8 min read
Getting started
First-time buyer checklist
A simple UK first-time buyer checklist covering your budget, mortgage preparation, property search, offer, conveyancing, exchange and completion.
Read the simple guideThe guide library
Find your next step. Skip the jargon.
Seventeen simple guides for the questions that come up from your first savings goal to the day you collect the keys.
Brand new to all of this?
Start with one checklist. It will show you the whole journey without overwhelming you.
Open the first-time buyer checklistJump to your stage
Already know what you need? Pick the part of the journey you are working on today.
01
Build your budget
Know the deposit, fees and monthly comfort zone before you start scrolling property listings.
02Prepare for a mortgage
Understand what lenders look at and get your paperwork in shape before you make an offer.
03View, compare, offer
Spot the questions that matter, compare homes calmly and make an offer with a clear ceiling.
04Get to the keys
Follow the legal work, final checks and completion day without losing track of the next step.
Every first-time buyer guide
Each guide starts with a quick answer, then breaks the detail into readable chunks with official sources.
Education only: Solvado does not provide mortgage, financial, tax, legal or insurance advice. Any tool results are general estimates, not recommendations, offers or eligibility decisions. Rules, rates and criteria can change. Check official sources and speak to an appropriately regulated professional before making decisions.
Getting started
1 simple guide
Money and mortgages
8 simple guides
6 min read
Money and mortgages
How much deposit do I need?
Understand first-time buyer deposits, loan-to-value ratios and why you need money set aside for fees and emergencies as well as your house deposit.
Read the simple guide7 min read
Money and mortgages
Costs beyond your deposit
A practical first-time buyer cost checklist for mortgage fees, conveyancing, searches, surveys, property tax, moving and your first-home buffer.
Read the simple guide5 min read
Money and mortgages
Mortgage agreement in principle
A plain-English guide to mortgage agreements in principle, also called mortgage in principle or decision in principle, and what to do next.
Read the simple guide6 min read
Money and mortgages
Do first-time buyers pay stamp duty?
Understand first-time buyer property tax in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, including current SDLT relief thresholds.
Read the simple guide5 min read
Money and mortgages
Using a Lifetime ISA
A clear guide to the main Lifetime ISA first-home rules, including the £450,000 property limit and 12-month timing requirement.
Read the simple guide7 min read
Money and mortgages
How much can I borrow?
Understand how lenders estimate mortgage affordability, which income and outgoings matter, and why your comfortable budget is important.
Read the simple guide6 min read
Money and mortgages
Mortgage application documents
Get your mortgage paperwork ready with a simple checklist covering identity, income, spending, deposit evidence and gifted deposits.
Read the simple guide6 min read
Money and mortgages
Credit score before a mortgage
Learn why your credit report matters before a mortgage application and the practical checks to make before you apply.
Read the simple guideFinding a home
4 simple guides
7 min read
Finding a home
Viewing a house checklist
Use this first-time buyer viewing checklist to compare homes, ask practical questions and spot issues that need further investigation.
Read the simple guide6 min read
Finding a home
Making an offer on a house
Prepare a first-time buyer house offer with a clear budget, useful questions and an understanding of what happens after acceptance.
Read the simple guide7 min read
Finding a home
Which house survey do I need?
Understand the difference between a lender valuation and a home survey, including the RICS Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 survey options.
Read the simple guide8 min read
Finding a home
Leasehold vs freehold
Understand leasehold and freehold homes, including lease length, service charges, ground rent, restrictions and questions to ask before offering.
Read the simple guideOffer to keys
2 simple guides
7 min read
Offer to keys
Conveyancing explained
Understand the conveyancing process for first-time buyers, from instructing a solicitor to searches, enquiries, exchange and completion.
Read the simple guide6 min read
Offer to keys
Exchange and completion
A first-time buyer guide to exchange of contracts, completion day and the final checks to make before getting your keys.
Read the simple guideSchemes and support
2 simple guides
7 min read
Schemes and support
Shared ownership basics
Understand shared ownership in England, including the share you buy, rent on the remaining share, service charges, deposits and where to check the different rules elsewhere in the UK.
Read the simple guide7 min read
Schemes and support
First Homes scheme
Learn how the First Homes scheme works in England, including the discount, income limits, mortgage requirement and local eligibility rules.
Read the simple guide