For UK first-time buyers
Your first home.
A clearer way
to get there.
From the first pound saved to the keys in your hand. Make sense of buying your first home, one step at a time.
Plain English. Practical steps. A place of your own.
A front door
to call your own.
Every journey starts somewhere
Where are you
right now?
No need to know it all at once. Start with the part that matters to you today.
01 / THE FOUNDATIONS
I’m starting to save
Understand your deposit, everyday budget and the costs beyond the asking price.
02 / GETTING READY
I’m ready to look
Get to grips with mortgages, make a shortlist and ask better viewing questions.
03 / MAKING IT HAPPEN
I’ve found a place
Know what comes next: offers, surveys, legal work and moving day.
Good questions. Clear answers.
Less guessing.
More getting ready.
A good place to begin
The whole process.
Without the head spin.
A clear route through buying your first home, with the questions to ask at each stage.
Get the basics straight
What will buying actually cost?
Plan for the deposit, legal fees, surveys and moving.
Mortgages, in plain English
The terms to understand before you start comparing.
A better house viewing
Look past the fresh paint and find the details that matter.
The book
Your first home,
one chapter closer.
Buying Your First Home
by Tamara Blackmiller
A seven-step plan to help you think through the move from renting to owning, ask the right questions and prepare for the decisions ahead.
Available on Amazon. Check the listing for formats and current price.
Where should I start?
Start with what you can comfortably spend each month and what you have saved. Then work through the buying guide before you begin viewing homes.
Is the buying process the same across the UK?
No. The legal process and property taxes vary. Scotland has a different offer process, and Wales has its own property tax. Start with our UK nation guide.
Is a mortgage valuation the same as a survey?
No. A valuation is for the lender. A survey considers the condition of the property for you. Ask a surveyor which level is suitable for the home you want to buy.
Can this site tell me which mortgage to choose?
The guides explain the basics. A lender or regulated mortgage adviser can assess your circumstances and discuss suitable products. You can find independent starting points in the mortgage guide.
Make your next move
Small steps.
Closer to home.
Keep the essentials to hand, from your first viewing to the day you move in.
Personal help, at your pace
You do not have to
work it all out alone.
Talk through the questions behind your first purchase, from preparing for viewings to organising the next step.
From the original blog
More room for
your questions.
Read the original articles on mortgages, getting ready to borrow and building your credit history.
