer accepted

Instruct your conveyancer

Same day or next day. Pay the conveyancing firm's upfront fee (typically £200-£500). Provide ID verification documents — usually passport, driver's licence and recent utility bill.

Submit full mortgage application

With offer accepted and conveyancer instructed, your broker submits the full application. The lender does a hard credit search and full income verification. Expect to provide:

• 3 months payslips (or 2 years SA302/tax computations if self-employed)
• 3 months bank statements (current account + savings)
• Proof of deposit source
• P60 (most recent year)
• Employer reference letter (sometimes)
• Photo ID
• Proof of address

Month +1: Survey, searches, valuation

Mortgage valuation

The lender's surveyor visits the property to confirm value and condition. Lender pays for basic valuation (or includes free as part of product). The valuation is purely for the lender — doesn't tell you about the property's condition.

Your own survey

Always get your own survey:

• Level 1 (Condition Report): £350-£500. Basic for newer properties.
• Level 2 (HomeBuyers Report): £500-£900. Standard for most purchases.
• Level 3 (Building Survey): £700-£1,500. For period properties and major works.

See the house survey guide for full survey selection criteria.

Searches

Your conveyancer orders local authority, water, environmental and drainage searches. Typical 2-4 weeks for results. Identifies planning enforcement, environmental risks, road schemes, contaminated land, flood risk, and similar.

Month +2: Mortgage offer and enquiries

Mortgage offer issued

Typically 2-4 weeks after full application. Offer is usually valid 6 months. See the mortgage offer guide for the conditions and what to do if delays threaten the offer expiry.

Conveyancing enquiries

Your conveyancer raises enquiries on the seller's title pack: property information form, fixtures and fittings, lease (if applicable), boundary maps, planning permissions, building regulations certificates. Replies often need 1-2 rounds before complete.

Month +3: Exchange

Once searches are clear, mortgage offer is issued, and all enquiries are satisfactorily answered, your conveyancer coordinates exchange of contracts:

1. Conveyancer confirms all parties ready.
2. 10% deposit transferred from buyer to seller's conveyancer.
3. Contracts exchanged by phone (then posted).
4. Completion date fixed (typically 1-4 weeks after exchange).
5. Transaction is now legally binding for both parties.

Buildings insurance must start at exchange (not completion) — the property is now at the buyer's risk legally.

Month +4: Completion and moving day

Completion

• Conveyancer transfers full purchase funds to seller's conveyancer.
• Seller's conveyancer confirms receipt; releases keys to estate agent.
• You collect keys; sign final paperwork.
• Your conveyancer files SDLT return within 14 days.
• HM Land Registry registers you as legal owner (4-12 weeks).

Moving day

• Confirm removal time the day before.
• Pack overnight bag for first night.
• Read utility meters; photograph readings.
• Take readings on water meter (if applicable).
• Find boiler controls, stopcock, fuse box.
• Notify council tax of move-in date.
• Forward post via Royal Mail Redirection service.
• Update electoral roll, GP, driving licence, bank, employer.

Selecting a conveyancer

Don't just go with the agent's recommendation. Compare:

• Total cost (legal fees + disbursements)
• On your lender's panel?
• How quickly they respond to emails?
• Recent reviews (Google, Trustpilot)
• Online client portal availability
• Stage payment vs fixed fee

Use the conveyancing fees calculator to estimate cost.

Common first-time buyer mistakes

• Underestimating upfront costs. Many buyers focus only on deposit and forget SDLT, legal fees, survey, removal.
• Stretching to maximum mortgage. Affordability tests are calibrated to current rates — when fix ends, payments may rise meaningfully.
• Not getting your own survey. The lender's valuation isn't a survey.
• Ignoring leasehold terms. Service charges, ground rent and lease length materially affect ongoing cost and resale.
• Changing job mid-application. Lenders often require 6+ months in current role for new applications.
• Missing AIP expiry. AIPs typically last 30-90 days. Re-issue if property search drags on.
• Not reading the title deeds. Restrictive covenants can prevent extensions, conservatories, even some businesses.

SDLT for first-time buyers

Since April 2025, first-time buyer SDLT relief in England/NI:

• £0 on purchases up to £300,000.
• 5% on the portion between £300,001-£500,000.
• Above £500,000: standard rates apply with no FTB relief.

Use the first-time buyer SDLT calculator for your specific figure. Scotland and Wales use different reliefs — see LBTT and LTT.

Government schemes worth knowing about

A few schemes still help UK first-time buyers in 2026:

• Lifetime ISA: Save up to £4,000/year; government adds 25% (£1,000) bonus toward your deposit. Property must be ≤£450,000.
• Shared Ownership: Buy 25-75% of a property; rent the rest. Smaller mortgage and deposit on just your share.
• First Homes: New-builds at 30-50% discount to local market value. Income-eligibility limits apply.
• Mortgage Guarantee Scheme: Where active, supports 95% LTV products via government backing.

Schemes change over time — check gov.uk/own-your-home for the current position before relying on any specific scheme.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the first-time buyer journey take?

From starting to seriously save to moving in typically takes 12-24 months. The active buying process from agreement in principle to completion takes 3-4 months on average.

When should I start preparing for a mortgage?

Start 6-12 months before applying. This gives time to clean up your credit file, register on the electoral roll, reduce credit card balances, settle any defaults, and build a verifiable savings track record.

What does a first-time buyer actually pay upfront?

For a typical £250,000 purchase: deposit £25,000 (10%); SDLT £0; solicitor fees £1,500-£2,000; survey £400-£900; mortgage product fee £0-£1,500; valuation £200-£400; removal £600-£1,500; insurance £400-£600. Total beyond deposit typically £3,500-£6,000.

What goes wrong most often?

Down-valuations, mortgage offer expiry, chain collapse, title issues, EWS1 cladding on flats, and last-minute lender requirement changes are the most common deal-breakers.

How much should my deposit be?

5% is the absolute minimum; 10% is standard; 15-25% unlocks the most competitive rates. Use the deposit savings goal calculator to model options.

Do I need a solicitor or conveyancer?

You need a licensed conveyancer or solicitor for the legal work. Conveyancing firms are typically cheaper than solicitors. Check they're on your lender's panel before instructing.

What's stamp duty for first-time buyers in 2026?

First-time buyers pay no SDLT on purchases up to £300,000 and 5% on the portion between £300,001-£500,000. Above £500,000 standard rates apply with no first-time buyer relief.

When do I get my mortgage offer?

Typically 2-4 weeks after submitting the full application. The offer is usually valid for 6 months. Plan exchange and completion to fit within the validity period.

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Last reviewed: 6 June 2026.