Award-Winning Bad Credit Specialist · FCA No. 301173
First-Time Buyer Guide — The Complete Process
The short answer
What are the steps to buying your first home in the UK? Eight stages: mortgage advice, Agreement in Principle, property search, offer accepted, full mortgage application, survey and valuation, solicitors and searches, then exchange and completion. Most first-time buyers go into the process blind, looking at properties before speaking to a broker — get the order right and the whole process becomes significantly less stressful. Typical timeline start to keys: 3–6 months.
⏱️ The Average Timeline — Start to Keys
| Stage | Typical Time |
| Mortgage advice → AIP issued | 1–3 days |
| Property search → offer accepted | 2–12 weeks |
| Full mortgage application | Day 1 |
| Survey & valuation | 1–3 days |
| Solicitors / searches | 1–2 weeks |
| Exchange & complete | 6–12 weeks |
| TOTAL | 3–6 months |
💬Step 1 · Week 1 · 1–3 days
Get Mortgage Advice First — Before You Do Anything Else
This is the most important piece of advice in this entire guide. Before you view a single property, before you speak to an estate agent — speak to a mortgage broker. Estate agents are legally obligated to take your offer seriously, but not to stop another buyer jumping in front of you. If you don’t know what you can borrow, you could lose the home you love to someone who got their ducks in a row first.
The Geezer's TipDon’t go to your bank. They can only offer you their own products. A whole-of-market broker searches the entire market on your behalf — my fee (£750–£995) is only payable once your mortgage is agreed, never for the consultation, recommendation, AIP or application.
- Gather your last 3 months’ payslips (or 2 years’ accounts if self-employed)
- Get your last 3 months’ bank statements
- Know your approximate deposit amount and where it’s coming from
- Check your credit report before applying
📄Step 2 · Same day–48 hours
Get Your Agreement in Principle (AIP)
An AIP — also called a Decision in Principle or Mortgage in Principle — is a written statement from a lender confirming they’d be willing to lend you a specific amount, subject to full application and valuation. It is not a mortgage offer, but proves you’re a serious buyer. Estate agents will ask for it; without one, your offer is worth very little in a competitive market.
The Geezer's TipAn AIP typically lasts 60–90 days. Applying directly to multiple lenders leaves a hard credit search each time — as your broker, I only ever submit one application, to the right lender, first time.
🏠Step 3 · Typically 2–12 weeks
Search for Your Property — Now With Confidence
Now you know your budget, you can search properly — you’re not guessing what you can afford, you know. When you find the one, move fast. Book a viewing within 24 hours if possible. If you love it after viewing, make an offer promptly — a low-ball offer in a competitive market often just hands it to the next buyer.
The Geezer's TipTell the estate agent you have an AIP in place and can move quickly. This puts you ahead of buyers who haven’t sorted their mortgage yet.
- Register for instant alerts on the major portals
- Decide must-haves vs nice-to-haves before viewing
- Check flood risk and EPC rating before getting attached
- Ask the seller’s reason for leaving — it can reveal a lot
🤝Step 4 · Negotiation: 1–5 days
Make an Offer & Get It Accepted
Your offer is just a verbal agreement at this stage — nothing is legally binding until exchange of contracts. Once accepted, the estate agent confirms in writing and asks for proof of your AIP and deposit. Nothing is certain until exchange; sellers can accept other offers and you can withdraw.
The Geezer's TipDon’t get gazumped. Keep your chain moving — the faster your mortgage and legal work completes, the less time there is for things to go wrong.
📋Step 5 · 1–3 days after offer accepted
Submit Your Full Mortgage Application
Your broker submits a full mortgage application to the chosen lender — this is a hard credit check and full assessment of your finances. The lender also instructs a valuation of the property. You’ll need proof of identity, proof of address, payslips and P60, bank statements, and evidence of your deposit source. Typical lender processing time: 1–3 weeks to a formal mortgage offer.
🔍Step 6 · 1–3 weeks
Survey & Valuation — What They Are and Which You Need
The lender carries out a mortgage valuation to confirm the property is worth what you’re paying — this protects the lender, not you, and is often just a desktop review. You should get your own survey. Level 1 (Condition Report, £300–£500) suits new builds only. Level 2 (Homebuyer Report, £400–£900) is most popular, flagging issues on standard properties. Level 3 (Full Structural, £600–£1,500+) suits older or unusual properties.
The Geezer's TipA survey that reveals a £5,000 repair allows you to renegotiate the price. A survey that finds a structural problem saves you from a financial disaster. It’s almost always money well spent.
⚖️Step 7 · 6–12 weeks — the long one
Solicitors, Searches & the Legal Work
This is where most of the waiting happens. Your solicitor handles the legal transfer of ownership — instruct one as soon as your offer is accepted, don’t wait. They carry out local authority, drainage, environmental and planning searches, raise enquiries with the seller’s solicitor, review the title deeds, and handle exchange and completion. Typical costs: legal fee £850–£1,600, search fees £300–£550, Land Registry fee £20–£910 (scales with price), CHAPS transfer fee £35–£50.
The Geezer's TipDon’t just use the solicitor the estate agent recommends — they often receive referral fees. Get at least 2–3 quotes. Delays happen; chase your solicitor regularly, politely but persistently.
✍️Step 8 · Usually 1–2 weeks apart
Exchange of Contracts — Then Completion
Exchange is when you and the seller become legally committed — you pay your deposit (usually 5–10% of the price) through your solicitor. If you pull out after exchange, you lose it. Completion is the day the money transfers and you get the keys.
The Geezer's TipDon’t book removals until exchange — things can still fall through before then. After exchange, completion is virtually guaranteed, so book everything confidently.
💰 What Does Buying Actually Cost?
Beyond your deposit, here’s the full picture on a typical first-time buyer purchase at £300,000:
| Cost | Amount |
| Stamp Duty (FTB, £300k) | £0 |
| Solicitor legal fee | ~£1,250 |
| Searches | ~£400 |
| Land Registry | £270 |
| Level 2 Survey | ~£550 |
| Mortgage fee | £0–£999 |
| Removal costs | ~£700 |
| Total (excl. deposit) | ~£3,200 |
Figures above are averages — your numbers may vary depending on purchase price and property type.
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FCA No. 301173
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Lender criteria, rates and deposit requirements quoted on this page are indicative and subject to change without notice. Individual circumstances vary. This page provides general information only and does not constitute regulated financial advice. The Mortgage Geezer is a trading style of Access Financial Services Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The Financial Services Register number is 301173. Registered in England No. 04427489. Registered office address Access Financial Services Ltd, Unit 1 Furtho Court, Towcester Road, Old Stratford, Milton Keynes, MK19 6AN. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP YOUR REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER LOAN SECURED AGAINST IT.