Saving your deposit is a huge milestone, but it’s not the only cost involved in buying a home. From solicitor fees to surveys and insurance, understanding the full picture helps you budget properly and avoid unexpected expenses.

Buying your first home in Washington or Sunderland? Avoid the most common (and costly) mistakes first-time buyers make - from misunderstanding deposits to applying with the wrong lender. Here’s how to get it right from the start.

It’s not all bad for sellers, though. Despite high supply, sales are being agreed at the quickest rate in four years, with Rightmove suggesting that ‘spoiled-for-choice buyers are still being tempted by the right property at the right price’.

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial steps you’ll ever take — and if you’re looking for a property in Sunderland, you’ll want to make sure you get the right mortgage deal. With house prices in the North East remaining competitive, now is a great time to buy — but knowing how the process works can save you both time and money.

It all begins with an idea.