Falling mortgage rates are bringing welcome relief to first-time buyers. Monthly repayments on the average UK first-time buyer mortgage are now around £355 less than three years ago — easing financial pressure and making homeownership feel more achievable for many ready to take their first step onto the property ladder.

The Autumn Budget brought predictable housing and tax shifts, headlined by a 2028 levy on £2m+ homes that affects under 1% of properties but will shape behaviour for years. Landlords face tighter margins as taxes rise, while Attleborough’s market absorbs uncertainty. The measures add clarity rather than comfort as pressures build.

Many would-be buyers hesitate, waiting for calmer times before taking the plunge. Yet history shows that waiting often costs more than acting. While renters lose money monthly, owners build equity and stability. The market rewards time, not timing—progress starts the moment you buy.

Selling for the first time can feel overwhelming. Everyone has advice, most of it conflicting. Here are the key questions to ask every estate agent, plus the step-by-step process you’ll go through to launch your home the right way.