Buying your first home in the UK is a long run of small jobs with a few big decisions in the middle. This plan puts them in order: getting your finances ready, finding a property, making an offer, conveyancing, the survey and mortgage, and then exchange and completion.
Costs, taxes and schemes change, so steps that touch them point you to the official source rather than quoting a figure. Dates are rough and depend on your chain and your solicitor.
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What's in this plan
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Month 1: get ready(day 14)
Finances checked
Calculate your monthly income and outgoings(day 14)
Use three months of bank statements. Lenders look at what you really spend, so use real figures.
Check your credit report with all 3 agencies(day 14)
Look for errors and old addresses. Fix mistakes early, as corrections can take weeks.
Register on the electoral roll at your current address(day 14)
Lenders use it to confirm who you are.
Cancel unused credit cards and subscriptions(day 14)
Fewer open commitments can make affordability look cleaner.
Deposit and budget set
Check how much deposit you have saved(day 14)
Keep deposit money in a named account, as your solicitor and lender will ask where it came from.
Check whether you can use a Lifetime ISA or a first-time buyer scheme(day 14)
Rules and limits change. Check the current terms on GOV.UK and with your provider.
List the one-off costs besides the deposit(day 14)
Think solicitor, survey, mortgage fees, removals and any tax. Look up each figure rather than guessing.
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Prompt to copy
List the one-off costs a first time buyer in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland should plan for when buying a home, in the order they are paid. I am buying in <country>. Do not guess any prices or tax rates. Tell me where to check each one.
Check what stamp duty or its equivalent applies to you(day 14)
Tax and relief rules differ by nation and change often. Use the calculator on GOV.UK or your nation's revenue site.
Set a maximum purchase price and a monthly payment limit(day 14)
Month 2: mortgage and search(day 45)
Mortgage in principle obtained
Book a call with an independent mortgage broker(day 45)
A broker can compare lenders for you. Ask how they are paid before you start.
Gather payslips, bank statements and ID for the application(day 45)
Ask the broker for the exact list. Having it ready saves days.
Get a mortgage in principle(day 45)
This shows sellers you are serious. It is not a final offer, and it can be withdrawn.
Search area and wishlist ready
Write a list of 5 must-haves and 5 nice-to-haves(day 45)
Shortlist 3 areas and test the commute at rush hour(day 45)
Visit each area on a weekday evening and a weekend(day 45)
Noise, parking and how the street feels change a lot by time of day.
Set up alerts on 2 property portals(day 45)
Viewings done
Book 6 viewings across your shortlisted areas(day 45)
Take photos and notes at each viewing(day 45)
Check damp, roof, windows, water pressure, phone signal and boiler age.
Ask the agent how long the seller has been marketing and why they are moving(day 45)
Rank your top 3 properties(day 45)
Month 3: offer and conveyancing(day 75)
Offer accepted
Check recent sold prices for similar homes nearby(day 75)
Official sold price data is published by the Land Registry for England and Wales. Other nations have their own sources.
Decide your opening offer and your walk-away price(day 75)
Make the offer through the agent and ask for it in writing(day 75)
Ask the agent to take the property off the market(day 75)
Until contracts are exchanged, either side can still pull out, so ask for this but do not rely on it.
Conveyancer instructed
Get 3 conveyancing quotes(day 75)
Ask for fees in writing, including searches and disbursements. Check the firm is regulated.
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Prompt to copy
Write a short, polite email asking a conveyancing solicitor for a fixed-fee quote to buy a home. The property is a <freehold or leasehold> at <address> for around <price>, and I am a first time buyer with a mortgage. Ask what is included, what is extra, and how long they expect it to take. Do not state any fees.
Book your conveyancer and send ID documents(day 75)
Send your conveyancer proof of deposit and its source(day 75)
Ask the agent for the seller's solicitor details and pass them on(day 75)
Mortgage application submitted
Submit the full mortgage application through your broker(day 75)
Pay the valuation fee if the lender asks for one(day 75)
Reply to any lender questions within 2 working days(day 75)
Month 4: survey and searches(day 105)
Survey completed
Choose the survey level that suits the property(day 105)
Surveyors offer different levels of detail. Older or unusual homes usually need a fuller survey. Ask your conveyancer or broker.
Get 3 surveyor quotes and book one(day 105)
Read the survey report and list every issue raised(day 105)
Ask your conveyancer how to use the findings to renegotiate(day 105)
You can ask the seller to repair, lower the price or both. Make sure you have the figures from a quote, not a guess.
Searches and legal checks reviewed
Read the property information forms from the seller(day 105)
They cover boundaries, disputes, alterations and what is included.
Ask your conveyancer to explain the local authority and environmental searches(day 105)
Send your questions to the conveyancer in writing and keep the replies(day 105)
Ask, if leasehold, about lease length, ground rent and service charges(day 105)
Leasehold rules have been changing. Check current guidance on GOV.UK.
Mortgage offer received
Check the mortgage offer matches what you agreed with your broker(day 105)
Confirm how long the mortgage offer is valid(day 105)
Check that your payslips and bank accounts are unchanged since applying(day 105)
Large new debts or a change of job can make a lender reconsider.
Month 5: exchange and completion(day 140)
Insurance and money arranged
Arrange buildings insurance to start on exchange(day 140)
You are usually responsible for the property from exchange. Your lender will require cover.
Move the deposit and completion funds into the account your solicitor names(day 140)
Check the payment details by phone with your solicitor(day 140)
Property payment fraud is common. Never rely on bank details sent by email alone.
Contracts exchanged
Read the contract and ask your conveyancer to explain anything unclear(day 140)
Agree a completion date with your conveyancer and the sellers(day 140)
Sign the contract and mortgage deed and return them(day 140)
Confirm that exchange has happened and the completion date is fixed(day 140)
Once exchanged, pulling out normally costs you your deposit.
Move planned
Book removals or a van for completion day(day 140)
Set up utilities, council tax and broadband at the new address(day 140)
Take meter readings on the day. Tell the council you are the new taxpayer.
Arrange post redirection and tell your bank and employer your new address(day 140)
Take final meter readings and photos on completion day(day 140)
Keys collected
Confirm completion funds have reached the seller's solicitor(day 140)
Collect the keys from the agent(day 140)
Check the property against the agreed inclusions and report problems at once(day 140)
Store your completion documents and the title deeds record safely(day 140)