A first-time buyer's guide to buying your first home in Kent

Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, and Kent continues to be a popular choice for first-time buyers thanks to its coastal towns, historic cities, villages and strong transport links to London. Here, Elliot Aish, a partner and solicitor in the residential property team at Boys & Maughan, shares his guidance for anyone buying their first property in the county.

“Buying your first home is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming if you have never been through the process before,” says Elliot. “Knowing what is coming next and having the right advice in place makes a real difference.”

Whether you are buying in Canterbury, Thanet, Dover or elsewhere in Kent, understanding the buying process and local considerations can help you move forward with confidence.

Before you start viewing properties, it is important to understand your budget. This means looking beyond the purchase price to include your deposit, mortgage repayments, legal fees, survey costs and moving expenses. Many first-time buyers benefit from Stamp Duty Land Tax relief, which can reduce upfront costs when buying a property in Kent. “It is always worth speaking to a mortgage adviser early on,” Elliot explains. “Having an agreement in principle in place can make things much smoother once you find a property you like.”

Once you find a property you would like to buy, your offer is submitted through the estate agent. In parts of Kent where demand is high, particularly coastal areas and towns with good rail connections, properties can move quickly. “If your offer is accepted, it helps to get your solicitor instructed straight away so there is no unnecessary delay,” says Elliot.

The conveyancing process involves a series of legal checks designed to protect you as a buyer. Your lawyer will review the contract, investigate the legal title and carry out searches. Local authority searches are particularly important in Kent, as they can reveal conservation area restrictions, planning matters, road schemes or environmental issues such as flood risk. “Some of these issues are not obvious when you first view a property, which is why the legal checks are so important,” Elliot says.

At Boys & Maughan, first-time buyers are supported by specialist residential property lawyers with in-depth knowledge of the Kent property market. “Our job is to flag any potential issues early on and explain things clearly, without jargon, so clients always know where they stand,” Elliot adds.

Surveys are another important step for first-time buyers. Kent has a wide range of property types, including period homes and older coastal properties. A building survey can highlight issues such as damp, roof condition or structural concerns. “A survey can give peace of mind, or highlight points that need to be considered before you commit to the purchase,” Elliot explains.

When all legal enquiries have been resolved and your mortgage offer is in place, contracts are exchanged. At this stage the purchase becomes legally binding and a completion date is agreed. Completion follows shortly afterwards, when ownership transfers and you collect the keys to your first home.

If you are considering buying your first home in Kent, our residential property team is on hand to guide you through every stage of the process. You can find full details of our specialist residential property lawyers by visiting our residential property team page.