Buying Your First Home: The Real Deal (Without the Jargon!)

Buying your first home is one of life’s biggest milestones. It’s exciting, emotional, and often overwhelming — especially once your offer has been accepted and the real process begins.

While most people focus on getting a mortgage agreed, it’s what happens after your offer is accepted that can cause the most confusion. So let’s break it down, step by step, in plain English.

Offer accepted — why it’s not “done” yet

Getting your offer accepted feels like crossing the finish line. In reality, it’s the starting point.

At this stage, nothing is legally binding. Either side can still walk away, which is why the next steps are so important. Once the offer is agreed:

• The estate agent issues a memorandum of sale

• You instruct a conveyancing solicitor

• Your mortgage application moves to full submission

• Surveys and legal checks begin

Getting your solicitor in place early can save weeks later on.

What conveyancing actually involves

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of the property to you. Your solicitor’s role is to protect your interests — even when it feels like they’re slowing things down.

They will:

• Carry out searches with the local authority

• Review the legal title

• Raise enquiries with the seller’s solicitor

• Check there are no legal issues attached to the property

Delays here are common, but they’re often a sign of thorough work rather than a problem.

Searches: slow but essential

Searches uncover information you can’t see when you view a property. This includes:

• Planning permissions

• Flood risk

• Road schemes

• Drainage and water issues

Local authority search times vary hugely. Some come back in days, others take weeks. While frustrating, these checks help prevent expensive surprises after you’ve moved in.

Surveys: for you, not your lender

Your lender’s valuation is not a survey. It simply confirms the property is worth what you’re paying.

As a buyer, you might want:

• A homebuyer report

• Or a full structural survey, especially for older homes

Surveys often highlight issues like damp or roof repairs. That doesn’t mean the purchase is falling apart — it can lead to renegotiation or peace of mind.

Freehold vs leasehold — know what you’re buying

Freehold purchases tend to be more straightforward. You own the property and the land it sits on.

Leasehold properties — often flats — involve more complexity. Your solicitor will check:

• Length of the lease

• Ground rent and service charges

• Management company responsibilities

Leasehold transactions usually take longer, but understanding the terms upfront helps avoid future surprises.

Exchange and completion explained

Once your mortgage offer is issued, searches are back, and enquiries are resolved, you’ll move to exchange of contracts.

This is the point where the purchase becomes legally binding. You’ll pay your deposit and agree a completion date.

On completion day, funds are transferred and you receive the keys. It can be smooth — or it can involve waiting around while money moves through the system. Booking removals with flexibility is always wise.

Delays: what they really mean

Delays are part of almost every property purchase. They might be caused by:

• Long chains

• Slow councils

• Additional legal questions

• Other buyers or sellers not being ready

Not all delays are bad. Some exist to protect you. The best preparation is realistic expectations, organised paperwork, and asking questions when you’re unsure.

Final thoughts for first-time buyers

Buying your first home isn’t just a financial transaction. It’s a legal process, an emotional journey, and sometimes a test of patience.

But when you understand what’s happening — and why — it becomes far more manageable.

Clear advice, realistic timelines, and good communication can turn a stressful experience into a confident one.