{"id":11893,"date":"2026-05-07T17:24:03","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T16:24:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/guides\/?page_id=11893"},"modified":"2026-05-07T17:24:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T16:24:05","slug":"how-to-buy-a-house-timeline","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/guides\/buyer\/buying-a-property\/how-to-buy-a-house-timeline\/","title":{"rendered":"Buying your first home: step-by-step process and timeline"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Last updated: May 7, 2026<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"c-section c-section--primary-lighter my-4\" id=\"\">\n    <h2 class=\"c-section__title\">\n        In summary:    <\/h2>\n    <div class=\"c-section__content\">\n        <ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"7\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The UK house-buying process typically takes around seven months* right now, but timelines vary (especially if you\u2019re in a chain)<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"7\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0buying a home with a\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">mortgage<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, get\u00a0your\u00a0deposit and\u00a0other\u00a0finances in place\u00a0as\u00a0early\u00a0as you can, including a clear budget for fees, surveys, removals and\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/guides\/buyer\/what-is-stamp-duty\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">stamp duty<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"7\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\/mortgage-in-principle\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Mortgage in Principle<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> can help you understand\u00a0your home-buying budget\u00a0and show sellers\u00a0and estate agents\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0ready to\u00a0proceed<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"7\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Work through the steps from research and viewings to offer, mortgage, legal work,\u00a0exchange\u00a0and completion, and be aware\u00a0that\u00a0some stages can overlap<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"c-contents js-toggle c-contents--open\" id=\"\" data-toggle-active=\"c-contents--open\">\n    <button class=\"c-contents__header js-toggle-trigger\">\n        <h2 id=\"contents\" class=\"c-contents__title\">Contents<\/h2>\n        <svg class=\"c-icon c-icon--chevron-line-down c-contents__header__chevron\"><use xlink:href=\"#icon-chevron-line-down\"><\/use><\/svg>    <\/button>\n    <div class=\"c-contents__body js-contents-body\">\n        <div class=\"row\">\n            <div class=\"col-12 col-md-6\">\n                <ul class=\"list-unstyled mb-0\"><li><a href=\"#step-1-saving-for-a-deposit\" target=\"\" class=\"text-decoration-none c-link\">\nStep 1: Saving for a deposit&nbsp;\n<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#step-2-getting-mortgage-ready\" target=\"\" class=\"text-decoration-none c-link\">\nStep 2: Getting&nbsp;mortgage\u2011ready&nbsp;\n<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#step-3-research-where-you-want-to-live\" target=\"\" class=\"text-decoration-none c-link\">\nStep 3: Research where you want to live&nbsp;\n<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#step-4-making-an-offer\" target=\"\" class=\"text-decoration-none c-link\">\nStep 4: Making an offer&nbsp;\n<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#step-5-instruct-a-solicitor-or-conveyancer\" target=\"\" class=\"text-decoration-none c-link\">\nStep&nbsp;5:&nbsp;Instruct&nbsp;a solicitor or conveyancer&nbsp;\n<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#step-6-arranging-a-mortgage\" target=\"\" class=\"text-decoration-none c-link\">\nStep&nbsp;6: Arranging a mortgage&nbsp;\n<\/a><\/li><\/ul>            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"col-12 col-md-6\">\n                <ul class=\"list-unstyled mb-0\"><li><a href=\"#step-7-exchanging-contracts\" target=\"\" class=\"text-decoration-none c-link\">\nStep 7: Exchanging contracts&nbsp;\n<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#step-8-preparing-to-move\" target=\"\" class=\"text-decoration-none c-link\">\nStep 8: Preparing to move&nbsp;\n<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#step-9-completing-the-sale\" target=\"\" class=\"text-decoration-none c-link\">\nStep 9: Completing the sale&nbsp;\n<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#step-10-moving-day\" target=\"\" class=\"text-decoration-none c-link\">\nStep 10: Moving day&nbsp;\n<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#how-long-does-it-take-to-buy-a-house\" target=\"\" class=\"text-decoration-none c-link\">\nHow long does it take to buy a house?&nbsp;\n<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#buying-a-house-faqs\" target=\"\" class=\"text-decoration-none c-link\">\nBuying a house FAQs\n<\/a><\/li><\/ul>            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Buying a house in the UK usually follows a similar set of steps, although the order&nbsp;isn\u2019t&nbsp;always straightforward and timescales can vary.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For most buyers, the\u00a0whole\u00a0process\u00a0takes around\u00a0seven\u00a0months, but\u00a0this\u00a0can move faster or slower depending on factors such as mortgage approvals, surveys, legal work and whether\u00a0there\u2019s\u00a0a chain involved.\u00a0In April 2026, our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/news\/house-price-index\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">House Price Index<\/a>\u00a0found\u00a0the average time to find a buyer for a home nationally\u00a0is\u00a0just over two months\u00a0(66 days). While the\u00a0average time from sold to completion is around five months*.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From saving for a deposit to collecting the keys, there are several stages to work through, and some of these can happen at the same time. This\u00a0step\u2011by\u2011step\u00a0guide explains what to expect at each stage, so you can make informed decisions throughout your\u00a0home\u2011buying\u00a0journey.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"step-1-saving-for-a-deposit\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Saving for a deposit&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A deposit is the money you put towards the purchase price of a property, on top of your mortgage. While&nbsp;zero\u2011deposit&nbsp;mortgages&nbsp;and other&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\/guides\/first-time-buyers\/first-time-buyer-mortgage-schemes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">first-time buyer buying schemes<\/a>&nbsp;do exist, most UK lenders typically ask for a minimum deposit of 5%, with some mortgage products requiring more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Putting down a larger deposit can also unlock better&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/news\/articles\/property-news\/current-uk-mortgage-rates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mortgage rates<\/a>, potentially reducing your monthly repayments.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Saving regularly&nbsp;(even&nbsp;small amounts)&nbsp;can make a real difference over time. Setting a monthly savings target and treating it like a fixed bill can help you stay on track.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are also savings products designed for&nbsp;first\u2011time&nbsp;buyers, such as&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/guides\/buyer\/ways-to-buy\/lifetime-isa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lifetime ISAs<\/a>, which offer a government bonus&nbsp;as long as&nbsp;you meet certain criteria. These products come with specific rules and eligibility criteria, so&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;important to check&nbsp;they\u2019re&nbsp;right for you before committing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"step-2-getting-mortgage-ready\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Getting&nbsp;mortgage\u2011ready&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Alongside saving for a deposit,&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;important to get your finances in shape before you start looking for a home. Doing this early can help the buying process run more smoothly.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\/guides\/financing\/affordability\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read more about mortgage affordability here<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"work-out-your-budget\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Work out your budget&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Start by understanding what you can comfortably afford each month, not just what you might be able to borrow. Look at your income alongside your regular outgoings, existing&nbsp;debts&nbsp;and savings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\/calculators\/mortgage-calculator\"\n   target=\"\"\n   class=\"my-5 c-calculator-module c-calculator-module--tall c-calculator-module--layout-1 c-calculator-module--light \" \n   data-module-admin-id=\"36a781e8d75f4f7163cd688dd9d0135e\">\n    <div class=\"c-calculator-module__media\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/guides\/content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/mortgage-calc-150x150-1.png)\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"c-calculator-module__body c-wp c-wp--flush\">\n        <h2 class=\"c-calculator-module__title\">\n            <span>Try our Mortgage Calculator<\/span>        <\/h2>\n        <div class=\"c-calculator-module__content c-wp c-wp--flush\"><p>Work out your home-buying budget<\/p>\n<\/div>\n        <div class=\"c-calculator-module__footer \">\n                        <div class=\"c-calculator-module__footer__item c-calculator-module__footer__item--cta\">\n                <div class=\"c-calculator-module__cta\">\n                    <svg class=\"c-icon c-icon--arrow-line-right\"><use xlink:href=\"#icon-arrow-line-right\"><\/use><\/svg>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/a>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Remember to factor in&nbsp;additional&nbsp;costs beyond the purchase price, including:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Legal fees&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Surveys&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Removal costs&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Changes to council tax and utility bills&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stamp Duty Land Tax (or the equivalent in Scotland and Wales)&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also use&nbsp;our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/stamp-duty-calculator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">stamp duty calculator<\/a>&nbsp;to estimate how much tax you might need to pay.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"find-out-how-much-you-could-borrow\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Find out how much you could borrow&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Mortgage lenders assess affordability using a range of factors, including your income, deposit size, credit&nbsp;history&nbsp;and any ongoing financial commitments.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because each lender uses different criteria, the amount&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;offered can vary. You can find out more about&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\/guides\/financing\/affordability\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">how lenders assess affordability for a mortgage<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\/calculators\/mortgage-calculator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mortgage calculator<\/a>&nbsp;can give you&nbsp;a rough idea&nbsp;of how much you may be able to borrow, although this&nbsp;isn\u2019t&nbsp;a guarantee.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"apply-for-a-mortgage-in-principle\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Apply for a Mortgage in Principle&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\/guides\/financing\/mortgage-in-principle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mortgage in Principle<\/a>&nbsp;(sometimes called an Agreement in Principle&nbsp;or a Decision in Principle) is a statement from a lender&nbsp;indicating&nbsp;how much they may be willing to lend you. While it&nbsp;isn\u2019t&nbsp;a formal mortgage offer, it shows estate agents and sellers that&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;a serious buyer with your finances in order.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many sellers expect buyers to have a Mortgage in Principle before making an offer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This&nbsp;doesn\u2019t&nbsp;tie you to a specific lender or mortgage product. It simply confirms that, based on&nbsp;an initial&nbsp;review of your finances, a lender believes you could afford to borrow a certain amount.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At this stage, some buyers choose to work with a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\/guides\/how-to-get-a-mortgage\/mortgage-broker-adviser\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mortgage broker<\/a>. Brokers compare deals across multiple lenders and are usually paid by the lender, although some may charge a fee \u2014 so&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;worth checking upfront.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\/mortgage-in-principle\"\n   target=\"\"\n   class=\"my-5 c-calculator-module c-calculator-module--tall c-calculator-module--layout-1 c-calculator-module--light c-calculator-module--no-content\" \n   data-module-admin-id=\"fab375232cae423c05d6dc69f1b2a777\">\n    <div class=\"c-calculator-module__media\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/guides\/content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/mortgage-principle-300x268-1.png)\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"c-calculator-module__body c-wp c-wp--flush\">\n        <h2 class=\"c-calculator-module__title\">\n            <span>Get a Mortgage in Principle<\/span>        <\/h2>\n        \n        <div class=\"c-calculator-module__footer \">\n                        <div class=\"c-calculator-module__footer__item c-calculator-module__footer__item--cta\">\n                <div class=\"c-calculator-module__cta\">\n                    <svg class=\"c-icon c-icon--arrow-line-right\"><use xlink:href=\"#icon-arrow-line-right\"><\/use><\/svg>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/a>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"step-3-research-where-you-want-to-live\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3: Research where you want to live&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Choosing where to live is about more than the property itself. Location plays&nbsp;a big role, so&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;worth researching areas that suit your lifestyle and needs:&nbsp;from local schools and amenities to transport links and commute times.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"start-home-hunting\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Start home hunting&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Once&nbsp;you\u2019ve&nbsp;narrowed down your preferred areas, you can use&nbsp;our&nbsp;Draw a Search feature to explore properties&nbsp;that sit&nbsp;within your chosen location.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;looking in multiple areas or comparing&nbsp;different types&nbsp;of homes, Property Lists can help you organise and keep track of your favourites.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Setting up property alerts is the easiest way to stay on top of new listings as soon as they come onto the market.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When attending viewings, go prepared with questions. Asking about the council tax band and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/guides\/energy-efficiency\/energy-performance-certificates\/what-is-an-epc\/\">EPC rating<\/a> can help you understand ongoing costs. You may also want to ask:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Whether the property is leasehold or freehold&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How long&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;been on the market&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Whether the seller has found somewhere to move to&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You can find more tips on&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/guides\/buyer\/buying-a-property\/viewings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">making the most of property viewings<\/a>&nbsp;here.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"step-4-making-an-offer\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 4: Making an offer&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once&nbsp;you\u2019ve&nbsp;found a property you want to buy, the next step is to make an offer&nbsp;in writing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You&nbsp;don\u2019t&nbsp;have to offer the asking price straight away. Starting lower can give you room to negotiate and may reduce what you eventually pay. To decide&nbsp;what\u2019s&nbsp;reasonable,&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;worth checking recent sold prices for&nbsp;similar properties&nbsp;in the area.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The seller\u2019s situation can also influence negotiations. For example, they may accept a lower offer if&nbsp;they\u2019re&nbsp;keen to move quickly or if the property has been on the market for a while.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;ready,&nbsp;submit&nbsp;your offer to the estate agent in writing. It can help to highlight factors such as being a&nbsp;first\u2011time&nbsp;buyer, a cash buyer, or having flexible timings, as these can make your offer more appealing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your offer is accepted, the property is usually taken off the market,&nbsp;although nothing is legally binding at this stage.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"step-5-instruct-a-solicitor-or-conveyancer\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step&nbsp;5:&nbsp;Instruct&nbsp;a solicitor or conveyancer&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most buyers use a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to handle the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/guides\/buyer\/once-offer-accepted\/conveyancing\/\">legal side of the purchase<\/a>. This includes carrying out searches, checking boundaries, reviewing&nbsp;contracts&nbsp;and ensuring there are no legal issues affecting ownership.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They\u2019re&nbsp;typically appointed shortly after your offer is accepted and will manage the legal paperwork and transfer of funds.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"step-6-arranging-a-mortgage\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step&nbsp;6: Arranging a mortgage&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After your offer is accepted,&nbsp;you\u2019ll&nbsp;move from a Mortgage in Principle to a full mortgage application. This involves completing detailed forms and providing documents such as payslips, bank&nbsp;statements&nbsp;and proof of ID.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lender will review this information before deciding whether to issue a formal mortgage offer. You can read more about the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\/guides\/how-to-get-a-mortgage\/submitting-mortgage-application\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mortgage application process here<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"lenders-valuation-and-surveys\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lender\u2019s valuation and surveys&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of your application, the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\/guides\/how-to-get-a-mortgage\/lenders-valuation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">lender will arrange a valuation<\/a>&nbsp;to confirm the property is worth what&nbsp;you\u2019ve&nbsp;agreed to pay and is suitable security for the loan.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A&nbsp;home survey is a separate type of&nbsp;survey which&nbsp;you\u2019ll&nbsp;arrange yourself, to check the property\u2019s condition.&nbsp;This assesses the property&nbsp;in a much more detailed way than you would do at a typical house viewing,&nbsp;and highlights potential issues such as defects, maintenance&nbsp;concerns&nbsp;or structural problems. Surveys range&nbsp;from basic reports,&nbsp;to more detailed inspections.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lender\u2019s valuation is for the lender\u2019s benefit and usually provides limited detail to buyers. A survey, on the other hand, is for you. If it uncovers issues, you may be able to renegotiate the price or ask the seller to resolve problems before moving forward.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"step-7-exchanging-contracts\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 7: Exchanging contracts&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Exchanging contracts is a major milestone. At this point, the purchase becomes legally binding.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both parties sign identical contracts, agree a fixed completion date, and the buyer usually pays a deposit&nbsp;(often 10% of the purchase price).&nbsp;You\u2019ll&nbsp;also usually need to have buildings insurance in place at this point too, which is often a condition laid out by your mortgage&nbsp;lender.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After&nbsp;contracts are exchanged, pulling out can lead to significant financial penalties. Your solicitor will handle this stage and confirm the agreed completion date.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"step-8-preparing-to-move\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 8: Preparing to move&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With contracts exchanged and a completion date set, you can start preparing to move with confidence: we outline some of the things you can prepare in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/guides\/home-moving-checklist\/\">home-moving checklist<\/a>. This might include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Organising utilities, broadband and phone services&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Redirecting your post&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Booking a removals company or van hire&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In England, stamp duty is payable within two weeks of completion. Your solicitor will usually deal with the paperwork on your behalf.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"step-9-completing-the-sale\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 9: Completing the sale&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Completion is when ownership of the property officially transfers to you. The purchase money is sent to the seller, and once confirmed, the estate agent releases the keys.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At this point, the home is legally yours&nbsp;(yay).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"step-10-moving-day\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 10: Moving day&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>On moving day, it helps to pack essentials separately so you can settle in easily during the first night or two.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Labelling boxes by room can also make unloading quicker and less stressful. Once you arrive, remember to take meter readings and pass them on to your utility providers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can find a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/guides\/home-moving-checklist\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">full moving checklist here<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"how-long-does-it-take-to-buy-a-house\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long does it take to buy a house?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2026, the timeline for buying a house&nbsp;can take around seven months on average, but timings can vary widely.&nbsp;Factors that can affect how long&nbsp;things take&nbsp;include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How quickly a mortgage offer is issued&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Whether the survey&nbsp;identifies&nbsp;issues&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How responsive solicitors are&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Whether&nbsp;there\u2019s&nbsp;a chain of linked buyers and sellers&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"house-buying-timeline\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">House-buying timeline<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Below is a rough guide to typical timescales at each stage. These are averages rather than guarantees, and remember, some parts of the process can overlap.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Step<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Typical duration<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Property search and viewings&nbsp;<\/td><td>Around&nbsp;2 months*&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/mortgages\/guides\/how-to-get-a-mortgage\/submitting-mortgage-application\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Offer accepted to&nbsp;arranging a mortgage<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Around&nbsp;3-6&nbsp;weeks&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Conveyancing process&nbsp;and exchange of contracts&nbsp;<\/td><td>Around 5 months*&nbsp;(this can be shorter, or even longer, based on&nbsp;how complex the transaction is)&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Completion&nbsp;<\/td><td>Around&nbsp;1-2&nbsp;weeks after exchange&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"buying-a-house-faqs\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Buying a house FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n<ul class=\"c-faqs\" id=\"\">\n            <li class=\"c-faqs__item\">\n            <h3 id=\"what-is-the-longest-part-of-the-house-buying-process\" class=\"c-faqs__question\">What is the longest part of the house buying process?<\/h3>\n            <div class=\"c-faqs__answer\">\n                <p><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW178733566 BCX0\">This is typically the period between having the offer accepted and exchanging\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW178733566 BCX0\">contracts, when<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW178733566 BCX0\">\u00a0the surveys and legal checks take place.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n            <li class=\"c-faqs__item\">\n            <h3 id=\"is-now-a-good-time-to-buy-a-house\" class=\"c-faqs__question\">Is now a good time to buy a house?<\/h3>\n            <div class=\"c-faqs__answer\">\n                <p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW152783274 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW152783274 BCX0\">This comes down to\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW152783274 BCX0\">personal circumstances and practical factors as much as the market itself.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW152783274 BCX0\">Most<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW152783274 BCX0\">\u00a0buyers\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW152783274 BCX0\">will choose to focus<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW152783274 BCX0\">\u00a0on<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW152783274 BCX0\">\u00a0their own<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW152783274 BCX0\">\u00a0affordability, stability, and long<\/span><\/span><span class=\"NoBreakHyphenBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW152783274 BCX0\">\u2011<\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW152783274 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW152783274 BCX0\">term plans<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW152783274 BCX0\">\u00a0rather than trying to time\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW152783274 BCX0\">prices or interest rates perfectly.<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW152783274 BCX0\">\u00a0However, you can read more about when are some of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW152783274 BCX0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/guides\/seller\/preparing-to-sell\/is-now-the-right-time-to-sell\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW152783274 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW152783274 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">best and worst months to sell a house here<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW152783274 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW152783274 BCX0\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n            <li class=\"c-faqs__item\">\n            <h3 id=\"what-else-do-i-need-when-buying-a-house-besides-a-mortgage-broker-and-a-solicitor\" class=\"c-faqs__question\">What else do I need when buying a house besides a mortgage broker and a solicitor?<\/h3>\n            <div class=\"c-faqs__answer\">\n                <p><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW45414168 BCX0\">You will\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW45414168 BCX0\">likely need<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW45414168 BCX0\">\u00a0a surveyor to assess the property.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW45414168 BCX0\">Buildings insurance will also be\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW45414168 BCX0\">required<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW45414168 BCX0\">\u00a0from the exchange of contracts. And come move in day, it can help to use removal companies, van hire services or storage services.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n            <li class=\"c-faqs__item\">\n            <h3 id=\"what-happens-between-being-accepted-for-a-mortgage-and-completing-on-a-house\" class=\"c-faqs__question\">What happens between being accepted for a mortgage and completing on a house?<\/h3>\n            <div class=\"c-faqs__answer\">\n                <p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW264193015 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW264193015 BCX0\">Once your mortgage has been approved, your solicitor will carry out any legal checks to and confirm the contracts with the seller\u2019s solicitor. When everything is agreed, the contracts will be exchanged, and a completion date will be set. When the completion date arrives, the funds will be\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW264193015 BCX0\">transferred,<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW264193015 BCX0\">\u00a0and you\u2019ll receive the keys to the property.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW264193015 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n            <li class=\"c-faqs__item\">\n            <h3 id=\"what-do-solicitors-do-after-a-mortgage-offer\" class=\"c-faqs__question\">What do solicitors do after a mortgage offer?<\/h3>\n            <div class=\"c-faqs__answer\">\n                <p><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW98022123 BCX0\">Once the mortgage offer is in place,\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW98022123 BCX0\">your<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW98022123 BCX0\">\u00a0solicitor will complete\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW98022123 BCX0\">Land Registry and local council searches, check<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW98022123 BCX0\">\u00a0the<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW98022123 BCX0\">\u00a0property boundaries,\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW98022123 BCX0\">and make<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW98022123 BCX0\">\u00a0sure there are no legal issues which could\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW98022123 BCX0\">impact<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW98022123 BCX0\">\u00a0your ownership.<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW98022123 BCX0\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW98022123 BCX0\">They\u2019ll<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW98022123 BCX0\">\u00a0then report to you on the legal details of the property and<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW98022123 BCX0\">\u00a0arrange the exchange of contracts. They also handle completion payments and register you as the new owner after the sale.<\/span><\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Please note: Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on the mortgage. Rightmove is not authorised to give financial advice; the information and opinions provided in these articles are not intended to be financial advice and should not be relied upon when making financial decisions. Please seek advice from a regulated mortgage adviser.\u202f\u202f<\/em>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>*Sources: <em>average time to sell tracked monthly in<\/em> <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/news\/house-price-index\/\">our House Price Index<\/a>, average time from sold to completion calculated based on properties marked Sold STC on Rightmove, to being removed from Rightmove.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Buying a house in the UK usually follows a similar set of steps, although the order&nbsp;isn\u2019t&nbsp;always straightforward and timescales can vary.&nbsp; For most buyers, the\u00a0whole\u00a0process\u00a0takes around\u00a0seven\u00a0months, but\u00a0this\u00a0can move faster or slower depending on factors such as mortgage approvals, surveys, legal work and whether\u00a0there\u2019s\u00a0a chain involved.\u00a0In April 2026, our\u00a0House Price Index\u00a0found\u00a0the average time to find a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":11905,"parent":1259,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-11893","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"author_profile":[]},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Buying your first home: step-by-step process and timeline | Rightmove Guides<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Our step-by-step guide to buying a house, including the timeline for buying a house and what to expect if you&#039;re a first-time buyer.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/guides\/buyer\/buying-a-property\/how-to-buy-a-house-timeline\/\" \/>\n<meta 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