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Buying Budget

First-Time Buyer Costs Calculator

Estimate only

Buying costs are the part first-time buyers most often underestimate. Start with the typical figures below, then replace any of them with your own quotes — every line is editable, and nothing here is a quotation.

Property tax differs across the UK.

First-time buyer?
Editable cost assumptions

Estimated total cash needed

£32,999

£27,500 deposit plus £5,499 of upfront costs.

Upfront costs (excluding deposit)

£5,499

Stamp Duty Land Tax

£0

Mortgage required

£247,500

Deposit percentage

10.0%

Loan-to-value

90.0%

Cost breakdown

  • Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)England rates, reviewed 2026-08-21£0
  • Conveyancing / legal fees£1,500
  • Searches & Land Registry£400
  • Mortgage arrangement fee£999
  • Mortgage valuation£300
  • Survey£500
  • Mortgage broker fee£0
  • Removals & moving£800
  • Initial furnishing & essentials£1,000

Things to be aware of

  • Every figure here is an editable assumption for budgeting, not a quotation. Obtain your own quotes before committing.

Estimate only

These figures are budgeting estimates, not fixed quotations. Costs vary by property, solicitor, lender and location.

How this calculation works

Property tax is calculated for the jurisdiction you select using the same banded engine as our stamp duty calculator, taking first-time buyer relief into account where it applies. Every other line is a default assumption that you can change, and the total is simply their sum plus your deposit.

upfront costs = property tax + legal + searches + arrangement + valuation + survey + broker + removals + furnishing
total cash needed = deposit + upfront costs
LTV = (price − deposit) ÷ price

Assumptions

  • Indicative UK-wide typical ranges gathered from published consumer guidance. These are budgeting assumptions, not quotations — always obtain your own quotes.
  • England SDLT rates are applied.
  • A single residential purchase with a mortgage.

Limitations

  • Ground rent, service charges, insurance and ongoing running costs are not included.
  • Chain-related, leasehold and new-build costs can add significantly.
  • Quotes vary widely; treat every default as a starting point only.

Sources

Last reviewed: 21 August 2026 · Calculation version 1.0.0

Next in your journey

Loan-to-Value (LTV) Calculator

See your loan-to-value, your equity, and how much more deposit would move you into the next LTV band.

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