Guide to Buying a House

About this guide

Buying a house can seem daunting, especially if it’s your first, but if you’re prepared it will be a lot easier. From doing your initial research to learning what happens on completion day, every stage is just as vital as the next. We’ve created an in-depth buying guide to ensure you’re familiar with each step of the house buying process.

Arguably the most important step of the process is understanding how it works first. Creating a plan and setting a budget for your move will allow you to have a realistic expectation. This guide begins with a step by step breakdown of what you need to do and when you need to do it during the buying a house process, from applying for a mortgage in principle to making an offer. 

When you’re buying a house, unexpected costs will crop up. Many people are unaware of hidden costs and forget to factor these into their budget. It costs £25,569 to buy an average 3-bedroom house costing £237,834. Throughout our buying guide, we explore the true costs of buying a house, from the typical upfront fees to the on-going costs, we cover everything for you to budget realistically. 

Another aspect of the buying process that can often be unclear is the time it takes to buy a house. How long it takes to buy a house will vary, but it will take 3-6 months for the average buyer. From how to avoid conveyancing delays to being in a property chain, we will also explore the average timeline for buying a house to help you plan a clear timescale. 

Once you’ve got a clear idea of the process, a budget and a timeline, then you can start choosing an area to live. Your desired area must be in your budget and have all the required amenities such as doctors, dentists, supermarket and good schools if needed. We explore in-depth the criteria and factors you should be looking at when deciding where to live, from employment opportunities to crime rates. 

By having all the important information in one place, with a focus on the house buying process, the cost of buying, the time it takes to buy a house and choosing an area to live, you will be fully prepared. After reading through the complete guide, we hope you’ll feel confident about what to expect when buying a house.