Buying a home

If you are a council house or housing association tenant, you might be able to buy your home for less than its market rate. Here’s some information on the Right to Buy scheme ...

“Should I rent or should I buy?” is something a lot of people ask themselves. Buying a house or a flat is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make, so it’s important to get it right....

Help to Buy is a government scheme which can help first time home buyers get a property with just a 5% deposit. Use this guide to learn how Help to Buy schemes work, how to qualify and the di...

NewBuy lets you buy a new-build home with a deposit of only 5% of the purchase price. Find out more about the government scheme and if you’re eligible to apply. Are you able...

Help to Buy ISAs are a new type of ISA designed to help first-time buyers save up a deposit for their home. The government will add 25% to your savings, up to a maximum of £3,000 on savings of £12,0...

Council Tax is an annual fee you pay to your local council. The cost is set by your council and goes towards funding local services. Find out more about Council Tax and how to ma...

To get a good mortgage deal with low interest rates, you often need a dauntingly big deposit. Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make saving for a house or flat manageable and turn your home-buyi...

Wondering how much it costs to buy a house or a flat? There are a number of fees to consider when buying a new house, including the cost of moving home, your deposit and solicitor fees. This g...

If your mortgage application gets declined, there are a number of things you can do to improve your chances of getting approved next time. Don’t rush off to another lender as each application could...

With so many things to arrange, it’s easy to overlook the actual costs of making the house move itself. Planning ahead can help to reduce an already stressful day. Here’s our quick checklist of to...

Shared ownership schemes are a cross between buying and renting; aimed mainly at first-time buyers. You own a share and then rent the part you don’t own at a reduced rate. Read on to find out h...

Wondering what the difference is between a leasehold and a freehold? This guide breaks down the ways you can own a property: freehold, leasehold, or leasehold with a share of the freehold. It a...

If you’re a first-time buyer wondering what you need to buy a house or flat, you’ve come to the right place. This guide takes you through the process of buying your first home, including saving yo...

Until the exchange of contracts, both the buyer and seller of the home can pull out of the deal without incurring serious costs. This guide examines the process, including how l...

If you’re buying a home in England or Northern Ireland costing more than £125,000, you’ll have to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on your purchase. Use this guide to find o...

Read our guide to Scotland’s home buying schemes including Help to Buy and Shared Ownership, and see if you can buy your own home using one of the schemes. Help to Buy...

Before applying for a mortgage, you need to think about more than just whether you can afford the monthly repayments. Mortgage providers will look at your income and outgoings to see if you can keep u...

Thinking about buying a house or a flat in Scotland? This guide will take you through the different steps you will need to take, including getting a mortgage, speaking to a solicitor and com...

Want to know more about the government’s Help to Buy scheme and how it might affect you? We answer some of the most frequently asked questions. ...

Need to sell your house fast? You might be tempted to use a ‘quick sale’ company. They offer to buy your house very quickly at a discounted price. However, there are concerns homeowners could be m...

It’s worth knowing what to look out for – and what mistakes to avoid – when buying a home. Read our guide to find out what property lenders don’...

A solicitor or conveyancer will handle all the legal aspects of buying or selling a property for you. A good one will keep you updated regularly, and can really support you in what is likely to be a...

Homebuyer surveys are a good way to avoid unexpected repair costs further down the line. Getting a survey for a house or flat will give you an idea of just how much you might need to invest in a prop...

Thinking about getting a mortgage? This guide will help you understand the mortgage application process, the different borrowing options available and why you should speak to an adviser. ...

Help to Buy ISAs are a tempting proposition for first-time buyers, but how do they work? We’ve pulled together some of the most common questions, including who can get one and how much you can save....

Several government schemes can help you buy a home. These include Help to Buy, Right to Buy and Shared Ownership. Read this article to find out more about them and how to apply. ...

Wondering how long it takes to buy or sell a house through an estate agent? Not sure what questions to ask when viewing a property? This guide explains what estate agents do, what fees they...

Buying a home is a huge financial commitment and can be daunting – especially if you’re a first-time buyer. Use our timeline to find out more about the steps to buying a hom...

If you’re buying a home in Scotland costing more than £145,000, you’ll have to pay Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) on your purchase. Use this guide to find out ...

If you’re buying a home in Wales costing more than £180,000, you’ll have to pay Land Transaction Tax (LTT) on your purchase. Use this guide to find out about how LTT works, how much yo...

You might think once Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a one-off payment when you buy a home and it will never have to be paid on that property again. But if...

Our free printed guides are designed to help not for profit and public sector organisations, as well as commercial organisations, helping people to make informed money choices. If you’re an i...