Pete, all depends if your getting a 100% mortgage or not. If yes then this will limit you to certain lenders but if you have a deposit it will open the door to more lenders, 10% is a good start for a deposit. Charges to bear in mind Stamp duty: 1% 60,000 to 249,000 3% 250,000 to 399,000 4% 400,000+ Land Registry Fee 220 per property (came in last year) Surveyor Fees 250 approx Solictors cost depends on type of property freehold cheaper, leasehold more expensive 1000 approx I'd wait until next year as market confidence isan't great but where abouts are you in the uk?