A Quick Guide: Steps to Buying Your First Home in the UK

Buying your first home is a huge milestone, exciting, emotional, and sometimes a little overwhelming. Between rising house prices, confusing mortgage deals, and endless viewings, it’s easy to feel lost in the process.

That’s why drifthome was designed, to make buying a house smarter, simpler, and stress-free.

If you’ve ever wondered how to buy your first home or felt unsure about where to start, this guide is for you. Below, we’ll walk through the steps to buying your first home in the UK, from budgeting to getting your keys on completion day, with drifthome guiding you every step of the way.

Start with a Smart Budget

Before diving into listings, it’s a good idea to get clear on your budget. drifthome helps you filter homes by price, location, and transport links, so you can instantly see what’s possible for your budget.

Most first-time buyers need a 5-20% deposit of the property price, plus extra costs like legal fees, moving expenses, and service charges (if you’re buying a flat).

Use mortgage calculators to estimate your monthly mortgage payments, then let drifthome’s tailored listings show you what’s realistic within your price range.

Getting your finances right from the start keeps your journey smoother, and your expectations grounded.

Get a Decision in Principle (DIP)

Once you’ve set your budget, the next move is to get a Decision in Principle (DIP), an early estimate from a lender showing how much they’re willing to lend you.

Having a DIP helps you stand out with estate agents and sellers, as it proves you’re a serious buyer.

If you’re not sure where to begin, drifthome connects you with trusted mortgage brokers who can help you understand interest rates, compare mortgage deals, and find the right type of mortgage for your financial situation.

When your DIP is ready, open the drifthome app and start browsing with confidence, every home you swipe right on will be within your actual range.

Meet drifthome: Your Smart Home-Buying Companion

Finding a home shouldn’t feel like a second job. That’s the idea behind drifthome, the UK’s innovative, AI-powered property app built to make searching and buying a house effortless, especially for first-time buyers.

Here’s what makes it different:

• Swipe to find homes you love – Instead of scrolling endlessly, you simply swipe through listings, and drifthome learns your style, budget, and must-haves.
• Connect directly with estate agents – No more chasing emails or waiting for replies. You can chat with verified agents straight through the app.
• Smart, personalised results – The more you use drifthome, the better it understands your preferences – showing homes that truly fit your lifestyle.
• Simplified decision-making – Compare areas, filter by commute times or budget, and get a rough idea of your cost of living before you even view a property.

Whether you’re saving for a deposit, exploring mortgage deals, or ready to make an offer, drifthome puts everything you need in one place, so you can focus on the exciting part: finding your future home.

Find the Property You Want to Buy

Now comes the fun part, discovering homes that match your goals, lifestyle, and vibe.

drifthome’s personalised search makes buying your first home easier than ever. As you swipe, the app learns your taste  whether you prefer open-plan flats near transport or quiet houses with green spaces nearby.

Instead of sorting through endless pages on traditional property websites, drifthome brings the right homes to you, with instant agent connections and no wasted time.

When a property catches your eye, message the estate agent directly inside the app to book a viewing or ask questions. It’s simple, fast, and frustration-free.

And when you’re ready to visit in person, keep these quick property viewing tips in mind:

• Visit at different times of day – morning, evening, and weekend vibes can be totally different.
• Check the surroundings – look at parking, noise levels, lighting, and general upkeep of the street or building.
• Test the basics – open windows, flush toilets, and check water pressure.
• Ask about running costs – get details on service charges, council tax bands, and energy efficiency.
• Take photos or notes – especially if you’re viewing several properties in one day.

drifthome helps you stay organised too. You can save your favourite listings, jot down notes after each viewing, and compare options later with a clear head.

Make an Offer on a Property

Once you’ve found “the one,” it’s time to make an offer on a property.

Your estate agent will help you decide on the right offer amount based on local prices and property demand. Being a first-time buyer gives you an advantage, no chain, less delay, and a reputation for being serious about your purchase.

When your offer is accepted, celebrate, but stay ready. Now, it’s time to turn that DIP into a full mortgage application.

Secure Your Mortgage

The full mortgage application is where your lender reviews your finances, income, and documents to confirm your loan.

With drifthome, you can connect with mortgage brokers who’ll guide you through comparing mortgage deals, understanding interest rates, and picking the right type of mortgage for your lifestyle, fixed, variable, or tracker.

A fixed-rate mortgage gives you predictable monthly mortgage payments, while variable options change with market interest rates. Choose one that feels right for your long-term comfort.

Once your mortgage is approved, your dream home is officially within reach.

Instruct a Solicitor or Conveyancer

This is where the legal work begins. You’ll need a solicitor or conveyancer to handle the contracts, payments, and legal checks involved in buying a property.

If you don’t have one yet, drifthome can help connect you with trusted professionals.

Your solicitor will:

• Review and explain the contract
• Check property searches
• Handle deposit transfers
• Clarify any service charges or building rules

Their goal? To make sure your purchase is 100% secure before you sign on the dotted line.

Exchange Contracts and Set a Completion Date

Here’s where everything becomes official, the exchange of contracts. Once both sides have signed, you’ll pay your deposit (usually 5-10%) and agree on a completion date, your moving day.

drifthome keeps you in the loop by helping you track your progress and key dates. From offers accepted to keys-in-hand, you’ll always know where you are in the process.

Completion Day: Welcome Home

On completion day, the remaining balance is transferred, and your solicitor confirms the sale. The moment that happens, you can collect your keys from your estate agent, and step into your very first home.

drifthome celebrates with you, helping you discover your new neighbourhood, and find the best places around your new community.

You’ve officially done it, from searching and swiping to signing contracts and walking through your new front door. Now the exciting part begins: it’s time to make your space your own and truly build a home.

Think Long-Term

Owning a home is a long-term investment, not just a moment of excitement. Keep an eye on interest rates, review your mortgage deals regularly, and plan for ongoing maintenance and upgrades.

With drifthome, you can continue exploring your next steps, from upsizing to refinancing, all within the same app. It’s designed to grow with you, wherever life takes you next.

Every choice you make now helps you build a home and a stable financial future.

drifthome Makes It Simple

From your first swipe to your first set of keys, drifthome is built to make first-time buying easy, every step of the way.

You don’t need multiple tabs, spreadsheets, or endless calls, just one intuitive app that learns what you love, connects you with agents, and keeps your home-buying journey stress-free.

If you’re ready to turn “someday” into “moving day,” start your home-buying journey with drifthome today. Your first home, and your future, could be just one swipe away.

Frequently Asked Questions