First Time Buyers

Your first step onto the property ladder made simple

Buying your first home is one of life’s biggest milestones. It’s exciting, nerve-wracking, and probably feels a bit overwhelming all at once.

You’ve been saving, researching and dreaming about having your own place. Maybe you’ve started looking at properties online or even been to a few viewings. But now you’re wondering – what actually happens next? How does this whole process work? And how do you make sure you don’t mess it up?

The truth is, buying your first home involves more steps, paperwork, and decisions than most people expect. But here’s the thing. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

What Every First-Time Buyer Needs to Know

Mortgage offers come with specific terms and conditions – we’ll help you understand exactly what yours means and what you need to do.

Property chains are part of most purchases, and while they can be complex, knowing how they work helps you stay prepared and informed.

Survey results give you valuable insight into your potential new home’s condition, helping you make confident decisions about your purchase.

Government schemes can provide real benefits for first-time buyers, but each has specific rules and deadlines worth understanding properly.

Additional costs beyond the property price are part of every purchase – from legal fees to moving costs, we’ll help you budget accurately from the start.

The first-time buying process involves learning something completely new while making one of the most exciting decisions of your life. Yes, there are steps to follow and details to get right, but that’s exactly why Dootsons are here for you.

Why First-Time Buyers Need Specialist Legal Support

This is where our first-time buyer service makes all the difference. We understand that everything is new to you, and we’re here to guide you through each step with patience and clarity. With our support, you can:

  • Understand exactly what’s happening at every stage of your purchase
  • Navigate government schemes and first-time buyer benefits with confidence
  • Spot potential issues early, before they derail your purchase
  • Budget accurately for all the legal costs involved
  • Complete your first purchase with someone experienced by your side

Your First Home Purchase in 4 Simple Stages

We’ve broken down the legal process into four clear stages that are easy to follow. Each stage is explained clearly, with no assumptions about what you already know. We’re here to answer questions, however basic they might seem.

1. Getting Started

Once you’ve had an offer accepted, we’ll explain exactly what happens next and start gathering all the information we need about your chosen property.

2. Investigations and Checks

We’ll carry out all the legal searches and checks, explaining what each one means and why it matters for your specific purchase.

3. Making It Official

When everything checks out, we’ll guide you through the contract exchange process – the moment your purchase becomes legally binding.

4. Moving Day

We’ll coordinate the final legal steps and money transfer, so you can collect your keys and officially become a homeowner.

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    Apart from the actual price of the property you’re buying, there’s a number of fees and charges to keep in mind when buying your first house. And we’ve set it all out for you!

    Residential Conveyancing Fees

    ”As a first time buyer I had no idea what to do or to expect. Adele was a great help throughout the whole process, keeping me up-to date at every stage and always quick to respond to queries. Would highly recommend and will not hesitate to use Dootsons in the future. Massive thank you

    Colette
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    Ready to Buy Your First Home?

    Taking that first step onto the property ladder should be exciting, not stressful. Whether you’re using a government scheme, buying with a partner, or going it alone, we’re here to make sure your first purchase goes smoothly.

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    Get to know

    the team

    Meet the team
    michelle savage - conveyancing

    Michelle Savage - Head of Department

    Michelle is CQS accredited and brings with her in excess of 20 years experience in dealing with Conveyancing transaction including (but not limited to) sales, purchases, remortgages, transfers of equity, probate matters and shared ownership matters.

    Here's What Else You Need to Know

    An agreement in principle is an early indication from a lender that they'd be willing to lend to you, based on basic information about your income and outgoings. It's useful for house hunting because it shows sellers you're a serious buyer.

    A mortgage offer is the actual commitment from your lender to provide the loan, issued after they've done full checks on both you and the property. This is what you need before you can complete your purchase, and it usually comes with conditions that need to be met.

    There are several schemes available, but eligibility depends on your circumstances, income, and the property you're buying. These include Help to Buy equity loans, shared ownership schemes, and stamp duty relief for first-time buyers.

    We can help you understand which schemes you might qualify for and how they work in practice. Some have strict deadlines and conditions, so it's important to get proper advice early in the process.

    Most mortgage lenders require a basic valuation to confirm the property is worth what you're paying, but this is for their benefit, not yours. As a buyer, you might want additional surveys to check the property's condition.

    A homebuyer's report gives you more detail about the property's condition and highlights any major issues. A full structural survey is the most comprehensive but usually only necessary for older or unusual properties. We can advise which survey makes sense for your situation.

    Beyond our legal fees, you'll need to budget for property searches, Land Registry fees, stamp duty (if applicable), survey costs, and moving expenses. The total depends on your property's value and location.

    We provide a clear breakdown of all legal costs upfront, so you know exactly what to expect. We can also explain which costs are fixed and which might vary depending on your specific purchase.

    Before you exchange contracts, you can withdraw from the purchase without legal penalty, though you will lose money you've already spent on surveys, searches, and legal fees. It's disappointing, but sometimes it's the right decision.

    Once contracts are exchanged, you're legally committed to the purchase. If you pull out after this point, you could lose your deposit and face additional costs. We'll make sure you understand exactly when this commitment point is reached.

    Absolutely. Mortgage offers often come with conditions that need to be satisfied before completion - things like providing additional documentation, meeting certain criteria, or resolving issues with the property.

    We'll review your mortgage offer with you, explain what each condition means, and help coordinate meeting them within the required timeframes. Some conditions are straightforward, others need careful handling to avoid delays.