First-time buyers advice guides

Our expert guidance can help you understand how to take your first step on to the property ladder and buy your first home.

8 articles

How to buy a house

Our step-by-step guide to buying a home explains everything you need to know, from saving for a mortgage deposit to making an offer and moving in

2 February 2024

Help to Buy

Find out how the different Help to Buy schemes work, and their pros and cons, so you can decide whether Help to Buy could make buying a property easier for you.

The household bills you'll pay as a homeowner

Discover the household bills and maintenance costs you need to budget for when you buy your first home

6 April 2024

Buying a home

Everything you need to know about buying a house, from finding a property and making an offer to dealing with estate agents and the conveyancing process.

Right to Buy

Everything you need to know about how Right to Buy works, including eligibility, getting a Right to Buy mortgage, and how much money you could save.

23 October 2023

First Homes scheme

Find out how the government's new First Homes scheme works, including details of how first-time buyers can get a 30% discount.

5 April 2023

Lease extension and buying a freehold

Find out about the process of extending a lease or buying the freehold if you're a leaseholder.

1 February 2023

What is affordable housing?

What is an affordable housing scheme, and how can it help you get on to the property ladder?

11 January 2023