Frequently asked questions
Common questions UK homebuyers ask
The things we wondered when we were buying - and the clear, jargon-free answers we wished we'd found sooner.
General information only
These answers reflect the process in England & Wales as of April 2026. Property law, tax thresholds and government schemes change regularly - always verify with your solicitor, mortgage broker, or gov.uk before making decisions.
Before You Start
Making an Offer
Conveyancing & Legal
Surveys & Mortgage
Costs & Fees
Moving Day
Still stuck?
Not seen your question here? The Jargon Buster explains over 80 property terms in plain English, or read our Blog for longer guides on viewings, surveys and the legal process.
How this site works
We think it's important you understand what Home Ready is - and isn't. We're a free, independent educational toolkit for people buying and owning a home in the UK. We aim to explain the process clearly and give useful tools and estimates, but we can't guarantee to be perfect - so you use the information at your own risk, and we can't accept liability if things go wrong.
- The content on this site is for general education only. It is not legal, financial, mortgage or other professional advice, and we are not authorised by the FCA. Always get advice tailored to your circumstances from a qualified, regulated professional before acting.
- Our calculators and figures are illustrative estimates - rates, costs and reliefs change and vary by provider, so always confirm the specifics yourself.
- We sometimes link to other websites (such as the FCA Register); we can't be responsible for their content.
- Home Ready is free to use and we do not sell your data. We don't currently earn anything from the site - no advertising, no referral fees - and if that ever changes, we'll say so clearly here.
- Information can go out of date - we aim for accuracy when we publish, but can't guarantee it.