Intro
Buying your first home is one of the biggest milestones of your life, but it’s also one of the most confusing. Between saving a deposit, applying for a mortgage, viewing properties, and finally getting your keys, there are so many moving parts that it’s easy to feel lost.
This guide breaks the entire process down step by step: what to expect, what to prepare, and where the hntr app can help you stay organised along the way.
STEP 1: Check Your Finances and Set a Budget
Before you start browsing Rightmove, figure out what you can realistically afford.
That means adding up your savings, estimating your deposit, and understanding how much a lender might let you borrow.
What to do:
- Get a rough mortgage estimate using an online calculator
- Check your credit score (it affects your mortgage offers)
- Remember to include additional costs like solicitor fees, surveys, and stamp duty
Where hntr helps:
The hntr app includes a budgeting section to track every cost, from deposits to removal vans, so nothing catches you off guard later.
STEP 2: Get a Mortgage in Principle
A Mortgage in Principle (MIP) shows sellers you’re a serious buyer.
It’s a free statement from a lender saying how much they might lend you based on your income and spending.
Tip: It’s not binding, but having one can make estate agents take you more seriously during viewings.
Where hntr helps:
Inside hntr, you’ll find a recommended free mortgage broker who can help you get your MIP quickly and explain your options in plain English.
STEP 3: Start Searching and Booking Viewings
Now the fun begins looking for your future home!
Set up alerts on Rightmove and Zoopla, but also register directly with estate agents in your preferred areas.
What to remember:
- Be realistic about your “must-haves” vs “nice-to-haves”
- Try to see several homes to compare layouts and value
- Keep photos, notes, and gut reactions after every viewing
Where hntr helps:
hntr lets you log every property you view, including notes, ratings, and photos, so you never mix them up later.
STEP 4: Make an Offer
Once you find a home you love, it’s time to make an offer!
Your offer should balance what the property’s worth, what you can afford, and how competitive the market feels.
Tips:
- Research recent sold prices in the area
- Have your Mortgage in Principle (MIP) ready to show the agent
- Be prepared for negotiation
Where hntr helps:
hntr’s property comparison tool helps you weigh up features and prices side by side, so you can decide what’s fair before you submit your offer. There is also a price offer tool to help you determine the best price to offer, along with reasoning that you can share with the estate agent.
STEP 5: Instruct a Solicitor and Book a Survey
Once your offer is accepted, you’ll need to instruct a solicitor to handle the legal side and a surveyor to inspect the property.
Types of survey:
- Level 2 (HomeBuyer Report) – checks general condition
- Level 3 (Full Structural) – deeper inspection for older homes
Where hntr helps:
You can find a trusted solicitor and surveyor through hntr. We’ll guide you through all the things the solicitor will do. There is also a reminder tool in case you’d like to be reminded to follow-up with the solicitor. And there’s a survey explainer, where you can upload your survey results and we’ll call out the most important parts for you.
STEP 6: Secure Your Mortgage Offer
After the survey, your lender finalises your mortgage.
They’ll send a formal mortgage offer confirming the amount, interest rate, and term.
What to know:
- Don’t change jobs or take new credit while your mortgage is processing
- Review the small print carefully as interest rates and terms can vary
Where hntr helps:
We have a wonderful free mortgage broker ready to help!
STEP 7: Exchange Contracts
This is the moment your purchase becomes legally binding.
Until exchange, either party can still pull out, after exchange, you’re committed to the sale.
What happens:
- You and the seller sign identical contracts
- Your solicitor confirms funds and completion date
- You usually pay a deposit (normally 10% of the purchase price)
Where hntr helps:
hntr’s step-by-step checklist reminds you of everything to prepare before exchange, including confirming buildings insurance and reviewing final documents.
STEP 8: Arrange Home Insurance
Before you can complete, you’ll need buildings insurance starting from the day you exchange contracts.
That’s because once you’ve exchanged, you’re legally responsible for the property, even though you don’t have the keys yet.
What to do:
- Choose a policy that covers rebuilding costs
- Add contents insurance if you want to protect your belongings too
- Provide proof of insurance to your solicitor or lender
Where hntr helps:
hntr connects you with a trusted home insurance provider should you need one
STEP 9: Completion
This is the big day! The home officially becomes yours!
What happens:
- Your solicitor transfers the remaining funds
- The seller’s solicitor confirms receipt
- The estate agent releases your keys!
Where hntr helps:
hntr keeps track of your completion date, supplier bookings, and moving-day checklist all in one place.
STEP 10: Life After Completion
Many buyers feel a wave of “post-purchase” anxiety, that mix of exhaustion and second-guessing that comes after such a huge decision.
It’s completely normal.
Where hntr helps:
We have an emotional support chat if you just need to talk it out! It is AI-powered and trained by us, we called it Scout 🙂
FAQs
Q: How long does buying a home usually take?
Typically between 12–20 weeks from offer to completion, but it depends on the property and chain.
Q: Can I buy without a mortgage broker?
Yes, but a broker can help you find better rates and handle paperwork, especially useful for first-time buyers.
Q: Is hntr free to use?
Yes! hntr is completely free for buyers. We earn a small referral fee when users book trusted suppliers through the app, and we donate 10% of all revenue to Centrepoint to help fight youth homelessness.
Closing Thoughts
Buying your first home can feel chaotic, but it doesn’t have to.
With a bit of knowledge, and a tool like hntr to keep everything in one place, you’ll move through the process with more confidence, clarity, and calm.
➡️ Download hntr free on iOS or Android and start your journey today