10 steps to buying your first home

Steps to buying a house for the first-time:

- How much money do you need to buy a house? 
- Register with your local agent
- Get your mortgage agreement in principle
- Instruct a property lawyer (conveyancer)
- Get the Home Report
- Make an offer
- Arrange a mortgage
- Decide on the date of entry
- Arrange buildings insurance
- Completion
- What other costs are associated with buying a property?

To help you find your way through the home buying process, we’ve created this step-by-step insider’s guide, including some of the essential information and costs you’ll need to know about how to get started.

So, without further ado, here we go.

1. How much money do you need to buy a house?

Typically, you would need a minimum of a 5% deposit, although your ideal deposit would be at least 10%. So, if you’ve saved £10,000, then you could look for a house valued at up to £200,000 (subject to affordability checks). You also need to factor in a range of additional costs like stamp duty, solicitor fees, mortgage fees, survey costs and buildings insurance.

This may sound like a lot to keep in mind, but there’s no need to worry, as we’re here to help you throughout this entire process. And to provide you with a complete overview, we’ve included a list of costs that are associated with the buying process at the end of the article.

2. Register with your local agent

Now is the time to start looking for your new home. Ensure that you include all your requirements in your property search, and make use of our branch teams, who are there to make your buying process as simple and as smooth as possible – they have many years of experience to help you along the way. Plan plenty of property viewings. Do your research and get to know the local market. If you need a little extra advice on up-and-coming areas, talk to your agent.

3. Get your mortgage agreement in principle

A mortgage agreement in principle can also be referred to as a decision in principle and is an estimate of how much you could potentially borrow from a bank or building society. It will help you search for a property in your price range and may also help you negotiate a better price with the seller because they know you can get a mortgage. Bear in mind it’s not a formal mortgage offer and is subject to status and lender criteria.

Want to increase your chances of getting a mortgage? Here are our top tips:

• Check and improve your credit report in advance
• Try to limit/avoid taking on any debt
• Pay your bills on time to show lenders you can meet your financial commitments (which will give them confidence you can meet your monthly mortgage payments)
• Avoid using an overdraft as this could have the opposite effect to the above point
• Register to vote as your information will be recorded on the electoral report which helps lenders to confirm your details such as name and address
• Separate your accounts from ex-partners and housemates. Their financial activity could affect yours
• Cut back on spending – your statements will be analysed

And, if you want a helping hand finding the right type of mortgage for you, our associated company, Countrywide Mortgage Services, can help with that. They have access to thousands of mortgage deals from our panel of high street banks and specialist lenders and can help guide you through the mortgage market.

Visit our mortgages section to find out more, or arrange an appointment today for a no-obligation chat with a mortgage advisor.

4. Instruct a property lawyer (conveyancer)

Before being able to make an offer on a home, you’ll need a solicitor. A property lawyer, also known as a conveyancer, will take charge of conducting searches, liaising with the seller’s property lawyer, inspecting the seller’s documents and dealing with the Land Registry. This role is pivotal to keeping your house purchase on track.

If you’re still looking for a conveyancer, we offer conveyancing services that give you access to local experts, acting for you and independent, tailored for you… whoever you are buying from.

5. Get the Home Report

Every seller has to arrange a Home Report before selling their property. This includes a property questionnaire with information on the property, such as its history, Council Tax band and any changes made to it. The Home Report also includes the property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and a survey done by a qualified surveyor, which includes information about the property’s condition and property’s value.

The Home Report contains a lot of vital information about the property’s current condition, so it’s important to read it carefully before making an offer.

6. Make an offer

Once you’ve found what you’re looking for and had your mortgage agreed in principle, it’s time to make an offer. Think carefully about what you would be willing to pay, if you go too low, you risk not being seen as a serious buyer, so make sure your offer is realistic. Equally, don’t go in too high and miss the mark completely. Remember, your dedicated estate agent will be on hand to guide you through the process. You’ve found out your offer has been accepted? Fantastic! Relax, and take a deep breath. It’s about to get serious.

In Scotland, when there is more than one interested buyer, the seller’s agent will usually set a closing date by when all prospective buyers submit their offers via their lawyer. To improve your chance of having your offer accepted, including a written offer from your property lawyer, explaining your circumstances and commitment is good practice.

7. Arrange a mortgage

Once your offer is accepted, it’s time to arrange your mortgage. Remember that your mortgage agreement in principle (from step 3) usually expires after 30 or 90 days (depending on the lender - some expire earlier) so it’s worth checking what’s new to the market and seeing if you can find a better deal.

Our mortgage services offer you three types of service:

• Help to find: After you’ve provided them with information on your dream property, they’ll do the searching for you.
• Information: Receive information and advice on the house buying process, from start to finish, including the right lenders and a full explanation of costs.
• Comparison: Ideal for those who have already found their next home and want to secure the best mortgage for their circumstances.

Visit our mortgages section to find out more, or arrange an appointment today for a no-obligation chat with a mortgage advisor.

8. Decide on the date of entry

Once your offer is accepted, you’ll receive a ‘qualified acceptance’ letter, after which the seller’s and your solicitor will negotiate the conditions, including the date of entry – these are called ‘missives’. From offer to settlement, this usually takes 8 to 12 weeks. Once both sides are happy with the agreement, your solicitors will set up a binding contract, called a ‘concluding missive’.

9. Arrange buildings insurance

From buildings to contents insurance, you’ll want to ensure that your new home is protected. If you’re taking out a mortgage, you’ll most likely already have arranged your buildings insurance, as it’s usually a condition on of most mortgage offers. Like all types of insurance, buildings insurance protects you against unforeseen circumstances that could happen as soon as the missives are concluded (which is the time from when you’re legally bound to buy to property).

You may want to consider other insurance options available to you, that insure yourself, your family, your property and the contents within it. Explore your insurance options here.*

10. Completion

You did it. You’re officially a new homeowner – collect the keys from your estate agent and let yourself in! Now, time to bribe your friends with pizza and get them to work on the decorating.

What other costs are associated with buying a property?

Now that we’ve covered the steps to buying your home, let’s talk about some of the costs that are associated with buying a property. In this way, you can avoid any unwanted surprises along the way.

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax:

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT), often referred to as Stamp Duty, is a form of tax that you pay when you buy land or property above a certain value. It is an additional cost that is calculated based on the purchase price.

Note that the LBTT in Scotland varies from Stamp Duty in England and the Land Transaction Tax in Wales. Read more about the Scottish LBTT and the different tax bands here.

Searches 

Above, we already touched on the fact that your property lawyer/conveyancer will perform property searches on your behalf to help ensure that you, as a buyer, have all the information you need to feel secure in your property purchase. Depending on the council, the property and its environment, costs will vary, which is why it’s important to talk to a specialist to get a more accurate estimate.

Mortgage fees

There are usually two main types of mortgage-related fees - Broker fees and Lender fees.

Our Countrywide Mortgage Consultant will discuss any relevant fees with you before you choose to proceed. When arranging a mortgage through Countrywide, the following fees apply:

• Broker fee: a one-off fee payable to Countrywide Mortgage Services, for lifetime membership to our mortgage services, which comes with a number of benefits
• Administration fee: payable to Countrywide Mortgage Services, for handling all the administration on your mortgage application

Although some lenders do offer fee-free mortgages, others may come with associated costs The total fees payable will depend on your chosen lender, but may include:

• Arrangement fee: paid to the lender for arranging your mortgage. Can be added to the loan in some cases.
• Booking or reservation fee: often charged upfront, it reserves the mortgage you have been offered while your application is being processed.

Moving costs

Last, but certainly not least, you can’t forget about any moving costs you may need to take into account, including hiring a company to help you move or the time it may take to do it all yourself. There are professionals who will be able to safely and securely pack and move your belongings. Depending on who you use, this could come with the added benefit of being insured for any potential damage that could occur during your move.

Correct at the time of publishing: 12.01.2024

ALL MORTGAGES ARE SUBJECT TO STATUS AND LENDER CRITERIA. MOST BUY TO LET MORTGAGES ARE NOT REGULATED.

A BROKER FEE MAY BE PAYABLE ON APPLICATION, OUR TYPICAL FEE IS £599. IN ADDITION, AN ADMINISTRATION FEE OF £99 MAY ALSO APPLY FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS OR £149 FOR BUY TO LET CUSTOMERS.

YOUR HOME OR PROPERTY MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. YOU MAY HAVE TO PAY AN EARLY REPAYMENT CHARGE TO YOUR EXISTING LENDER IF YOU RE-MORTGAGE.

Countrywide Mortgage Services is a trading names of Countrywide Principal Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Registration Number 301684). Registered Office: Countrywide House, 6 Caldecotte Lake Business Park, Caldecotte Lake Drive, Milton Keynes, MK7 8JT. Registered in England no. 01707341. MS/CW/7154/01.24

*Cover for buildings insurance is underwritten by AXA Insurance UK plc, Registered in England No: 78950. Registered Office: 5 Old Broad Street, London,EC2N 1AD. AXA Insurance UK plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under Financial Services register number 202312. This can be checked on the Financial Conduct Authority’s website at www.fca.org.uk/register.