Free guides

Buying your first home, explained

Plain-English answers to the questions first-time buyers ask most. A new guide every week.

2 November 2026 4 min read

How long does buying a house take in England and Wales?

How long does buying a house take? Typical timescales from offer to completion in England and Wales, what slows things down and how to keep moving.

21 October 2026 5 min read

What happens after your offer is accepted? A step-by-step guide

Your offer is accepted, so what next? A step by step guide to solicitors, mortgages, surveys, searches, exchange and completion in England and Wales.

Free cost checklist

Every cost of buying your first home on one page.

Stamp duty calculator

See what you would pay, band by band.

First Key Home

The complete guide to buying your first home in England and Wales.

For professionals

First Key Home is an educational resource. The content on this site does not constitute legal advice, financial advice, or mortgage advice and should not be relied upon as such. Always seek independent legal advice from a qualified solicitor and independent financial advice from a regulated adviser before making decisions about a property purchase. First Key Home Limited is not a law firm and is not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the Financial Conduct Authority, or any other regulatory body.

© 2026 First Key Home. All rights reserved.

First Key Home Limited. Registered in England and Wales, company number 17245025. Registered office: 159 Ashley Down Road, Bristol, BS7 9JT. ICO registration ZC242904.