The First-Time Buyer Hub
Twenty expert, up-to-date UK guides that walk you through every stage of buying your first home in 2026 — from your first savings target to picking up the keys. Follow them in order, or jump to the stage you have reached.
A calm, step-by-step walkthrough of buying your first home in the UK in 2026 — from your first savings target right through to picking up the keys on completion day.
Read the complete guideGetting started — understand the journey and build your deposit before you start viewing.
Ten concrete, realistic strategies to save a house deposit faster in 2026 — from the Lifetime ISA bonus and ruthless budgeting to cutting rent, boosting savings interest, gifted deposits and side income.
How the Lifetime ISA works for buying your first home in 2026 — the 25% government bonus, the £450,000 property cap, who's eligible, the withdrawal-penalty trap, and how a LISA compares with the old Help to Buy ISA.
What actually drives UK mortgage rates, how fixed, tracker and SVR deals differ, what first-time buyers should expect in 2026, and the practical steps to secure a better rate.
Weighing it up — mortgages, government schemes, and the type of home that fits your budget.
How much deposit first-time buyers actually need in 2026 — the 5% minimum, what a 10% or 15% deposit unlocks, realistic saving targets, and the extra costs beyond the deposit itself.
What a mortgage Agreement in Principle really is, how to get one, whether it dents your credit score, and why estate agents ask for it before they take your offer seriously.
How lenders decide what you can borrow in 2026 — income multiples, affordability assessments, stress tests and the outgoings that quietly shrink your budget, with worked examples.
Worried a poor credit history rules you out of homeownership? Here is how UK lenders view adverse credit in 2026, how to improve your file, and why a specialist broker can still get you approved.
Everything first-time buyers need to know about stamp duty in 2026 — the relief thresholds, who qualifies, how much you will pay, and the traps to avoid.
Shared Ownership lets you buy a share of a home and rent the rest — but is it a genuine route onto the ladder or a compromise with hidden costs? Here is how it works, what it costs, and who it suits.
The First Homes scheme offers eligible first-time buyers a 30% to 50% discount on selected new-build homes. Here is how the discount works, who qualifies, and how it compares to Shared Ownership.
How council and housing-association tenants, and people still renting, can get onto the ladder in 2026 — Right to Buy discounts, Right to Acquire, and Rent to Buy explained.
Warranties, energy bills, chain-free moves and snagging versus character, space and established streets — a clear-eyed comparison for first-time buyers weighing new build against an older home.
What leasehold and freehold really mean, why lease length matters, the truth about ground rent and service charges, and how leasehold reform is changing the rules for first-time buyers.
Gazumping and gazundering are two of the most stressful things that can happen before you exchange contracts. Here is what each one is, why they are legal, and how buyers and sellers protect themselves in 2026.
Sealing the deal — surveys, chains, exchange and completion, right through to picking up the keys.
How long does conveyancing take, and what actually happens between offer and completion? A clear, stage-by-stage guide for buyers and sellers.
A HomeBuyer Report or a full Building Survey? Understanding the RICS survey levels — and why a mortgage valuation is not a survey — could save you thousands. Here is how to choose the right one for your home.
A property chain links your purchase to a string of other buyers and sellers, and it is the most common reason a move collapses. Here is how chains form, why they cause delays, and how first-time buyers can sidestep them.
Exchange of contracts makes your purchase legally binding; completion is the day you get the keys. Here is what happens at each stage, the gap between them, and what can still go wrong.
Completion day is when the money moves, ownership transfers and you finally get the keys. Here is a minute-by-minute UK timeline, what can delay it, and your moving-day checklist.
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