Buying First Home Checklist: 25 Things to Do Before You Buy

Buying your first property is a major financial and practical decision, and a buying first home checklist can help you stay organised from saving for a deposit through to getting the keys. First-time buyers need to consider much more than the property’s asking price, including mortgage affordability, legal costs, surveys, property condition, insurance, taxes and ongoing household expenses.

The home-buying process can involve several professionals, including mortgage advisers, estate agents, solicitors or conveyancers and surveyors. In England and Wales, an accepted offer is generally not legally binding until contracts are exchanged, so there are several important checks to complete before reaching that stage. (GOV.UK)

Whether you’re buying a flat, house, new-build or older property, preparing in advance can make the process easier to manage. This guide covers 25 things to do before you buy your first home, with a focus on the UK home-buying process.

Buying First Home Checklist: 25 Essential Things to Do

Use the following checklist to work through the major financial, practical and legal considerations before buying your first property.

1. Work Out How Much You Can Afford

Start by establishing a realistic overall budget rather than focusing only on the maximum mortgage a lender might offer.

Consider:

GOV.UK recommends considering both mortgage affordability and the additional costs associated with buying and running a home. (GOV.UK)

2. Save for Your Deposit

Your deposit is usually one of the largest upfront costs when buying a home.

Before you begin seriously viewing properties, establish:

Don’t assume that every penny of your savings should go toward the deposit. You’ll also need money for other purchase and moving costs.

3. Budget for Additional Buying Costs

The property price is not the only expense.

Potential costs include:

GOV.UK specifically highlights taxes, surveys, solicitor’s fees, mortgage fees, search fees and registration fees among the additional costs buyers may need to consider. (GOV.UK)

4. Check Your Credit Profile

Your credit history can affect your ability to obtain a mortgage and the mortgage deals available to you.

Before applying, review your credit information and check for obvious errors or outdated information.

Avoid taking on unnecessary new borrowing immediately before making a mortgage application, and make sure regular payments are maintained.

5. Get a Mortgage Agreement in Principle

A mortgage agreement or decision in principle can give you an indication of how much you may be able to borrow.

It can also help you establish a realistic property-search budget.

However, an agreement in principle is not the same as a final mortgage offer. The lender will still need to complete its full assessment before approving the mortgage.

6. Research Mortgage Options

Don’t look only at the headline interest rate.

Consider:

If you need personalised financial advice, consider speaking to an appropriately authorised mortgage adviser.

7. Decide Where You Want to Live

Location can affect both the purchase price and your ongoing lifestyle.

Think about:

Visit the area at different times of day if possible.

A neighbourhood that feels quiet on a Sunday afternoon may feel very different during a weekday morning or evening.

8. Define Your Property Requirements

Separate your requirements into must-haves and nice-to-haves.

For example:

Must-haves:

Nice-to-haves:

This can prevent you from becoming distracted by attractive features that don’t meet your fundamental requirements.

9. Research Local Property Prices

Research recent asking prices and, where available, completed-sale information for similar properties.

Compare properties with similar:

Understanding the local market can help you assess whether an asking price appears consistent with comparable properties.

10. Understand Freehold and Leasehold

Before buying, find out whether the property is freehold or leasehold.

Freehold generally means you own the property and the land it stands on, subject to the legal title.

With leasehold property, you own the property for the duration of the lease and may have additional obligations and costs.

For a leasehold property, check:

Your solicitor or conveyancer can explain the legal implications of the specific property you’re considering.

11. Check the Property’s Energy Performance

Look at the property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), where applicable.

An EPC provides information about the property’s energy efficiency and typical energy performance.

However, remember that an EPC is not a building-condition survey. GOV.UK specifically distinguishes an EPC from a home survey. (GOV.UK)

12. View the Property More Than Once

If possible, don’t make your entire decision based on one viewing.

A second viewing can help you inspect things you may have missed initially.

Look at:

If possible, visit at a different time of day.

13. Check for Signs of Property Problems

During viewings, look for potential warning signs such as:

You shouldn’t rely on your own observations alone. A professional survey can provide a more detailed assessment of the property’s condition.

14. Arrange a Home Survey

A mortgage valuation is not the same as a home survey.

A mortgage valuation is primarily for the lender’s purposes, while a survey provides information about the physical condition of the property.

GOV.UK recommends considering a suitable home survey and explains that different survey types are available. (GOV.UK)

The appropriate survey depends on the property and its age, condition and construction.

15. Choose a Solicitor or Conveyancer

You’ll need a legal professional to handle the conveyancing process.

This professional can help with:

Compare fees and ask what is included in the quoted price before instructing a firm.

16. Arrange Property Searches

Property searches can reveal information about the property and surrounding area that may not be obvious during a viewing.

In England and Wales, searches can include matters such as:

Your legal professional will advise which searches are appropriate for the property. (GOV.UK)

17. Check the Property Title

Your conveyancer will examine the legal title and relevant documents.

This can help establish matters such as:

Ask your conveyancer about anything you don’t understand before proceeding.

18. Check What Is Included in the Sale

Don’t assume everything you see during a viewing will remain in the property.

Clarify whether items such as:

are included.

GOV.UK recommends checking what is included in the sale before making an offer. (GOV.UK)

19. Investigate the Neighbourhood

The property itself is only part of your decision.

Research:

If you’re unfamiliar with the area, spend time there before committing to the purchase.

20. Understand the Ongoing Costs

Calculate what it will cost to own the property every month.

Your budget may need to include:

GOV.UK also highlights heating, Council Tax, water and broadband among ongoing household costs. (GOV.UK)

21. Check Whether the Property Is Leasehold

If the property is leasehold, investigate the lease carefully before committing.

Ask about:

Some of these details can have a substantial effect on the long-term cost and suitability of the property.

22. Make a Carefully Considered Offer

Once you’ve researched the property and your finances, you can make an offer.

Before doing so, consider:

In England and Wales, an accepted offer is generally not legally binding until contracts are exchanged. (GOV.UK)

23. Prepare Your Documents

Buying a home involves identity and financial checks.

You may need documents such as:

Having these documents ready can help avoid unnecessary delays.

24. Protect Yourself Against Property Fraud

Property transactions involve transferring large sums of money, making fraud prevention particularly important.

GOV.UK recommends checking that you’re communicating with the correct person or organisation and that money is being transferred to the correct bank account. (GOV.UK)

Before transferring funds, independently verify bank details using a trusted contact method rather than relying solely on information contained in an unexpected email.

25. Understand Exchange and Completion

One of the most important stages is understanding the difference between exchange and completion.

Exchange of contracts: The transaction becomes legally binding once contracts are exchanged.

Completion: The purchase money is transferred and ownership passes to you, allowing you to collect the keys.

GOV.UK explains that the purchase becomes legally binding at exchange and that completion is the point at which ownership is transferred and the buyer receives the keys. (GOV.UK)

First-Time Buyer Checklist at a Glance

First-Time Buyer Mistakes to Avoid

A checklist is particularly useful because first-time buyers can easily overlook important details.

Focusing Only on the Asking Price

A property that fits your purchase budget may still be unaffordable once mortgage payments, bills, taxes, maintenance and other costs are considered.

Skipping the Survey

A mortgage valuation should not be treated as a substitute for a home survey. (GOV.UK)

Ignoring the Lease

For leasehold properties, the remaining lease term and ongoing charges can be important factors.

Choosing a Property Too Quickly

An attractive property may not necessarily be suitable for your finances, lifestyle or long-term plans.

Forgetting About Repairs

Older properties may require maintenance or improvements. Build potential repair costs into your budget.

Assuming an Accepted Offer Is Final

In England and Wales, an offer generally isn’t legally binding until contracts are exchanged. (GOV.UK)

Not Checking Ongoing Costs

Mortgage repayments are only one part of the monthly cost of owning a home.

First-Time Buyer Support and Schemes

Depending on where you live and your circumstances, you may be eligible for government-supported home-buying schemes.

For example, the First Homes scheme is available in England and can offer eligible first-time buyers a discount from market value, subject to the scheme’s conditions and local eligibility requirements. (GOV.UK)

Eligibility rules and available schemes can change, so always check current government guidance before making financial decisions.

It’s also important to remember that housing rules differ across the UK. GOV.UK notes that its main home-buying guidance applies to England and Wales, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have different processes and rules. (GOV.UK)

How Long Does Buying a First Home Take?

There is no fixed timeline because every transaction is different.

The process can be affected by:

GOV.UK currently states that buying a home takes around five months on average, although transactions can take longer, particularly where there is a chain. (GOV.UK)

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

A comprehensive buying first home checklist can help you approach your first property purchase in a more organised way. From checking mortgage affordability and saving a deposit to arranging a survey, reviewing legal information and understanding ongoing costs, each stage deserves careful attention.

Don’t focus solely on whether you can afford the asking price. Consider the full financial commitment, the property’s condition, its location, the legal details and the costs of owning and maintaining it.

Most importantly, use qualified professionals where appropriate and check current official guidance because property-buying rules and schemes can differ across the UK and change over time.