Every step from saving your deposit to getting the keys — in order, with the calculators you’ll need at each stage. Tick as you go; your progress saves automatically.
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Seventeen steps across four stages. Work top to bottom — each stage builds on the one before.
1
Before you start looking
2
Getting mortgage-ready
3
Offer & conveyancing
4
Exchange & completion
How long does buying a first home take?
From accepted offer to keys, a typical UK purchase runs 12 to 24 weeks — and in 2026 the median has crept toward the longer end. First-time buyers have one big advantage, though: no property to sell means no chain below you, one of the commonest causes of delay.
Weeks 0–1
Offer accepted. Property marked sold subject to contract. Instruct your conveyancer immediately — don’t wait.
Weeks 1–3
Survey & mortgage application. Book the survey early; convert your agreement in principle into a full application.
Weeks 2–8
Searches & enquiries. Local authority searches can take a week to eight, depending on the council. The usual bottleneck.
Weeks 8–12
Mortgage offer & contract pack. Once searches are back and enquiries answered, you move toward exchange.
Weeks 12–16+
Exchange, then completion. Exchange makes it binding; completion follows 1–2 weeks later. Keys in hand.
A long stretch in the middle where nothing seems to happen is normal — solicitors are exchanging detailed correspondence. The visible progress comes in bursts.
What does buying a first home cost?
The deposit is the big one, but several cash costs land around completion — none from the mortgage. Roughly one in three agreed sales falls through, so some of these (survey, searches) can be spent on a purchase that doesn’t happen.
Cost
Typical range
Deposit (5–10%)
£12,500–£25,000 on a £250k home
Stamp duty (first-time buyer)
£0 up to £300,000
Conveyancing / solicitor
£1,000–£2,000
Survey
£400–£600
Local searches
£150–£300
Mortgage / valuation fees
£0–£1,500
Removals
£300–£1,000
For a first-time buyer under the £300,000 stamp duty threshold, the costs beyond the deposit typically add a few thousand pounds. Work out your exact stamp duty with the stamp duty calculator, and check the full picture in our first-time buyer guide.
First-time buyer questions, answered
How long does it take to buy a first home?
From accepted offer to completion, typically 12 to 24 weeks in the UK, with the 2026 median toward the longer end. First-time buyers are often quicker because there’s no chain below them. Conveyancing alone usually takes 8 to 12 weeks, with local authority searches the most common bottleneck.
What’s a mortgage in principle and do I need one?
A mortgage in principle is a lender’s preliminary confirmation of how much they’d lend you. It’s not binding, but sellers and estate agents take offers more seriously when you have one, so it’s worth getting before you start making offers.
Do I need a solicitor to buy a house?
Yes — you need a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to handle the legal transfer, searches and contracts. It’s effectively impossible to complete a mortgaged purchase without one. Get quotes early and instruct them as soon as your offer is accepted.
What can go wrong before completion?
Around one in three agreed sales falls through before completion. Common causes include the survey revealing problems, a chain collapsing, a mortgage withdrawn after a job change, gazumping, or slow searches dragging the timeline until someone pulls out. Being chain-free and responsive reduces your risk.
When do I pay stamp duty?
Stamp duty is due within 14 days of completion, paid in cash (your solicitor usually handles the submission). First-time buyers pay nothing up to £300,000 and 5% on the portion from £300,001 to £500,000, with the relief lost above £500,000.
How much deposit do I need as a first-time buyer?
At least 5% of the price, though 10% or more unlocks better mortgage rates. On a £250,000 home that’s £12,500 to £25,000. Remember the cash costs on top — conveyancing, survey and fees. See how much deposit you need for the full breakdown.
How this checklist is built
The steps follow the standard order of a UK property purchase, from saving to completion, linking to the free Calclens calculators useful at each stage. Timings and requirements vary by lender, solicitor and circumstances. See our methodology.
Not financial or legal advice. This checklist is a general guide. Buying a home varies by circumstances and region — confirm specifics with your mortgage adviser, solicitor and lender.
