First-Time Buyer Guide
Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but it can also feel overwhelming. Understanding each step of the process from the outset can make it far more manageable.
This guide takes you through each stage of buying your first home, from setting your budget to collecting your keys. The team at Switalskis can help you move forward with confidence.
Step one
Understanding your budget
The deposit you pay for a property depends on which lender you choose and the mortgages available to you. Some lenders offer a 5% deposit, but the average first-time buyer deposit is 20%. You'll need proof of your deposit ready to start the house-buying process.
Before you start viewing properties, it’s important to know how much you can afford to borrow and what your monthly repayments might look like. You can often use a mortgage lender borrowing calculator, or you can go to a mortgage broker to get a decision in principle. This gives you an indication of how much a lender may be willing to offer, based on an initial review of your financial circumstances.
A decision in principle is not a guarantee. Your mortgage will only be formally approved after full credit checks and a detailed assessment of your income and outgoings.
It’s also a good idea to see how much you can afford to pay monthly on your mortgage, consider the potential extra costs of moving, and how you will pay for them.
Some lenders charge a fee to secure a particular mortgage rate, product or rate. This may not be refunded if the mortgage application is rejected.
Some lenders charge a mortgage product fee on some of their mortgages. This usually can be added to the mortgage, or you can pay it up front. These are usually refunded if the transaction doesn’t go through. They can be expensive though, often they’re between £200 and £1000.
In some cases, you may need a surveyor to value the house to satisfy your mortgage lender that the house is worth the value you’re offering for it. Some lenders will pay this for you and others will ask you to pay it. Costs for this can be over £1000 so its best to be prepared to pay it just in case.
In a lot of cases, the first mortgage payment may be two months payment plus initial interest.
Paid to a lender for transferring the mortgage money to your solicitor.
Fees for searches with the local authority to check whether there are any planning or local issues that might affect the property's value amongst other things.
These are paid by you as the buyer to have a surveyor check for structural defects and general condition of the property. There are different levels of survey available and the cost can vary.
These are our fees for doing the legal work for your property to make sure you are protected from risk.
Stamp duty is the tax paid when you buy a property. How much it is depends on the price of the house you’re buying.
These vary depending on if you want someone to do the moving for you or whether you choose to hire a van and do it yourself.
Step two
Finding your dream home
Once you understand your budget, you can begin searching for your first home. Some of the things to think about when buying a home include:
When looking around, it's useful to think about:
If you are buying a flat, there are some extra factors to review:
When you find a property that you want to buy, it’s time to put in an offer. This is usually done by contacting the estate agent which includes your offer amount, proof of funds and your position (e.g. first-time buyer). You can offer below the asking price but it may be declined, some people offer the asking price and others will offer more.
Often it depends many people are interested, if there are already other offers, and how long the property has been for sale. If there are things to fix e.g. windows need replacing, it’s worth considering this in your offer. The estate agent will tell the seller your offer and see if they’re happy to accept it.
Step three
The legal and financial process
Your conveyancer or conveyancing solicitor is key to a smooth transaction process. It’s our job to make sure you know all you can about the house you’re buying and that you’re comfortable with the purchase before you’re committed.
At the same time, your mortgage broker or lender will finalise your mortgage offer.
You should also arrange for a survey to assess the condition of the property before committing to the purchase.
Once all checks are complete and both parties are satisfied, contracts are exchanged. You will need to make sure your deposit monies are ready in order to exchange contracts. It is advisable on a property to have a survey done so you can find out if there could be any issues before you commit to purchasing.
When everything is agreed we will set the exchange date. On your behalf we exchange contracts with the sellers solicitor and your deposit is paid to your lender making the property purchase legally binding. At this point you can’t back out without financial loss.
Step four
Completing your home purchase
Completion is the final stage of the process, when ownership of the property is transferred to you.
Before completion, you should:
On the day of completion:
At that point, you can collect your keys and move into your new home.
After completion, your solicitor will register your ownership with the Land Registry and handle any remaining formalities.
Buying your first home is a big step, call us today on 0800 1380458 or using our form and let us help get you moving.
Switalskis has appointed four solicitors to its residential conveyancing team, including two directors, adding further property expertise to its Wakefield, Bradford, Sheffield and Grimsby offices.
Finding out that conveyancing firm or solicitors you instructed has closed in the middle of buying or selling a property is an additional stress. It can feel like this may be the end of the transaction, but there are steps to protect your position and get back on track.
Sarah Cookson, Director, Solicitor and Head of Residential Conveyancing at Switalskis, has been named Female Trailblazer of the Year at the LEAP Modern Law Conveyancing Awards 2025. The recognition reflects her outstanding leadership, her commitment to innovation, and her influence across the legal sector.
Sarah Cookson, Head of Residential Conveyancing at Switalskis, was recently interviewed by BBC Look North for her professional views into the risks faced by homebuyers purchasing properties off-plan.
Want to know more? Just give us a ring on 0800 012 9085 , or get in touch through our website.
If you're thinking of buying or selling a home and need clear, expert advice, Switalskis is the team for you.
Dealing with property can be confusing. But don't worry, we're here to make it easy. We'll answer all your questions, break down the legal talk and keep you in the loop. That way, you'll always know what's going on and feel confident about your choices.
Buying your first home is a big deal, and we get that. We're here to listen, understand what you need, and give advice that fits you. You're not just another case for us; you're a person going through a big life moment, and we want to make it as stress-free as we can.
When it comes to legal stuff around property, you want someone who knows their way around. That's us. We've got heaps of experience and a track record that says we know our stuff, helping folks like you make smooth moves.
We're all in for getting you the best deal and making sure your rights are looked after. From our first chat to handing over the keys, we'll keep you clued in so you always know what's happening.
