Buying
How to Buy a House in the UK: The Complete 2026 Guide
TDTrueDeed Editorial1 July 202612 min read
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Buying insights
Buying
Your survey found problems: can you renegotiate or pull out in England and Wales?
In England and Wales an offer is not legally binding until you exchange contracts. A survey can be a reason to renegotiate, ask for repairs, or walk away. The seller can say no.
TDTrueDeed Editorial4 November 202610 min read
Buying
Builder's price gone up since the quote? Quote versus estimate, and what to check before you pay
Citizens Advice says a quote is a promise to do the work at an agreed price, and an estimate is a best guess. A trader cannot normally raise a quote just because their costs went up. This is England guidance, not a ruling on your job.
TDTrueDeed Editorial4 November 202610 min read
Buying
Is the asking price fair? How to check what similar homes sold for in England and Wales
You can look up what homes in England and Wales sold for, free, on GOV.UK. Compare like-for-like sales nearby. That is evidence, not a valuation, and the newest months are incomplete.
TDTrueDeed Editorial4 November 20269 min read
Buying
Asking price vs sold price: check the evidence before you decide
A nearby sold price is evidence to investigate, not proof of what another home should cost. Build a comparable-sales sheet from Land Registry records and keep the unknowns visible.
TDTrueDeed Editorial4 November 20266 min read
Buying
House survey repairs: turn findings into comparable quotes
Separate findings that need investigation from work a contractor can price. Then send each contractor the same scope and compare what they include, exclude and leave uncertain.
TDTrueDeed Editorial4 November 20268 min read
Buying
How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy a House in 2026?
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.
TDTrueDeed Editorial30 June 202611 min read
Buying
How to Save for a House Deposit Fast: 10 Proven Strategies
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.
TDTrueDeed Editorial29 June 202611 min read
Buying
Is the Shared Ownership Scheme Worth It in 2026?
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.
TDTrueDeed Editorial28 June 202612 min read
Buying
What Happens on Completion Day? A UK Timeline
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.
TDTrueDeed Editorial28 June 202611 min read
Buying
The First Homes Scheme: A 2026 Guide for First-Time Buyers
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.
TDTrueDeed Editorial27 June 202611 min read
Buying
New Build vs Old House: Which Should You Buy? (2026)
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.
TDTrueDeed Editorial26 June 202611 min read
Buying
Property Chains Explained: How They Work and How to Avoid Delays
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.
TDTrueDeed Editorial26 June 202611 min read
Buying
Right to Buy & Rent to Buy: Schemes for Tenants (2026)
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.
TDTrueDeed Editorial25 June 202611 min read
Buying
Gazumping and Gazundering Explained: How to Protect Yourself
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.
TDTrueDeed Editorial24 June 202610 min read
Buying
Stamp Duty for First-Time Buyers: The Complete 2026 Guide
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.
TDTrueDeed Editorial20 June 20269 min read
Buying
How to Make a Winning Offer in a Competitive Market
When good homes get multiple bids, the highest offer doesn't always win. Here's how to make an offer on a house that stands out — and how to avoid being gazumped.
TDTrueDeed Editorial12 June 20268 min read
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