The Buying Process

Finding and buying a home can seem like a complicated and daunting process, especially for the first-time buyer. Here are the major milestones you'll encounter along the way.

Arrange Your Finances

• Save yourself a lot of stress later on by getting your finances arranged as early as possible.
• A serious and organised front will later help to convince a vendor to accept your offer.
• We have listed a Mortgage Advisor, who we know and trust, and will be able to help you.
• An ideal situation is to get an 'Agreement in Principle' from your mortgage lender. With this you can prove that you can afford to buy before you choose a property.

• You will need either a solicitor or a licenced conveyancer to help with the legal parts of the buying process - called conveyancing.
• It can be useful to choose someone with local knowledge and contacts.
• Call a few different solicitors and compare quotes.
• Choose someone that answers the phone to you! You need to feel happy that they will be around when you need them most.
• Choose someone that you get on with when you speak to them.
• Ask family and friends for recommendations.

Your Search

• Register your requirements on this site, in person at one of our offices, or by phone.
• We'll call you with suitable property details and send them to you too.
• We'll arrange viewings for properties that suit you.

Making an Offer

• We'll present your offer to the vendor and get an agreement for sale.
• Your offer will be subject to contract and survey.
• You are not legally obliged to buy the property until you have signed a contract.

Sale Agreed

• Instruct your solicitor to begin the conveyancing process - they need to submit the local area searches, and begin drafting a contract.
• Instruct your financial advisor/ bank to proceed with the mortgage application.
• The lender will order a survey for the property.

Get a Survey

• Make a note yourself of anything specific you notice when you view the property, and tell your surveyor.
• Your lender will want at least a Valuation Survey. This will establish basic structural condition and confirm the market value of the property.
• If the property is old, or you are concerned there may be some problems, consider getting a Homebuyer's Report. This is a more thorough type of survey, but is also more expensive - around £500.
• The most thorough type of survey is a full structural survey. These can cost around £1000, but are the most effective way to uncover any potential structural problems with a property. Furthermore, the survey will make recommendations for remedial work, allowing you to assess potential costs.

Get Mortgage Offer

• Once all the paperwork is complete, and the survey is returned with all queries answered by the vendor, the lender will formally offer the mortgage in writing.

Exchange of Contracts

• Once all queries have been answered, contracts are signed by both buyer and seller and then exchanged.
• Once contracts are exchanged, you are legally obliged to buy the property.
• Your solicitor will transfer a deposit for the sale, often 10% of the total price.
• A firm date for completion can now be set.

Completion

• Mutually convenient completion dates are usually arranged one week to a month after exchange.
• You can now pick up the keys and move in!