You’ll usually need to build up a deposit of at least 5% of the price of the property you want to buy. But it’s often worth saving more if you can bear to wait longer, as a bigger deposit means you can apply for mortgage deals with lower interest rates.

The amount a mortgage provider will lend you will depend on various things, including the size of your deposit, your income and credit score. Remember to budget for the additional costs of buying a property, such as conveyancing, surveys and stamp duty.

If you’re exploring our local neighbourhood, it’s worth spending time checking out the commute, local shops, restaurants and general atmosphere. Even if you’ve lived in the area all your life, it’s important to think about your future needs and to do some research before signing on the dotted line.

A mortgage agreement in principle (AIP) is a confirmation from a mortgage lender that they would, in principle, be willing to lend you a certain amount. It can also be known as a decision in principle (DIP) or mortgage promise. Having an AIP can make you a more attractive buyer, as it shows the seller and their estate agent that you will be able to secure the amount of money you need to buy the property.

Once you’ve chosen the area (or areas) where you’re interested in buying a home, register your details with us. Registering is free and won’t create any obligation on your part. Keep in touch with us as this will increase your chances of finding your ideal home. When you see a property you like we can organise an appointment for you to view in person.

It’s quite common to offer less than the asking price. But if other people are interested in the property, you may need to offer the asking price or more. Once you’ve decided how much to offer, you can tell the estate agent over the phone, in person or in writing too. Mention any points that stand in your favour - for example, if you’re a chain free buyer.

You’ll need to think about what type of mortgage you want to apply for –as an example, a fixed-rate mortgage or a tracker - and how long you want to spend paying your mortgage off, known as the mortgage term (25 years is the norm). We can put you in touch with a friendly mortgage broker to see how much your monthly payments would cost based on different interest rates, loan amounts and mortgage terms.

Conveyancing is the legal process that takes place after your offer is accepted. This includes carrying out searches, drawing up and checking contracts, dealing with the Land Registry and paying any stamp duty. We can organise a free quote to help you budget for your cost of move.

Property surveys help to assess the condition of the building and detect structural problems. Although a survey is optional, it’s better to be aware of any issues before buying so you can make an informed decision on how much to offer and budget for any repair work required. Most surveyors provide three ‘levels’ of survey - a condition report, a HomeBuyer’s report and a building survey. The cost will depend on the location, size and type of property. Don’t confuse the valuation survey conducted by your mortgage lender with a house survey - they are two different things and you should always have your own survey done independently.

If you don’t have a lot of furniture to move into your new property, you could hire a removal van yourself.   But if you have a lot to move, removal companies can help. Removal company costs will depend on the amount of items you need to move and the distance to your new property, among other things.   Once you’ve found one or two firms you like, check their availability before agreeing a completion date with the sellerso you're able to move on the date you agree.

It’s vital that you have buildings insurance in place on your new home from the day you exchange contracts - in fact, most mortgage providers will make this a condition of lending. This is because you are legally bound to buy the property from the moment contracts are exchanged.

The exchange of contracts happens when the buyer and seller’s legal representatives swap signed contracts, and the buyer pays the mortgage deposit. Before the exchange of contracts, you’ll need to have several things prepared in advance, such as a written mortgage offer, an agreed completion date and buildings insurance in place from the day of exchange (or from completion if you're buying a new-build.) After you’ve exchanged contracts you can breathe a sigh of relief, as the agreement for you to buy the property is now legally binding. The chances of anything falling through from this moment are extremely low. Your conveyancer will lodge an interest in the property, enabling you to pay the seller, and apply to the Land Registry to transfer the deeds to your name

Completion often takes place around two weeks after exchange, but this is flexible and you can agree a convenient date with the seller prior to exchange. On completion day, the money will be transferred to the seller and you can then collect the keys to move into your new home. Next comes the much more enjoyable task of starting to furnish or decorate the property to your taste - and maybe even taking a moment to simply relax. You’ll have earned it!