You're about to embark on one of life's most exciting journeys – buying your first home! Our expert guidance covers everything from mortgages and house hunting to furnishing and moving day, helping you navigate each step with confidence. A First Home is here to help.
Local Authority: Council Tax and Electoral Registers
Register for council tax and the Electoral Register when you move house to stay on the right side of the law and keep your voting rights.
Introducing Yourself to Your New Neighbours
Simple ways to make a good first impression with your neighbours and build a friendly relationship from the start.
Dealing with Bad Service in the Utilities Sector
Keep track of your utility bills and metre readings to spot problems early, and check your tariffs match what you agreed to.
Budgeting for Your New Appliances
Set aside money weekly for household appliances instead of relying on loans or credit cards when you move into a new home.
Questionnaire: How Far to Stretch Financially on Your Home
Figure out how much you can realistically borrow for a home based on your current debt and financial situation.
Questionnaire: Are You Ready for Your First Home?
Check if you're truly ready to buy your first home by assessing your finances, job stability, and lifestyle changes.
The Cost of Buying a First Home
See how much you'll actually need to save as a first-time buyer and what upfront costs to expect.
Should I Rent or Buy My First Home?
Work out whether renting or buying suits your income, job security and lifestyle with this straightforward decision guide.
Tips for a Quick House Move
Get your house move done faster with practical tips like bringing in help, blocking out time to view properties, and staying on top of paperwork.
How We Renovated Our First Home: A Case Study
Sarah and Lee bought a rundown Victorian flat for £90,000 and renovated it themselves to create their first home.
I Chose to Rent Instead of Buy: A Case Study
One woman chose renting over buying and found it made better financial sense than stretching for a mortgage deposit.
My Friends Shared My First Home: A Case Study
How one first-time buyer cut mortgage costs by renting a room to a friend.
The Costs Involved in Moving to a First Home
First-time buyers now need deposits of around 18% and face mounting legal costs, with over a third needing financial help from family.