5 BIG mistakes First-Time Buyers Make (and how you can avoid them)

Buying your first home is exciting but it can also be overwhelming. From confusing jargon to unexpected costs, it’s easy to slip up. Here are five of the biggest mistakes first-time buyers make and how you can avoid them.

1. Not budgeting enough

The mistake: You’ve saved up for your deposit… but have you budgeted for everything else?

The reality: Buying a property involves more than just the purchase price. First-time buyers often forget about:

• Solicitor fees

• Surveyor costs

• Mortgage arrangement and valuation fees

• Removal costs

• Stamp Duty (if applicable)

  
  

How to avoid it: Create a full buying budget before you start house hunting. Speak to a mortgage broker and solicitor early to get estimates, and always keep a buffer for unexpected costs.

2. Not Checking the Title Register After Completion

The mistake: You assume once the keys are in your hand, the legal side is done.

The reality: After completion, you should always check the Land Registry Title Register to make sure the property is legally registered in your name. It’s the final confirmation of ownership — and mistakes do happen. You would be surprised how many PI claims there are because of this.

How to avoid it: Ask your solicitor to send you a copy of the updated Title Register once registration is complete. You can also check it yourself online via the Land Registry website (£3 cost).

3. Not getting a Deed of Trust made up when purchasing with a partner

The mistake: You’re buying with a partner and assume “what’s mine is yours.”

The reality: If you're contributing unequal deposits or covering different parts of the mortgage, it’s wise to protect your investment with a Deed of Trust. This legal document sets out who owns what share and what happens if you break up or sell. Take the emotional side out of this, this is a transaction and getting a Deed of Trust made up, is sensible and practical.

How to avoid it: Get legal advice and have a Deed of Trust drawn up alongside your purchase. It avoids awkward and expensive disputes later.

4. Not Understanding Property Ownership Types as a First-Time Buyer

The mistake: You see a nice flat… but don’t realise what “leasehold” really means.

The reality: The UK has different types of ownership:

• Freehold – You own the property and land outright.

• Leasehold – You own the property but not the land, and usually pay ground rent and service charges.

• Share of Freehold – You jointly own the freehold with others (often in a flat).

• Shared Ownership – You own a portion and rent the rest from a housing association.

  
  

How to avoid it: Learn what each type means and what your responsibilities will be. This affects your long-term costs and how easy it is to sell later.

5. Ignoring the Terms of the Lease

The mistake: You buy a leasehold property and just leave reading the lease up to your solicitor.

The reality: The lease sets out what you can and can’t do in your home. It may restrict things like subletting, pets, or even renovations — and it will outline:

• Remaining lease length

• Ground rent

• Service charges

• Who’s responsible for repairs

  
  

It's super important to understand the terms of your lease and how much the service charge will be each year, as well as any hidden costs.

How to avoid it: Always get your solicitor to review the lease thoroughly — and make sure you understand it too. A short lease or unreasonable terms can make your property harder to sell later.

Buying your first home should feel empowering and not overwhelming. By avoiding these

five common mistakes, you’ll be better prepared, better protected, and better informed.

Have a question about the process? Drop us a message or explore more guides on the PropBubble blog.