Buying your first home: step-by-step process and timeline

Last updated: May 7, 2026

Buying a house in the UK usually follows a similar set of steps, although the order isn’t always straightforward and timescales can vary. 

For most buyers, the whole process takes around seven months, but this can move faster or slower depending on factors such as mortgage approvals, surveys, legal work and whether there’s a chain involved. In April 2026, our House Price Index found the average time to find a buyer for a home nationally is just over two months (66 days). While the average time from sold to completion is around five months*. 

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 step‑by‑step guide explains what to expect at each stage, so you can make informed decisions throughout your home‑buying journey. 

Step 1: Saving for a deposit 

A deposit is the money you put towards the purchase price of a property, on top of your mortgage. While zero‑deposit mortgages and other first-time buyer buying schemes do exist, most UK lenders typically ask for a minimum deposit of 5%, with some mortgage products requiring more. 

Putting down a larger deposit can also unlock better mortgage rates, potentially reducing your monthly repayments. 

Saving regularly (even small amounts) 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. 

There are also savings products designed for first‑time buyers, such as Lifetime ISAs, which offer a government bonus as long as you meet certain criteria. These products come with specific rules and eligibility criteria, so it’s important to check they’re right for you before committing. 

Step 2: Getting mortgage‑ready 

Alongside saving for a deposit, it’s 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. Read more about mortgage affordability here. 

Work out your budget 

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 debts and savings. 

Try our Mortgage Calculator

Work out your home-buying budget

Remember to factor in additional costs beyond the purchase price, including: 

• Legal fees 

• Surveys 

• Removal costs 

• Changes to council tax and utility bills 

• Stamp Duty Land Tax (or the equivalent in Scotland and Wales) 

You can also use our stamp duty calculator to estimate how much tax you might need to pay. 

Find out how much you could borrow 

Mortgage lenders assess affordability using a range of factors, including your income, deposit size, credit history and any ongoing financial commitments. 

Because each lender uses different criteria, the amount you’re offered can vary. You can find out more about how lenders assess affordability for a mortgage. 

Our mortgage calculator can give you a rough idea of how much you may be able to borrow, although this isn’t a guarantee. 

Apply for a Mortgage in Principle 

A Mortgage in Principle (sometimes called an Agreement in Principle or a Decision in Principle) is a statement from a lender indicating how much they may be willing to lend you. While it isn’t a formal mortgage offer, it shows estate agents and sellers that you’re a serious buyer with your finances in order. 

Many sellers expect buyers to have a Mortgage in Principle before making an offer. 

This doesn’t tie you to a specific lender or mortgage product. It simply confirms that, based on an initial review of your finances, a lender believes you could afford to borrow a certain amount. 

At this stage, some buyers choose to work with a mortgage broker. Brokers compare deals across multiple lenders and are usually paid by the lender, although some may charge a fee — so it’s worth checking upfront. 

Get a Mortgage in Principle

Step 3: Research where you want to live 

Choosing where to live is about more than the property itself. Location plays a big role, so it’s worth researching areas that suit your lifestyle and needs: from local schools and amenities to transport links and commute times. 

Start home hunting 

Once you’ve narrowed down your preferred areas, you can use our Draw a Search feature to explore properties that sit within your chosen location. 

If you’re looking in multiple areas or comparing different types of homes, Property Lists can help you organise and keep track of your favourites. 

Setting up property alerts is the easiest way to stay on top of new listings as soon as they come onto the market. 

When attending viewings, go prepared with questions. Asking about the council tax band and EPC rating can help you understand ongoing costs. You may also want to ask: 

• Whether the property is leasehold or freehold 

• How long it’s been on the market 

• Whether the seller has found somewhere to move to 

You can find more tips on making the most of property viewings here. 

Step 4: Making an offer 

Once you’ve found a property you want to buy, the next step is to make an offer in writing. 

You don’t 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 what’s reasonable, it’s worth checking recent sold prices for similar properties in the area. 

The seller’s situation can also influence negotiations. For example, they may accept a lower offer if they’re keen to move quickly or if the property has been on the market for a while. 

When you’re ready, submit your offer to the estate agent in writing. It can help to highlight factors such as being a first‑time buyer, a cash buyer, or having flexible timings, as these can make your offer more appealing. 

If your offer is accepted, the property is usually taken off the market, although nothing is legally binding at this stage. 

Step 5: Instruct a solicitor or conveyancer 

Most buyers use a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to handle the legal side of the purchase. This includes carrying out searches, checking boundaries, reviewing contracts and ensuring there are no legal issues affecting ownership. 

They’re typically appointed shortly after your offer is accepted and will manage the legal paperwork and transfer of funds. 

Step 6: Arranging a mortgage 

After your offer is accepted, you’ll move from a Mortgage in Principle to a full mortgage application. This involves completing detailed forms and providing documents such as payslips, bank statements and proof of ID. 

The lender will review this information before deciding whether to issue a formal mortgage offer. You can read more about the mortgage application process here. 

Lender’s valuation and surveys 

As part of your application, the lender will arrange a valuation to confirm the property is worth what you’ve agreed to pay and is suitable security for the loan. 

A home survey is a separate type of survey which you’ll arrange yourself, to check the property’s condition. This assesses the property in a much more detailed way than you would do at a typical house viewing, and highlights potential issues such as defects, maintenance concerns or structural problems. Surveys range from basic reports, to more detailed inspections. 

The lender’s valuation is for the lender’s 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. 

Step 7: Exchanging contracts 

Exchanging contracts is a major milestone. At this point, the purchase becomes legally binding. 

Both parties sign identical contracts, agree a fixed completion date, and the buyer usually pays a deposit (often 10% of the purchase price). You’ll also usually need to have buildings insurance in place at this point too, which is often a condition laid out by your mortgage lender.  

After contracts are exchanged, pulling out can lead to significant financial penalties. Your solicitor will handle this stage and confirm the agreed completion date. 

Step 8: Preparing to move 

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 home-moving checklist. This might include: 

• Organising utilities, broadband and phone services 

• Redirecting your post 

• Booking a removals company or van hire 

In England, stamp duty is payable within two weeks of completion. Your solicitor will usually deal with the paperwork on your behalf. 

Step 9: Completing the sale 

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. 

At this point, the home is legally yours (yay). 

Step 10: Moving day 

On moving day, it helps to pack essentials separately so you can settle in easily during the first night or two. 

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. 

You can find a full moving checklist here. 

How long does it take to buy a house? 

In 2026, the timeline for buying a house can take around seven months on average, but timings can vary widely. Factors that can affect how long things take include: 

• How quickly a mortgage offer is issued 

• Whether the survey identifies issues 

• How responsive solicitors are 

• Whether there’s a chain of linked buyers and sellers 

House-buying timeline

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. 

Step	Typical duration
Property search and viewings	Around 2 months*
Offer accepted to arranging a mortgage	Around 3-6 weeks
Conveyancing process and exchange of contracts	Around 5 months* (this can be shorter, or even longer, based on how complex the transaction is)
Completion	Around 1-2 weeks after exchange

Buying a house FAQs

• What is the longest part of the house buying process?

  This is typically the period between having the offer accepted and exchanging contracts, when the surveys and legal checks take place. 

• Is now a good time to buy a house?

  This comes down to personal circumstances and practical factors as much as the market itself. Most buyers will choose to focus on their own affordability, stability, and long‑term plans rather than trying to time prices or interest rates perfectly. However, you can read more about when are some of the best and worst months to sell a house here.

• What else do I need when buying a house besides a mortgage broker and a solicitor?

  You will likely need a surveyor to assess the property. Buildings insurance will also be required from the exchange of contracts. And come move in day, it can help to use removal companies, van hire services or storage services. 

• What happens between being accepted for a mortgage and completing on a house?

  Once your mortgage has been approved, your solicitor will carry out any legal checks to and confirm the contracts with the seller’s 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 transferred, and you’ll receive the keys to the property.  

• What do solicitors do after a mortgage offer?

  Once the mortgage offer is in place, your solicitor will complete Land Registry and local council searches, check the property boundaries, and make sure there are no legal issues which could impact your ownership. They’ll then report to you on the legal details of the property and arrange the exchange of contracts. They also handle completion payments and register you as the new owner after the sale.

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.     

*Sources: average time to sell tracked monthly in our House Price Index, average time from sold to completion calculated based on properties marked Sold STC on Rightmove, to being removed from Rightmove.