Are you a first-time buyer eager to step onto the property ladder in Scotland? Congratulations on taking this exciting step toward homeownership! At ESPC, we’re committed to guiding you through every stage of the home buying journey, from securing the best mortgage deals to navigating the Scottish property market with confidence. Our comprehensive guide is designed to empower you with the knowledge and resources you need to make informed decisions and find your dream home.
Get all of your questions answered and find out everything you need to know about becoming a first-time buyer with our resources hub
When buying a home in Scotland, it’s a legal requirement that you have a solicitor represent you. They’ll guide you through your first time buyer journey, and make offers and deal with selling agents on your behalf. ESPC works with hundreds of solicitor estate agents across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife, the Borders, central and West Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway, so you can find an ESPC solicitor estate agent now.
An ESPC Charter firm can offer you additional peace of mind, they are committed to delivering exceptional service beyond legal requirements. Look out for the ‘Chartered Firm’ tag when searching for an ESPC solicitor estate agent.
A mortgage in principle (sometimes called a decision in principle) is a document from a bank or building society that tells you how much they will be willing to lend you. This is an essential step in helping you work out how much of a deposit you might need and how much you can afford to spend on your first home.
Using an ESPC Mortgage specialist to help you with this step is vital. They will be able to guide you through the process, advise on any first-time buyer government schemes you may be eligible for and secure the best financing options tailored to your needs. Get in touch with ESPC Mortgages now for a free initial consultation.
Once you know how much a bank will lend you, it's time to work out your overall budget.
Other costs that are involved in buying a house include:
Your chosen solicitor estate agent and mortgage adviser can advise you on your budget in more detail, and give you up-to-date advice on the current property market.
There are hundreds of properties available on our website that are ideal for first-time buyers, and you can use our search function to filter for exactly the kind of property you want.
ESPC also lists around 80% of properties exclusively for 72 hours, so you can get ahead of other buyers and find your dream home before it’s listed anywhere else. Look out for the ‘exclusive’ tag on the property listings pages.
Don’t forget to sign up to My ESPC, to receive new property alerts, save searches and create watchlists of your favourite properties so you can keep ahead of the game.
On our website you can book an appointment to view your favourite properties directly from the property's page, making it easy for you to quickly book in viewings.
Before viewing a property, it is important to review the property’s Home Report to understand the current state of the property. Find out more about how to understand a home report. Unlike other portals, you can instantly download Home Reports on our website meaning you can access these quickly.
We've compiled a list of 10 questions all first-time buyers should ask before making an offer (and several of them are most applicable at the viewing!).
When you’ve found a property you want to buy, you can ask your solicitor estate agent to make an offer on your behalf. They'll also advise if you should bid more than the asking price. Remember that your bank will only lend up to the value shown on the Home Report.
Congratulations! You’re now well on your way to buying your first home in Scotland.
Prepare to formalise your mortgage and complete the legal conveyancing process with support from your solicitor estate agent. They will be able to guide you through the process, answer any of your questions and help you prepare the appropriate paperwork.
Once your purchase has gone through, it's time to get organised! Our handy moving house checklist provides a step-by-step guide to moving home.
We firmly believe that everyone deserves access to free, unbiased guidance when navigating the process of purchasing their first home.
You can make use of our complimentary advisory services through the following avenues:
These free resources are designed to empower you with the knowledge and support you need to make informed decisions throughout your home-buying journey.
Start your first-time buying journey now. Whether you’re ready to go or would just like to find out more, find an ESPC solicitor estate agent and get in touch with ESPC Mortgages to get started!
The initial consultation with an ESPC Mortgages adviser is free and without obligation. Thereafter, ESPC Mortgages charges for mortgage advice are usually £395 (£345 for first-time buyers). YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR OTHER LOANS SECURED AGAINST IT.
The information contained within this website is subject to the UK regulatory regime and therefore restricted to consumers based in the UK.
The Financial Ombudsman Service is available to sort out individual complaints that clients and financial services businesses aren’t able to resolve themselves. To contact the Financial Ombudsman Service, please visit www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk.
ESPC (UK) Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Lyncombe Consultants Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.