Your First Home, Made Simple - With Upton George by Your Side

Your trusted estate agents committed to finding your dream home or helping you sell with a tailored service just for you.

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That’s why we’ve put together this practical, easy-to-follow guide. We’ll walk you through each step of the UK home buying process — from sorting your budget and getting mortgage-ready to exchanging contracts and finally getting those keys in your hand.

1. Know Your Budget & Get Mortgage-Ready

Before you even think about booking viewings or scrolling Rightmove at 2am, you need to get real about your finances.

What to Consider:

Your income and monthly spending
How much you’ve saved for a deposit (you’ll usually need 5–10%)
Your credit score, which will affect the mortgage deals available to you
Additional costs like legal fees, surveys, removals, and possibly stamp duty

💬 Speak to a Mortgage Advisor
Getting a Mortgage Agreement in Principle (AIP) should be one of your first steps – and a mortgage advisor can help with that. An AIP gives you a clear idea of how much you can borrow and shows sellers you’re a serious buyer. At Upton George, we strongly recommend Liz Kay Mortgages Bramhall. Liz and her team are brilliant with first-time buyers – knowledgeable, friendly, and focused on finding the best deal for your situation.

👉 An AIP usually lasts 60–90 days and can be arranged fairly quickly once you’ve provided
your documents.

2. Start Your Property Search - With Help From Us

Now comes the fun part: finding your dream home. But here’s the thing – you don’t have to
do it alone.

Let Upton George Help You Find the Right Property

When you register with us, we’ll:
● Talk through your needs and budget
● Recommend suitable properties in your chosen area
● Add you to our exclusive mailing list so you hear about new listings before they hit
the market
● Offer expert insight on local property values, schools, transport links and more

📩 Just give us a ring, drop us an email or a quick call — we’re here to help make your
search simple and stress-free.

Things to Keep in Mind When Viewing:

Location – Think about nearby amenities, commute times, and future potential
Condition – Look out for any signs of damp, structural issues, or maintenance
concerns
Size & Layout – Make sure it suits your needs now and in the long term

👀 Tip: Try to view the property more than once, at different times of day, to get a proper feel
for it.

3. Make an Offer

Found a place that ticks all the boxes? Brilliant — it’s time to make an offer to the selling agent.

Here’s how it usually works:

Contact the estate agent marketing the property and let them know the amount you’d like to offer
Be prepared to share your Agreement in Principle, proof of deposit, and ID to strengthen your position
You may be asked for your solicitor’s details and how quickly you’re able to move

Once your offer is accepted, the agent will issue a memorandum of sale, confirming the agreed terms in writing to both parties and their solicitors.

Remember: An accepted offer is great news, but it’s not legally binding until you exchange contracts.

4. Instruct a Solicitor or Conveyancer

Next, you’ll need to appoint a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to handle all the legal bits – known as the “conveyancing process.”

They’ll take care of:

Carrying out property searches (e.g. local authority, drainage, environmental)
Drafting and reviewing contracts
Coordinating with your mortgage lender
Handling the exchange and completion process

Need a recommendation? Just ask — we work with reliable, experienced solicitors we
trust.

5. Finalise Your Mortgage

Once your offer is accepted, your mortgage advisor will help you submit your full mortgage application.

The lender will:

Carry out a valuation survey to confirm the property is worth the price
Review your financial documents in detail
Send a formal mortgage offer if everything checks out

Once this is done, your solicitor will also receive a copy, and things can move to the next
stage.

6. Arrange a Property Survey (Optional, But Smart)

Though not required by law, a property survey can give you peace of mind and protect you from costly surprises down the line

Types of surveys:

Homebuyer Report – Great for standard properties in reasonable condition
Building Survey – A deeper dive, ideal for older or unusual homes
Snagging Survey – For new-builds, to spot defects or unfinished work

If your survey finds issues, you might renegotiate your offer or ask the seller to fix problems before proceeding.

7. Exchange Contracts

You’re nearly there! Once your solicitor is happy with the searches and legal documents – and your mortgage is in place – it’s time to exchange contracts.

This is when:

The sale becomes legally binding
You agree on a completion date
You pay your deposit (usually 10% of the property price)

You’re officially locked in!

8. Completion Day – Pick Up Your Keys!

On your completion date, the funds will be transferred, and the property officially becomes yours

Time to:

Collect the keys from our office
Change the locks (always a smart move)
Set up utilities and council tax
Celebrate — you’re a homeowner!

Move in, get comfy, and enjoy the start of your new chapter.

FAQs for First-Time Buyers

Do I pay stamp duty as a first-time buyer?

The stamp duty thresholds for first-time buyers change on the 31st March 2025. Current
SDLT Rates for First-Time Buyers:

Up to £300,000: No SDLT is payable.
£300,001 to £500,000: A 5% SDLT rate applies to the portion of the purchase price
within this band.
Above £500,000: The standard SDLT rates apply to the entire purchase price, and
first-time buyer relief is not available

What’s an AIP and why is it important?

An Agreement in Principle gives you a clear idea of what you can afford and shows sellers you’re serious. It strengthens your offer.

Can I buy with someone else?

Yes, joint purchases are common. Just make sure both parties are clear on finances, legal
obligations, and ownership type.