Buying my first home: 10 things I learnt along the way

I went through the very exciting process of buying my first home at the end of 2025. Buying a property was always a goal of mine, but as a solo homeowner living in London, there were many moments where I questioned whether it would ever be possible. 

Despite those doubts, I officially moved into my first flat back in January. Seven months on, I’m reflecting on just how much I learnt throughout the process. So, here are some of the biggest lessons I learnt along the way. 

1. Working out what I could afford 

Before I started looking for my first home, it was important for me to understand what I could realistically afford. This meant looking beyond just how much a lender was willing to offer me and working out what monthly mortgage payments would actually feel comfortable alongside my other expenses. 

To help me understand my options, I spoke to a mortgage advisor, which I would highly recommend if you are a first-time buyer. They helped explain my borrowing options, and what my budget could look like in reality. As a first-time buyer, it’s important not to just focus on the maximum amount you can borrow. Think about what monthly payments would allow you to still enjoy your life as well as save and prepare for any unexpected costs. 

2. Saving for the deposit 

Saving for a house deposit can often feel like one of the biggest challenges when buying your first home. For me, breaking my goal down into smaller monthly targets made it feel much more achievable. Using a Lifetime ISA also helped me save towards my deposit faster, thanks to the Government’s 25% bonus on eligible contributions. 

However, one thing I quickly learnt was that the deposit is only one part of the cost of buying a home. There are also legal fees, surveys, moving costs, furniture, insurance and other unexpected expenses to consider. Because of this, I’d highly recommend saving an extra £5,000-£6,000 to help cover all the extra costs involved in buying a home. 

3. Checking my credit file and improving my credit score 

I always knew the importance of having a good credit score when applying for a mortgage, but I didn’t realise how useful it was to regularly check my credit report. 

Checking your credit report early can help you understand your current position and identify any areas for improvement before applying for a mortgage. There are free platforms like Experian and Credit Karma that allow you to keep track of your credit score for free. Don’t make the mistake of waiting until you’re ready to buy before checking your credit score. The earlier you understand your position, the more time you have to make improvements. 

4. Learning the mortgage basics 

When going through the homebuying process, there were a lot of mortgage terms that seemed confusing at first, but having a mortgage advisor break down these terms was extremely useful!

For starters, a mortgage is a loan from a lender that helps you buy a property. You’ll usually repay the amount borrowed, plus interest, in monthly instalments over an agreed term.

Understanding key terms such as mortgage term, interest rate, affordability and fixed rates helped me feel much more confident when making decisions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions as understanding the basics can make the whole process feel much less intimidating! 

5. Getting a mortgage in principle 

Getting a mortgage in principle helped me understand how much I could realistically afford before starting my property search. It gave me a better idea of my potential budget, allowing me to focus on homes within my price range and plan for the additional homebuying costs. 

As a first-time buyer, it also gave me confidence that I was taking the right steps towards buying a home. While it wasn’t a guarantee that I would get a mortgage, it gave me a better understanding of my options and made the process feel much more manageable. So, if you are ready to start searching for your first home, getting a mortgage in principle can help you search with confidence. But remember, it is not quite the same as receiving a final mortgage offer.

6. Choosing where to buy 

I found choosing where to buy one of the toughest parts of the process. This was because I didn’t want to move too far away from where I grew up, but I also needed to balance that with what I could realistically afford. 

When looking at locations, it’s important to consider more than just the property itself. Think about commuting costs, transport links, local amenities and the everyday costs of living there such as council tax, water and electricity. You may also need to consider additional costs such as service charge and ground rent if you are looking to buy a flat.  

7. Viewing properties properly 

During my property search, I realised just how important it was to view properties properly. So much so, that I created a checklist to help ensure I was checking important things such as the overall condition, damp, heating, boiler, and water pressure.  

I also decided to get a property surveyed, which helped provide more information about the condition of my future home before committing to the purchase. This is something you may also want to consider. Although a survey can be an additional cost, it could potentially save you £100s in the long run if potential issues are identified early on! 

8. Making an offer 

When it came to making an offer on my first home, it was both exciting and nerve-wracking. It felt like a huge milestone because it was the moment where my dream started becoming a reality. However, I learnt that offers are not always straightforward. You need to be prepared for negotiations and understand that the seller may not always accept your first offer. This is what happened in my case. But, when it comes to making an offer, remember to stay realistic and don’t feel pressured to offer more than you are comfortable paying! 

9. Dealing with solicitors, surveys and paperwork 

The less glamorous part of buying a home is the amount of paperwork involved. From conveyancing and property searches to contracts and mortgage documents, there are lots of steps to keep track of. There were definitely moments where the process felt slow, but staying organised and keeping informed helped a lot. Buying a home involves a lot of admin, so remember to stay patient, but don’t be afraid to ask for updates from all the parties involved. 

10. Moving in and the extra costs 

Finally getting the keys was definitely the highlight of the whole homebuying process, and a day I will never forget. Whilst completion day is exciting, there were still lots of practical things to arrange, including checking my home insurance arrangements and setting up energy, broadband and council tax.

Sadly, the extra costs don’t stop once you receive the keys. Luckily my flat had been recently renovated by the previous owners before I moved in, but furniture, decorating, repairs and other essential purchases can very quickly add up when it’s time to move in. Because of this, I would highly recommend building a little emergency buffer in addition to your deposit to help give peace of mind, and a chance to enjoy the whole experience a little more. 

📣 What I'd do differently: Looking back now, the whole homebuying process feels like a whirlwind, but if I were to do anything differently, it would be to get organised even earlier. Having all of my finances, paperwork and key information prepared helped make the process smoother, and I realised the more prepared you are, the less stressful buying a home can feel. 

I also learnt the importance of patience. Buying a home can take longer than expected, and there will likely be moments of uncertainty, delays and things outside of your control.

However, when progress feels slow, it’s important to be proactive, chase updates and ask questions so you feel reassured and understand what is happening at each stage. 

Becoming a homeowner has been one of my proudest achievements. I hope sharing my experience helps you feel more confident, prepared and excited for your own homebuying journey too!