First Time Buyer - Help Needed

CT2012

Me and my wife (we make about 82k between us for information) are first time buyers and have reserved a new build plot (not the house just first refusal on the house when they start the building process). The house is due to be complete between September 2026 and December 2026. We have cleared the affordability checks with a broker, for the agreed 10% deposit hence the developers allowing us to reserve the plot. The house is currently priced around 300K.

I am paying off a lot of bad decisions (20k left) and saving for the deposit (30K), this is fine and we are on track to pay the majority of debt off by September 2025 a year before we move in with just a car and loan carrying on to August 2026. All of the savings will be available for September 2026 in time for the purchase.

I have a few questions on this though.

1. I am clearing my credit cards in there entirety by September this year with the original intention being to close the accounts, should I do this or should I keep it open and spend small amounts clearing the balance each month?

2. I have a CCJ from June 2023 (as I said a lot of bad decisions) I will be clearing this balance in June 2025 how much of an issue will this be to my credit score and to my mortgage application the following year. I brought this up with the broker during the affordability check and we still passed the check. 

3. We using MONEYBOX LISA's for our application and obviously will be putting money in them to the 4K (each) limit for the 2025 - 2026 tax year and 2026 - 2027 although we will be moving at the end of 2026. I am aware the solicitor organises the withdrawal but when is this money removed from the account?

4. The final question I have may be the simplest but I can't find information on it, I know there isa lot of rigmarole and payments for services to be made.
a. Deposit 
b. Arrangement Fees
c. Valuation Fees
d. Survey Fees
e. Stamp Duty (if the price goes over 300k)
f. Conveyancing Fees
g. Land Registry Fees 

What I can't figure out is when I pay it and who to?

There is also a reservation fee for the new build (500) and this is paid when we are offered first refusal. I have also accounted £500 for removal fees.

silvercar

4. The final question I have may be the simplest but I can't find information on it, I know there isa lot of rigmarole and payments for services to be made.

a. Deposit -there are 2 deposits the 10% deposit due on exchange and the remainder of the deposit due on completion (though the solicitor will probably want this at exchange. 
b. Arrangement Fees - for the mortgage? due on completion, but again the solicitor will likely want it at exchange
c. Valuation Fees - when you submit the full mortgage application
d. Survey Fees - assuming the property is actually built, when you commission the survey
e. Stamp Duty (if the price goes over 300k) - at exchange (in theory within 28 days of completion, but the solicitor will likely want it in advance
f. Conveyancing Fees - at exchange
g. Land Registry Fees - at completion or exchange as above.

Normally, the solicitor prepares an account with items a, b, d, f & g and tells you to pay it by exchange.

ACG

1. I am clearing my credit cards in there entirety by September this year with the original intention being to close the accounts, should I do this or should I keep it open and spend small amounts clearing the balance each month? - Up to you. Wont make much difference in the grand scheme of things. 

2. I have a CCJ from June 2023 (as I said a lot of bad decisions) I will be clearing this balance in June 2025 how much of an issue will this be to my credit score and to my mortgage application the following year. I brought this up with the broker during the affordability check and we still passed the check.  - It was only an affordability check by the sounds of it, not a credit check? I would satisfy the CCJ sooner rather than later. The longer it has been satisfied the better in general. Although this could change depending on the rest of your report.  

3. We using MONEYBOX LISA's for our application and obviously will be putting money in them to the 4K (each) limit for the 2025 - 2026 tax year and 2026 - 2027 although we will be moving at the end of 2026. I am aware the solicitor organises the withdrawal but when is this money removed from the account? - Usually very close to exchange/completion. 

4. The final question I have may be the simplest but I can't find information on it, I know there isa lot of rigmarole and payments for services to be made.
a. Deposit  - A few days before exchange. 
b. Arrangement Fees - Depends on whether you add it to the mortgage or if chargeable. Usually on completion if paying it upfront. 
c. Valuation Fees - If applicable, at application stage. 
d. Survey Fees - Will you want a survey on a new build? If you do, you can either do it through the lender instead of a valuation or separately after the offer has been issued or in reality whenever you want. 
e. Stamp Duty (if the price goes over 300k) - Solicitor will ask for this prior to completion.
f. Conveyancing Fees - part is usually needed upfront and the remainder around completion time. 
g. Land Registry Fees - part of the legal fees.