How to start your property search

A guide to searching for your new home

Share to Buy is the country’s leading property portal dedicated to affordable homeownership and buying schemes, with thousands of homes available nationwide. Whether you’re a first time buyer, second stepper, growing family or someone looking to downsize, Share to Buy is your space.

Our goal is to inspire, guide and empower budding buyers facing challenges in today’s housing market. That’s why we’ve put together our top tips for starting out on your property search!

Research your housing options

Private sale isn’t the only way. If you can’t afford to buy on the open market, spend some time researching the different housing schemes available to you.

On Share to Buy, we offer guides and resources to help you figure out your path to homeownership. Learn more about housing products such as Shared Ownership, Deposit Unlock, Rent to Buy and other buying schemes.

Know your priorities

Make a list of what you need and want in a home. Consider factors like:

• Location: Do you need to be close to work, schools, or public transport?
• Property type: House or flat, terraced houses or detached, new-build or resale?
• Size and layout: How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need?
• Must-haves and nice-to-haves: Decide which features are non-negotiable and where you’re willing to compromise when looking for a home.

Check your affordability

Your budget is the very foundation of your property search. It’s important to evaluate your finances ahead of time and work out what you can afford in those early stages as this will help define your property search. A few things to keep in mind:

• Evaluate your finances: Assess your savings for a deposit and consider additional costs like legal fees, Stamp Duty, and moving expenses.
• Online tools: Use free tools such as our affordability calculator to figure out how much you might be able to borrow on a mortgage.
• Check your mortgage eligibility: Speak to a mortgage broker or your bank to understand how much you can borrow.
• Factor in ongoing costs: Account for utilities, maintenance, and council tax in your calculations.

Get a pre-approved mortgage

Getting a mortgage agreement in principle (AIP) shows sellers and agents that you’re a serious buyer, and also helps you stay within your budget during negotiations. While you don’t have to use a mortgage broker when buying a home, many people do (especially first time buyers) and they can guide you through the process, find suitable mortgage products and get you that all-important agreement in principle.

Use property search tools

Property portals and housing websites will soon become your best friend. Be sure to set up alerts for new listings in your preferred area, and save properties to compare and review later.

On our property portal, you can also use filters such deposit, monthly costs, number of bedrooms and location to help narrow down your search.

Take the leap

Buying your first home is a significant milestone, and taking these steps will help you start your property search with clarity and purpose. Whether you’re currently browsing property portals or speaking with sales agents, staying organised and informed will make the process smoother – and most importantly, bring you closer to finding your new home.