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First time buyer - before you buy
Buying your first home? Learn about some of the costs you can expect to pay from mortgage fees to survey costs.
Before you decide to buy a property, you must work out how much you can afford.
First time house buyers often don’t realise that there are so many extra costs when calculating their overall budget. Costs can quickly add up, so it’s best to find out what’s involved before you start house-hunting. But most importantly, can you afford the mortgage?
Try our mortgage affordability calculator to
see how much you can borrow.
The costs and fees you'll need to factor in when arranging a mortgage and buying a home
Having found the property you want to buy and had your offer accepted, there’s
an array of costs and fees you can expect to pay:
Types of survey
- Home Condition Report:
This is the lowest level survey. It is suitable for conventional properties and newer homes where no major defects are likely. It shows the general condition of the property, offers guidance to legal advisers, and highlights any urgent defects.
- HomeBuyer Report:
This is based on the Home Condition Report, but includes a market valuation and a calculation of rebuilding costs for insurance purposes. It will notify you of defects that may affect the value of the property and give advice on repairs and ongoing maintenance.
This type of report will be suitable for most homebuyers wanting more than the Home Condition Report.
- Building Survey:
This type of survey is the most comprehensive report you can have and is essential for larger or older properties, or if you are planning major works. It will tell you about the property’s condition and includes advice on defects, repairs and maintenance options.
There’s more information on types of survey and how to find a surveyor on the website of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
The Deposit
Having decided to go ahead with the purchase of a property, your largest expenditure will be the initial deposit, which is a one-off payment, and the mortgage, which is paid off over several years.The deposit is the money that you put down yourself. Some people get help from parents, and at the Family Building Society we have introduced a number of products, such as the Family Mortgage, to help you get on the mortgage ladder. With the Family Mortgage you will need at least 5% deposit. This means that, if you want to buy a home costing £200,000 you need to have saved or been gifted at least £10,000. You can find out more about our first time and family assisted mortgages here.
Family assisted mortgages
Need help getting onto the property ladder? See our family assisted mortgage deals designed for those customers needing family help to buy their first home.
Getting a mortgage - what you need to know
Our comprehensive guide highlights everything you need to know about getting a mortgage, including useful tips for first time through to last time buyers.