Buying your first home? 🏡
It might feel overwhelming at first—but it doesn’t have to be. At Harry Charles, we’re here to make the journey simple, smooth, and stress-free. Whether you're just starting to budget or ready to pick up the keys, our 12-step guide will walk you through every stage of the process. Let’s get you moving!

Step One: Work out your budget
Take a close look at your income, your savings for a deposit (typically 5-10%), and any monthly financial commitments you already have.
Use online mortgage calculators to see what you can realistically afford and check your credit score—it’ll impact what lenders will offer you.

Step Two: Get an Agreement in Principle, or AIP
This is a statement from a lender confirming how much you could borrow in principle.
It’s not a full mortgage offer, but it shows agents and sellers you’re serious.”

Step Three: Start looking for properties
Use websites like Rightmove or Zoopla, and don’t forget to check the Harry Charles website or register with us directly, so you get notified as soon as new listings come up.

Step Four: Arrange viewings
Contact us by phone, email, or through our website.
We’ll book appointments that work for you and make sure you have all the details you need before you visit.

Step Five: Make an offer
When you find a property you love, tell us your offer amount, share your AIP, and confirm your deposit funds.
We’ll negotiate with the seller on your behalf.

Step Six: Once your offer is accepted, we’ll prepare a Memorandum of Sale
This confirms the agreed price and sets out all the key details.
It’s not legally binding yet, but it’s an important milestone.

Step Seven: Appoint a solicitor or conveyancer to handle the legal work, and either a mortgage broker or your lender to progress your mortgage application.

Step Eight: Arrange your surveys and searches
Your lender will do a valuation, and your solicitor will order local authority searches to check for any issues with the property.

Step Nine: Your lender issues the final mortgage offer
Make sure you read everything carefully before you sign.

Step Ten: Exchange of contracts
You pay your deposit—usually five or ten percent—and at this point the sale becomes legally binding.

Step Eleven: Completion Day
Your solicitor transfers the remaining funds, and you officially own the property.

Step Twelve—the best part—collect your keys from us at Harry Charles and move into your new home!

If you’d like help at any stage, get in touch with us today.
We’d love to guide you through your first purchase.

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