Buying1 min read
Buying a home with a partner or friend: what to sort out first
Joint tenants or tenants in common, what happens if you split up, and why a declaration of trust is worth it when you buy with someone.
Articles
Articles for first-time buyers
Straight answers to the questions people ask before buying their first home. No jargon, no sales pitch.
Mortgages1 min read
Do you need a mortgage broker?
What a mortgage broker does, how they're paid, whether they search the whole market, and when going straight to a lender makes sense.
Mortgages1 min read
Getting a mortgage when you're self-employed
What lenders want from self-employed first-time buyers: how many years of accounts, the HMRC documents to get ready, and how your income is worked out.
Saving1 min read
Gifted deposits: how family help with your deposit works
Lots of first-time buyers get help from family. Here's what lenders and solicitors need, the gift letter, and the questions to talk through first.
Buying1 min read
How long does it take to buy a house?
From offer accepted to getting the keys usually takes 8 to 14 weeks. Here's what happens in that time and how to keep it moving.
Saving2 min read
How much deposit do you need for your first home?
Most lenders want at least 5% of the price. Here's what that means in pounds, why more can help, and the other cash you'll need on day one.
Buying1 min read
How to choose a solicitor or conveyancer
What a conveyancer does, solicitor or licensed conveyancer, what the quote should include, and how to keep things moving.
Mortgages1 min read
How to get your credit file ready for a mortgage
Simple steps to tidy your credit file before applying for a mortgage, from the electoral roll to old accounts, and what to avoid in the months before.
Buying1 min read
How to make an offer on a house, and get it accepted
How to decide what to offer, why being a first-time buyer helps, what to say, and what happens next.
Buying1 min read
Leasehold or freehold: what first-time buyers need to know
What leasehold really means, the lease length that matters, ground rent and service charges, and what's changing in the law.
Buying1 min read
New build or older home: which is better for a first-time buyer?
The pros and cons of buying new, from warranties and low bills to snagging and the new build premium, against an older home's space and character.
Costs1 min read
The costs of buying a home that nobody mentions
Beyond the deposit: legal fees, searches, surveys, stamp duty, mortgage fees and the things you'll need in your first week.
Mortgages2 min read
What is a mortgage in principle, and when should you get one?
A mortgage in principle is a lender's rough idea of what it might lend you. Here's what it is, what it isn't, and the right time to get one.
Buying1 min read
What is gazumping, and how can you avoid it?
Gazumping is when a seller accepts a higher offer after accepting yours. Here's why it can happen, and the steps that make it less likely.
Buying1 min read
What to look for when you view a house
The checks that matter at a first viewing, the questions to ask the agent, and why a second viewing is worth it.
Buying1 min read
Which house survey do you need? Level 1, 2 or 3
The three RICS survey levels explained: what each one checks, what it costs, and which suits a new flat, a typical house or an older home.