How to Get House Hunting Ready in the UK — Property Buying Checklist

Before you start scrolling through Rightmove or Zoopla and booking viewings, there’s groundwork that will put you in a much stronger position. Here are ten steps to get yourself properly house hunting ready.

1. Check Your Credit Score

Your credit score plays a big role in what mortgage deals you’ll be offered. You can check yours for free using any of these services:

ClearScore — uses Equifax data
Credit Karma — uses TransUnion data
Experian — free basic score via their app

If there are any errors on your report, get them corrected through the relevant credit agency. Pay down outstanding debts where you can, register on the electoral roll, and avoid applying for new credit in the months before your mortgage application.

2. Get a Mortgage Agreement in Principle

An Agreement in Principle (AIP) tells you roughly how much a lender is willing to offer you. It’s not a guarantee, but it shows estate agents and sellers that you’re a serious buyer. Most AIPs are valid for 60–90 days and involve a soft credit check, so they won’t affect your score.

You can get one directly from a bank or through a mortgage broker. Comparison sites like MoneySuperMarket and Habito are a good starting point, or you can search for a local broker on Unbiased.

3. Save for Your Deposit

Most lenders require a minimum 5% deposit, but putting down 10–15% will unlock significantly better interest rates. Work out your target amount based on the price range you’re looking at, and set up a dedicated savings account.

If you’re a first-time buyer under 40, a Lifetime ISA (LISA) is well worth considering — the government adds a 25% bonus on savings up to £4,000 per year. That’s up to £1,000 of free money annually towards your deposit.

4. Budget for Additional Costs

The deposit isn’t the only upfront cost. You’ll also need to budget for:

Solicitor/conveyancer fees — typically £1,000–£2,000+
Survey costs — £300–£700+ depending on the type
Mortgage arrangement fees — often £500–£2,000
Removal costs — varies, but budget at least £500–£1,500
Stamp Duty Land Tax — use the HMRC Stamp Duty calculator to check what you’d owe (first-time buyers get relief on properties up to a certain threshold)

A realistic budget prevents nasty surprises later. Money Helper has a useful breakdown of the full costs involved.

5. Research Government Schemes

If you’re a first-time buyer, several government-backed schemes could help you get on the ladder:

First Homes — new-build homes sold at a discount of at least 30%
Shared Ownership — buy a share (25–75%) and pay rent on the rest
Lifetime ISA — 25% government bonus on savings towards your first home
Right to Buy — discounts for council tenants

Eligibility criteria and availability vary by region. Check Own Your Home for a full rundown of what’s available in your area.

6. Find a Solicitor or Conveyancer Early

Don’t wait until you’ve had an offer accepted to start looking for a solicitor. Get quotes, read reviews, and have someone lined up so you can move quickly when the time comes. Delays in conveyancing are one of the most common reasons property chains collapse.

You can find regulated professionals through the Law Society’s Find a Solicitor tool or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers. Ask friends and family for recommendations too — personal experience often beats online reviews.

7. Decide on Your Must-Haves vs Nice-to-Haves

Sit down and separate what you truly need from what you’d like. Think about:

Bedrooms and space — how many do you need now vs in a few years?
Location — commute time, proximity to family, urban vs suburban
Outdoor space — garden, balcony, or neither?
Parking — essential or can you manage without?
Property type — house, flat, new-build, period property?
Condition — move-in ready or a project you can renovate?

Having a clear list stops you wasting time on unsuitable properties and helps you make quicker decisions when a good one comes up.

8. Research Areas Thoroughly

Don’t just rely on a quick drive-by. There are some excellent free tools to help you dig into an area:

Police.uk — street-level crime statistics
GOV.UK Find School Performance — school ratings and catchment info (worth checking even without children — school catchments affect property values)
Environment Agency Flood Map — check long-term flood risk
Planning Portal — search for planned developments near a property
Google Maps Street View — virtual walk around the area

Visit at different times of day and on different days of the week to get a realistic feel for noise, traffic, and parking.

9. Get Your Documents in Order

Lenders and solicitors will need documentation from you quickly once things get moving. Get these ready in advance:

Proof of identity — passport or driving licence
Proof of address — utility bill or council tax statement (dated within 3 months)
Bank statements — usually the last 3 months
Payslips — last 3 months (or your SA302 tax calculation and tax year overview from HMRC if you’re self-employed)
Proof of deposit — showing where the money has come from

Having these ready to go means you won’t lose time — or worse, lose a property — while scrambling for paperwork.

10. Understand the Buying Process

The typical property purchase in England and Wales takes 12–16 weeks from offer accepted to completion. Here’s the rough order of events:

Offer accepted — you agree a price with the seller
Instruct solicitor — conveyancing begins
Mortgage application — your lender values the property
Survey — you commission your own survey
Searches — your solicitor orders local authority, environmental, and water searches
Mortgage offer — formal offer issued by your lender
Exchange of contracts — you’re now legally committed and pay your deposit
Completion — keys are handed over, the property is yours

Understanding what a property chain is and how it can affect your timeline is also important — Money Helper’s guide to property chains explains it well.

Use our Property Buying Checklist to stay organised throughout your entire buying journey — from preparation right through to getting the keys.