How to Avoid Losing Money When a House Purchase Falls Through in England
30-35% of agreed sales in England never complete. Here's how to manage sunk costs, gazumping risk, and when to spend — and when to wait.
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All articles about England First-Time Buyer Guide.
Alternatives to Hiring a Property Solicitor to Explain the Buying Process in England
Paying a solicitor £1,500+ for explanations you could get elsewhere is expensive. Here are the real alternatives — and what each one actually delivers.
Best Guide for Buying a Leasehold Flat as a First-Time Buyer in England
Leasehold is the #1 gap in free first-time buyer resources. Ground rent clauses, EWS1 traps, and ex-council risks can make a flat unmortgageable. Here's what to check.
Best First-Time Buyer Guide for Single Buyers in England (2026)
Single buyers on median salary face the hardest affordability gap in England. Here's what actually helps — and what generic guides miss entirely.
England First-Time Buyer Guide vs MoneySavingExpert: Which Is Actually Better?
MSE's free guide is excellent for mortgages. But it doesn't cover leasehold risk, SDLT cliff edges, or exchange strategy. Here's the honest comparison.
How Much Can I Borrow as a First-Time Buyer in England?
How mortgage affordability works in England: income multiples, stress testing, LTV tiers, 95% mortgages, and how to get the best rates as a first-time buyer.
How to Buy a House in England: A Step-by-Step Guide for First-Time Buyers
The complete step-by-step process for buying your first home in England — from saving your deposit to picking up the keys — with timelines and costs for 2026.
How Long Does Mortgage Approval Take in England?
From Agreement in Principle to formal mortgage offer: realistic timelines, what causes delays, and how to speed up the process as a first-time buyer in England.
What Is a Leasehold Property? A First-Time Buyer's Guide to England
Leasehold explained for English first-time buyers: ground rent risks, service charges, the 80-year rule, and 2024 reform changes that affect your purchase.
Lifetime ISA for First-Time Buyers: How It Works, the Withdrawal Penalty, and the Property Price Limit
Complete guide to the Lifetime ISA for English first-time buyers: the 25% bonus, the £450,000 property cap, withdrawal penalty mechanics, and how it compares to the old Help to Buy ISA.
Exchange of Contracts vs Completion: What First-Time Buyers Need to Know
The difference between exchange and completion in England explained: what the deposit covers, how long between the two dates, and why exchange is the critical moment.
Right to Buy in England 2026: Eligibility, Discounts, and the New Rules
How Right to Buy works in England in 2026: the 10-year tenancy requirement, the reduced discount caps, exemptions for new social housing, and how to apply.
Level 2 Homebuyer Survey vs Level 3 Building Survey: Which Do You Need?
RICS Level 2 vs Level 3 survey explained: what each covers, what they cost in 2026, and how to decide which survey is right for your property in England.
Home Buyers Protection Insurance England: What It Covers and When You Need It
How home buyers protection insurance works in England: what it covers, what it costs, when to buy it, and whether it's worth it given England's pre-exchange collapse rate.
Hidden Costs of Buying a House in England: The Full Breakdown
Beyond the deposit: the complete list of upfront costs when buying a home in England — legal fees, surveys, EPC, valuation fees, and what first-time buyers often miss.
First Homes Scheme England: Eligibility, How to Apply, and What the Discount Really Means
The First Homes scheme explained for English first-time buyers: the 30–50% discount, income caps, price caps, the perpetual covenant, and how to find and apply for a First Home.
What Is Gazumping — and How Do You Stop It Happening to You in England?
Gazumping explained: why it's legal in England, how often it happens, what gazumping insurance actually covers, and the practical steps to protect yourself.
What Is Conveyancing? A Plain-English Guide for First-Time Buyers
What conveyancing actually involves, what searches your solicitor orders, how to choose a conveyancer, and what it costs — explained for English first-time buyers.
Shared Ownership England: How It Works, Pros, Cons, and Whether It's Worth It
The honest guide to Shared Ownership in England: how staircasing works, what service charges really cost, pros vs cons, and the real challenges of selling.