The first-time buyer’s checklist

Buying your first home is a series of manageable steps, not one giant leap. Start by working out what you can borrow and what you can comfortably repay — a mortgage in principle gives you a realistic budget.

Set up a saved search on Bybricks for your area and price range so new homes come to you. Save the ones you like, and don’t be shy about messaging sellers with questions — that’s what the platform is for.

When you find the one, view it more than once, at different times of day. Check the material information: tenure, EPC, council tax band. Then it’s offer, survey, conveyancing, and completion — each with its own rhythm.