Buyer Guides

Everything you need to know about buying a home in the UK

Practical, regularly-updated guides for first-time buyers, second-time movers and investors. Covering stamp duty, shared ownership, mortgage routes, snagging, comparing UK housebuilders and choosing the right location.

Stamp duty calculator → Mortgage calculator →

All buyer guides

Guides 15 min read

Top House Builders in the UK

Compare the UK house builders people search for most, including Barratt, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey, Bellway, Redrow, CALA and Berkeley.

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Finance 7 min read

Help to Buy ISA

Check the Help to Buy ISA bonus rules, final claim deadline, property price limits and alternatives for first-time buyers.

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Living 8 min read

Safest Places to Live in the UK

Explore safer UK towns, cities and districts, plus the checks buyers and renters should make before choosing an area.

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Living 7 min read

Apartments with Pools and Gyms in the UK

Find out which apartment amenities matter most, from resident gyms and pools to concierge, coworking and rooftop spaces.

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Finance 8 min read

Help to Buy Scheme

Help to Buy equity loans have closed, but first-time buyers still have routes into new homes through LISAs, shared ownership and other schemes.

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Finance 10 min read

Shared Ownership New Build Guide

Buy 10-75% of a new build with a 5% deposit on the share, then pay subsidised rent on the rest. Eligibility, deposit, rent and staircasing explained.

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Finance 8 min read

Stamp Duty on New Build Homes 2026

After the April 2025 changes, first-time buyers pay no stamp duty up to £300,000 with relief up to £500,000. Movers pay nothing on the first £125,000.

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Guides 12 min read