First Home, First Steps: A Practical Guide to Buying with Confidence

Mortgage, property and legal advice in one evening

Thinking about buying your first home? Join three local experts for a free, practical evening designed to help you understand the home-buying process – from working out what you could afford to getting the keys.

Wednesday 14th October

Arrive from 6.30pm | Presentations start at 7.00pm

RH & RW Clutton

92 High Street

East Grinstead

West Sussex, H19 3DF

Free to attend | Refreshments and nibbles provided

Places are limited

Buying your first home can feel complicated

You may have spent months – or years – saving a deposit. Perhaps you have started looking at properties, or maybe you are still wondering whether buying a home is realistically within reach.

Then come all the questions.

How much could you borrow? How much deposit do you really need? When should you get an Agreement in Principle? What should you look for at a viewing? How do you make an offer? And what actually happens once that offer is accepted?

First Home, First Steps brings the mortgage, property and legal sides of buying a home together in one evening.

Mortgage & Protection Adviser Steve Ody of Citrus Financial, property expert Sam Benson of RH & RW Clutton and solicitor Elizabeth Philp of Setfords Solicitors will each explain their part of the process, share practical tips and answer your questions.

There will be three short presentations of around 15 minutes each, followed by a joint Q&A. You are also very welcome to stay afterwards for refreshments and an informal chat with any of the speakers.

Who is the evening for?

This event is designed for anyone thinking about buying their first home, including:

First-time buyers who are ready to start looking.
Those saving for a deposit and wondering how far away they might be.
Renters who would like to understand whether buying could be possible.
Buyers who have started viewing properties but are unsure what happens next.
Parents and other family members helping someone onto the property ladder.
Anyone who simply wants a clearer understanding of how buying a home works.

You do not need to be ready to buy immediately.

If you are still trying to work out what you need to do to become ready, the evening should give you a much clearer starting point.

Three experts. Three parts of the home-buying journey.

The mortgage: getting yourself ready to buy

Before you begin seriously searching for a property, it can help to understand what might be achievable financially.

Steve will share some practical mortgage do’s and don’ts for first-time buyers, including:

How to prepare financially before you start looking.
How much deposit you might need.
What an Agreement in Principle is and why it can be useful.
Some of the factors that can affect your mortgage options.
Why your credit commitments and financial decisions matter.
The other costs you need to allow for when buying and owning a home.
Why speaking to a mortgage adviser early can help you understand what may be realistic.

The aim is to help you establish a realistic budget before you fall in love with a property.

Finding a home: viewing, offering and getting accepted

Once you understand your budget, the property search begins.

Sam will share an estate agent’s perspective on finding and securing your first home, including:

How to approach your property search.
What to look out for when viewing.
Useful questions to ask the estate agent.
Common mistakes first-time buyers can avoid.
What happens when you make an offer.
What can help you become a well-prepared buyer.
What happens after an offer is accepted.

The legal process: from offer accepted to completion

For many first-time buyers, conveyancing is the least familiar part of the process.

Elizabeth will explain what your solicitor does and guide you through the key stages in plain English, including:

When to appoint a solicitor.
What happens after your offer is accepted.
Searches and enquiries.
Contracts and legal checks.
Exchange of contracts.
Completion.
Some of the common causes of delays and what buyers can do to help keep things moving.

Ask the questions that matter to you

After the presentations, Steve, Sam and Elizabeth will come together for an open Q&A.

It is your chance to ask about any part of buying your first home – whether it is about mortgages, choosing a property, making an offer or understanding the legal process.

And if you would rather ask something privately, stay afterwards for a drink and a bite to eat and have an informal conversation with any of our speakers.

Meet your speakers

Steve helps first-time buyers understand their mortgage options and what they may realistically be able to afford.

From establishing a budget and explaining deposits and lender affordability to arranging an Agreement in Principle and guiding buyers through their mortgage application, Steve is known for his friendly, practical approach and his ability to make the mortgage process feel clear and manageable.

Steve also has strong ties to East Grinstead, having served as Town Mayor and supported a number of local community organisations and initiatives.

Sam has extensive experience of the local property market and is based at RH & RW Clutton’s East Grinstead office.

She has worked in the area for many years and brings a strong understanding of the local market, helping buyers understand how to approach their property search, what to look for when viewing and how the offer process works.

Elizabeth is an experienced property solicitor based in East Grinstead, specialising in residential and commercial conveyancing across Kent and Sussex.

With more than 16 years’ experience, she has helped many local buyers and sellers navigate the legal side of moving home. Her practical, proactive approach helps make the conveyancing process easier to understand and manage.

Event details

Wednesday 14 October 2026

Arrival: 6.30pm
Presentations: 7.00pm
Three presentations: approximately 15 minutes each
Followed by: Q&A, refreshments and an opportunity to chat to the speakers

Venue

RH & RW Clutton
92 High Street
East Grinstead
West Sussex
RH19 3DF

The event is free to attend and refreshments and nibbles will be provided.

We are deliberately keeping the evening small and informal, with places limited to around 25 people, so there is plenty of opportunity to ask questions.

Reserve your free place

Whether you are actively searching for your first home or simply wondering whether buying might be possible, you are very welcome to join us.

Complete the short form below to reserve your place.

Reserve your place now

About Citrus Financial

Founded in Sevenoaks by David Braithwaite, Citrus Financial has grown into a trusted local advice firm with a team of experienced financial advisers. Based in Chipstead, we help families across the South East feel better off and more confident about their finances. Whether it’s investments, pensions, mortgages, or inheritance planning, our mission is simple: to give you clarity, confidence, and control over your money.

Approver Quilter Financial Services Ltd 20/08/2026