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Blog 9th February 2026

A First-Time Buyer’s Guide to Buying a Home in Northern Ireland

Buying your first home is one of the most exciting milestones you will experience, but it can also feel overwhelming. There are mortgage applications, property searches, legal processes, and a seemingly endless list of things to think about. The good news is that with the right guidance, the process is much more straightforward than you might expect.

At Mallon & Co Solicitors, we have helped hundreds of first-time buyers across Mid Ulster and the North Coast navigate the conveyancing process. In this guide, we walk you through the key steps involved in buying your first home in Northern Ireland.

Step 1: Get Your Finances in Order

Before you start viewing properties, it is important to understand how much you can afford. Speak to a mortgage adviser or your bank to get a mortgage agreement in principle. This gives you a clear budget and shows sellers and estate agents that you are a serious buyer. Remember to factor in additional costs beyond the purchase price, including solicitor’s fees, stamp duty, survey costs, and removal expenses.

Step 2: Find Your Property and Make an Offer

Once you have found a property you love, you make an offer through the estate agent. In Northern Ireland, an accepted offer is not legally binding until contracts are exchanged, so it is important to move quickly once your offer is accepted. At this point, you should instruct a conveyancing solicitor to act on your behalf.

Step 3: Instruct a Conveyancing Solicitor

Your solicitor is your legal representative throughout the purchase. At Mallon & Co, we will provide you with a detailed written fee quotation, carry out title searches and property checks, review the contract prepared by the seller’s solicitor, liaise with your mortgage lender and estate agent, and keep you informed at every stage. As members of the Law Society of Northern Ireland’s Home Charter Scheme, we are committed to providing a high standard of service throughout.

Step 4: Property Searches and Surveys

Your solicitor will carry out a number of legal searches to ensure there are no hidden issues with the property. These include obtaining property certificates from the local council and the Regional Property Certificate Unit, checking the title to the property (whether it is registered or unregistered land), and carrying out any other searches relevant to the location. Your mortgage lender will also arrange a valuation survey. You may wish to commission your own more detailed survey to check for structural issues.

Step 5: Exchange Contracts and Completion

Once all searches are satisfactory, your mortgage offer is in place, and both sides are happy with the contract terms, you will sign the contract and pay your deposit. A completion date is agreed, and on that day, the balance of the purchase price is transferred, and you receive the keys to your new home. Your solicitor will then register your ownership with the Land Registry.

Understanding Stamp Duty as a First-Time Buyer

In Northern Ireland, first-time buyers benefit from stamp duty relief. As of April 2025, you pay no stamp duty on the first £300,000 of your property’s purchase price, provided the property costs £500,000 or less. On the portion between £300,001 and £500,000, you pay 5%. If your property costs more than £500,000, the first-time buyer relief does not apply and standard rates kick in.

How Long Does the Process Take?

Buying a home in Northern Ireland typically takes between 8 and 12 weeks from the point your offer is accepted. The timescale depends on factors such as how quickly your mortgage offer is issued, the speed of property searches, whether there is a chain, and how responsive the other parties are. At Mallon & Co, we work proactively to keep things moving and avoid unnecessary delays.

Tips for First-Time Buyers

•        Get your mortgage agreed in principle before you start house-hunting.

•        Instruct your solicitor as soon as your offer is accepted — don’t wait.

•        Budget for all costs, not just the purchase price.

•        Ask your solicitor questions — no question is too small.

•        Consider making a will at the same time as buying your first property.

How Mallon & Co Can Help

Our residential conveyancing team in Maghera and Coleraine has decades of experience helping first-time buyers. We offer clear, competitive pricing, regular updates, and a personal service that puts you at ease. Contact us today on 028 796 42670 (Maghera) or 028 7034 3483 (Coleraine) to discuss your purchase.