As a first-time buyer, you will be juggling a mortgage, a survey and a conveyancer at the same time. The order matters: get your mortgage in principle first, then make an offer, then instruct your conveyancer, survey and full mortgage application together. Here is the timeline that keeps everything moving.
Key points
- Get a mortgage agreement in principle before you start viewing.
- Once your offer is accepted, instruct your conveyancer, apply for your mortgage and book your survey in the same week.
- Your survey should land before your conveyancer finishes searches, so you can renegotiate if needed.
- Typical timeline from offer to keys: 12 to 16 weeks.
Before you view: weeks -4 to 0
- Work out your budget. Deposit, stamp duty (first-time buyer relief applies up to set limits), legal fees, survey, moving costs and a buffer.
- Get an agreement in principle. A broker can do this quickly and check which lenders suit your situation, especially if you are self-employed, on a probation period or have a small deposit. Option Finance helps first-time buyers across the UK from Derby, with a free first consultation.
- Choose a conveyancer so you can instruct them the day your offer is accepted.
Offer accepted: week 1
This is the busiest week, and the one where delays usually start.
- Instruct your conveyancer. They will send forms and ask for ID and proof of funds.
- Submit your full mortgage application. Your broker will ask for payslips, bank statements and ID.
- Book your survey. For most first-time buyers a Level 2 Home Survey is right. Choose a Level 3 for older, extended or unusual homes. Not sure? See Level 2 vs Level 3.
Book A Surveyor finds a local RICS or RPSA surveyor with availability, agrees a fixed price and arranges access with the estate agent, so you are not ringing round while you are also dealing with the lender.
Weeks 2 to 4: valuation and survey
- Lender valuation. The lender's valuer checks the home is good security. If it comes in low, see what to do about a down valuation.
- Your survey. The surveyor inspects and sends the report, usually within a week. Read our guide to reading your survey report.
- Act on findings. Get quotes for serious issues and decide whether to renegotiate.
Weeks 3 to 8: mortgage offer and searches
- Mortgage offer. Once the valuation is back and underwriting is done, the lender issues the offer. Check the expiry date; most last around six months.
- Searches and enquiries. Your conveyancer reviews local authority, water and environmental searches and raises questions with the seller's solicitor.
- Protection. Lenders usually require buildings insurance from exchange. Many buyers also review life and income protection at this point, as the mortgage will be their biggest commitment.
Weeks 8 to 14: exchange and completion
- Sign your contract and transfer your deposit.
- Exchange contracts. You are now legally committed, with a completion date fixed.
- Completion. The lender releases the funds and you collect the keys.
Common first-time buyer delays and how to avoid them
| Delay | How to avoid it |
|---|---|
| Missing mortgage documents | Gather 3 months of payslips and bank statements before you offer |
| Survey booked late | Book it the same week your offer is accepted |
| Down valuation | Get your own valuation if you think the price is high |
| Slow seller paperwork | Ask the agent whether the seller has instructed a solicitor yet |
| Mortgage offer expiring | Keep an eye on the date if the chain is long |
Get help with the mortgage side
A broker who deals with first-time buyers every day can save you time and money, especially if your situation is not straightforward. The Option Finance team, including Davi Thakar CeMAP, Benjamin Kistell and Sukhvinder Tamber, has helped buyers from Derby and across the UK get on the ladder, with Ruby Chambers managing cases through to completion.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. This guide is general information, not mortgage advice.
Get your survey booked, not quoted
Fixed price up front. We find a local RICS or RPSA surveyor, arrange access with the agent and confirm the date.
See your priceFrequently asked questions
Should I get a mortgage in principle before viewing?
Yes. An agreement in principle shows estate agents you are a serious buyer and tells you roughly how much you can borrow. It usually takes minutes to get and does not commit you to a lender.
When should a first-time buyer book a survey?
Straight after your offer is accepted, around the time your lender instructs its valuation. That way the report arrives while your conveyancer is still doing searches, so you can renegotiate before exchange if needed.
How long does buying a house take for a first-time buyer?
Typically 12 to 16 weeks from offer accepted to completion in England, though it can be faster with no chain and a well-prepared seller.
Do first-time buyers need a survey on a new build?
It is still worth it. A snagging inspection or Level 2 survey picks up defects you can ask the developer to fix while they are still on site.
Related guides
Buying a house when you're self-employed: mortgage, survey and timing
Self-employed and buying a home? What lenders look for, how long it takes, and how to time your survey so a slower mortgage doesn't cost you the house.
Costs and processDown valuation: what to do if your mortgage valuation comes in low
Your lender valued the house below the price you agreed. Here is why down valuations happen and your five realistic options, from renegotiating to switching lender.
Costs and processHow long does a house survey take, and when do you get the report?
How long Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 surveys take on site, when the report arrives, and what can slow things down. Plan your timeline before exchange.