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First-time buyer checklist: how to get mortgage-ready, step by step
The best time to prepare for your first mortgage is six to twelve months before you want to buy. Use that time to clean up your credit file, build your deposit, keep tidy bank statements and get an agreement in principle before you view homes. This checklist sets out what to do at each stage, from twelve months out to the day you get the keys.
Updated 17 September 2026. Rules and costs mainly apply to England; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland differ in places.
Start preparing
6–12 months
Before you apply. Longer if you are saving from scratch or repairing your credit.
Minimum deposit
Usually 5%
95% mortgages are widely available. A bigger deposit usually means a lower rate.
Offer accepted to keys
3–5 months
Typical in England and Wales. Chains and leasehold flats can take longer.
Broker fee with us
£0
Fee-free advice from a panel of 110+ lenders. The lender pays us.
This guide is about getting ready. For the schemes, deposit options and how we help, see our first-time buyer mortgages page.
First-time buyer timeline: what to do and when
Buying a house in the UK follows the same broad order for most people. The work you do before you make an offer decides how smoothly everything after it goes.
Your first-time buyer checklist, step by step
From twelve months out to completion day
12 months before you buy: credit file and deposit
Lenders will see your credit history from the major credit reference agencies, so look at it before they do. Errors are easier to fix with time to spare.
12-month checklist
- Check your credit report with Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, and ask them to correct any mistakes
- Register on the electoral roll at your current address. It helps lenders confirm who you are and where you live
- Pay every bill and card on time, and bring down card balances where you can
- Set a deposit target and save by standing order into a separate account
- If you are 18 to 39, consider a Lifetime ISA now: you can only use it for a home 12 months after your first payment
- If family will help, agree early whether it is a gift or a loan
Our guide to why your credit score matters explains what lenders look for. For saving, read about the Lifetime ISA, and if parents or relatives are contributing, see gifted deposits and what lenders accept. Short of a big deposit? Our guide to buying with a £5k deposit sets out the options.
6 months before: budget, affordability and bank statement habits
Lenders commonly ask for three to six months of bank statements, and an underwriter reads them line by line. The six months before you apply are the ones that count, so treat them as your application.
| Habit | Why it matters to a lender |
|---|---|
| Stay out of your overdraft | Regular overdraft use can suggest your budget is already stretched. |
| Avoid gambling transactions | Frequent betting payments often prompt questions and can lead some lenders to decline. |
| Keep a clear savings trail | Deposit money should build up visibly. Unexplained lump sums need evidence. |
| Pay rent from your own account | It shows you can manage a regular housing payment. |
| Cut subscriptions and spending you would drop anyway | Lenders compare your outgoings with the budget you declare. |
| Avoid new credit, including buy now, pay later | New debt reduces what you can borrow and adds credit searches. |
Work out a monthly payment you are comfortable with, not just the most a lender might offer. Build in a buffer for rates rising when your first deal ends. What mortgage underwriters check goes into this in more depth.
3 months before: agreement in principle and choosing a property
An agreement in principle is a lender's indication of how much it might lend, based on what you tell it and a credit check. Estate agents often ask for one before they pass on an offer. It is not a guarantee, and some lenders use a hard credit search for it, so it is worth getting advice on which lender to approach first.
Gather your documents now too: photo ID, recent payslips, your P60 and bank statements. If you are self-employed, see our self-employed mortgage guide for what you will need.
The type of property affects which lenders and deals you can use. Check before you fall for somewhere.
Freehold house
Usually the simplest for lenders
You own the building and the land. Still check for estate management charges on newer developments.
Leasehold flat
Check the lease before you offer
Ask for the years left on the lease, the ground rent and the service charge. Many lenders want a minimum number of years remaining, often with a margin beyond the mortgage term. Below 80 years, extending the lease usually costs more. See freehold vs leasehold and our leasehold reform tracker.
New build
Fewer high loan-to-value deals
Some lenders cap how much they lend on new builds, and developer incentives must be declared. Build dates can slip, so check how long your mortgage offer lasts.
Offer accepted: application, survey, conveyancer and cover
Once your offer is accepted, things move quickly. Having your conveyancer chosen and documents ready saves weeks.
- Full applicationYour adviser submits it with your documents. The lender runs a credit search and values the property.
- SurveyThe lender's valuation is for the lender. A RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey tells you about the condition.
- ConveyancingYour solicitor or conveyancer runs searches, checks the lease if there is one and raises enquiries.
- Exchange and completionYou become committed at exchange. At completion the lender releases the money and you get the keys.
Choosing a survey. A Level 2 survey suits most conventional homes in reasonable condition. A Level 3 building survey suits older, larger or altered properties. Read why a proper survey is worth it.
Choosing a conveyancer. Check they are on your lender's panel, ask for a fixed quote that lists searches and extras, and ask how quickly they typically respond.
Insurance and protection. Lenders require buildings insurance, and you are usually responsible for the property from exchange, so arrange it to start then. It is also worth thinking about how the payments would be met if you could not work. Check what your employer already provides, such as sick pay or death-in-service benefit, before deciding if you need life and critical illness cover or income protection. Taking cover is your choice.
Common mistakes first-time buyers make
Most problems we see come from something done, or not done, in the months before applying.
Taking out new credit before applying
Car finance, a new phone contract, a credit card
Each one adds a monthly commitment and a credit search, and can reduce what you can borrow. Wait until after completion.
Gambling or payday loans on statements
Even small, regular amounts get noticed
Underwriters read your statements. Stop well before the months you will be sending to a lender.
Budgeting only for the deposit
The extra costs add up
Legal fees, a survey, moving costs and possibly stamp duty all need cash. Keep a buffer for the first months in your new home.
Skipping the survey
A valuation is not a survey
Finding damp, roof or structural problems before exchange gives you the chance to renegotiate or walk away.
Not checking the lease length
A short lease can limit lenders
It can also be costly to extend and harder to sell later. Ask for the lease details before you make an offer.
Moving money around without a trail
Cash deposits and transfers need explaining
Lenders and solicitors must check where your deposit came from. Keep it in as few accounts as possible, with statements to prove it.
Be wary of anyone asking you to pay a deposit or fees to an unfamiliar account at short notice. Our guide on how to spot mortgage scams explains the warning signs.
How much does buying your first home cost?
Here is a quick overview of the cash you need beyond the mortgage. Our first-time buyer page breaks these down further.
| Cost | Typical amount | When you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Usually at least 5% of the price | At exchange or completion |
| Conveyancing | Around £1,500 including searches and VAT | Searches early, balance at completion |
| Survey | From about £400 for a RICS Level 2 | Before exchange |
| Lender fees | Often £0 to £1,000 or more | On application or added to the loan |
| Stamp duty (England and Northern Ireland) | £0 up to £300,000; 5% on the part from £300,001 to £500,000 | Usually paid by your solicitor on or just after completion |
| Moving and setting up | A few hundred pounds upwards | Around completion |
| Broker fee | £0 with Quick Mortgages | Never |
We are not tax advisers and this is not tax advice. The stamp duty figures are a general summary based on the rules published at the time of writing, and we make no warranty about the tax you will pay. First-time buyer relief does not apply to homes over £500,000, and Scotland and Wales have their own taxes. Your solicitor or conveyancer will confirm the amount due. Speak to a qualified tax adviser or accountant about your own circumstances.
First-time buyer mortgage FAQs
How far in advance should I prepare for a mortgage?
Ideally six to twelve months. That gives time to fix credit file errors, show steady saving and build up clean bank statements. If your finances are already in order, you may be ready sooner.
What do first-time buyers need to do first?
Check your credit report, register on the electoral roll and work out a realistic budget including costs beyond the deposit. Then speak to an adviser before you apply for an agreement in principle.
Does getting an agreement in principle affect my credit score?
It depends on the lender. Many use a soft search that other lenders cannot see, but some use a hard search. Making several applications in a short time can count against you.
Can I buy a house with a small deposit or a short credit history?
Often, yes. Many lenders accept a 5% deposit, and a thin credit file does not rule you out, though it can narrow your choice of lender. Buying jointly or with family help can also make a difference.
Should I change jobs before applying for a mortgage?
If you can, wait. Some lenders want you to have passed probation or to have been in a role for a set time, although many will lend to people who have moved within the same line of work. Talk to an adviser before you apply.
Get a personal first-time buyer checklist
Every buyer's starting point is different. We can review your credit, deposit and budget, tell you honestly what to fix first, and match you to a lender from our panel of 110+, including lenders that suit thin credit files or low deposits.
Quick Mortgages is whole-of-market with no broker fees, based in Birmingham and helping first-time buyers across the UK. See how our first-time buyer mortgage advice works, or try our mortgage search tool.
Sources
- GOV.UK, Stamp Duty Land Tax: residential property rates and first-time buyer relief
- GOV.UK, Lifetime ISA guidance
- MoneyHelper, How to check your credit report, and registering to vote to help your credit rating
- Experian and Equifax, guides to the electoral roll and your credit file
- RICS, consumer guide to home surveys (Levels 1, 2 and 3)
- HomeOwners Alliance, conveyancing fees and survey costs guides, 2026
Correct on 17 September 2026 and may change.
Disclaimer:
This article is for general guidance purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Mortgage products and their terms can vary, and it is important to seek advice from a qualified, regulated professional who can assess your individual circumstances. Please ensure you consider your unique needs before making any financial decisions.
While every effort is made to ensure that the information provided on this blog is accurate and up-to-date, we do not guarantee its completeness or accuracy. The mortgage market can change rapidly, and the information on this blog may become outdated. We recommend verifying any information before acting on it and seeking tailored advice.
THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE SECURING OTHER DEBTS AGAINST YOUR HOME. YOUR HOME OR PROPERTY MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT.
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