What should I know before buying a house for the first time in the UK in 2026 - done this yourself

[Protocol]

I am finally in a position to buy a first home. I have a deposit of around 15%, a decent income and no major debt. I have never bought property before and I know the process is complicated. What are the things you wish someone had told you before you went through it and what are the mistakes first-time buyers most commonly make in 2026?

[Cheugy]

Get a mortgage in principle before you start seriously viewing. Sellers and estate agents take you much more seriously as a buyer if you have it and it clarifies exactly what you can borrow before you fall in love with a house you cannot afford. Most mortgage brokers will do this for free

[PhotonBurst16]

Use a mortgage broker rather than going direct to your bank. Brokers have access to the whole market and can find deals your bank does not offer. The whole-of-market brokers like L&C or Habito are free because they take commission from the lender. There is almost no reason not to use one

[Cheeky Shaun]

The survey is the most important thing you should not skip to save money. A homebuyer's survey at around £400 to £600 is the minimum. A full structural survey at £600 to £1,500 for older properties is the correct choice for anything pre-1980. The survey that reveals a £15,000 roof problem before you exchange saves you from buying someone else's disaster

[Faded Ross]

Exchange of contracts is the moment you are legally committed and lose your deposit if you pull out. Everything before exchange can fall through with no financial penalty on either side. Understanding that exchange is the real completion of the deal not the offer acceptance changes how you think about the whole process

[Daemon55]

Solicitor quality varies enormously and the cheapest online conveyancer is often the worst choice. A slow or incompetent solicitor can collapse a chain by missing a deadline. Ask your mortgage broker or a trusted person for a solicitor recommendation rather than choosing the cheapest quote on a comparison site

[Delulu67]

Budget for costs beyond the purchase price: stamp duty at current rates even with first-time buyer relief, solicitor fees of £1,500 to £3,000, survey costs, removal costs, and the inevitable immediate maintenance costs of a property that has just changed hands. First-time buyers consistently underestimate how much money they need beyond the deposit

[GrimAnchor]

Would love to finally purchase my house, but costs too much at the moment