Buying Guide

Buying a property is one of the biggest financial transactions we commit to over our lifetimes. There are a number of essential steps that must be followed to ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible and we are here to help.

The following is a brief step by step guide to buying a property:

How Much Can I Afford?

This is a question every buyer asks themselves and as buying a house is a long-term financial commitment it is important that you understand all of the costs involved. In addition to the purchase price, there are a number of other costs associated with buying a property that must be taken into consideration prior to proceeding with the transaction. Some of these costs include: Legal fees, Search Fees, Survey fees, Stamp duty tax and the costs associated with actually moving, such as hiring a removals firm. We advise buyers to speak to one of our qualified mortgage advisors before commencing their search. Your initial appointment is free of charge, and the knowledge you gain vital. To book a free appointment, contact us here.

How Do I Prove That I Can Afford That Amount?

Once you have worked out how much you can afford to spend on a house, our experienced mortgage advisor will be able to find the best mortgage product available to suit your unique circumstances. They have access to a broad range of mortgage products and exclusive deals from many well-established lenders. When you have found the deal that is right for you, apply for the mortgage and request a Mortgage Agreement in Principle from the lender.

Find a Suitable Property

Register your search requirements with one of our sales staff. Describing your ideal home, what's important to you from a property, why it's important and most importantly of all the areas that you would like to live in. You will then be given a range of properties that meet your individual requirements. Now it's time to book your viewings, most viewings are accompanied by one of our sales staff, however some vendors like to conduct the viewings themselves. Once you have viewed the properties you will be contacted again by our sales staff to gain your feedback of the properties that you viewed.

Instruct a Solicitor

Conveyancing refers to the process of transferring ownership of a building or land from the seller to the buyer. The majority of mortgage lenders will insist that you hire a qualified solicitor to carry out the conveyancing process to protect their assets. The process begins when an offer is made, and completes when contracts are exchanged. We work with a number of local and national solicitors who are experienced in conveyancing and who offer competitive pricing structures. We suggest using one of our carefully selected solicitors as we are in communication with them throughout the whole process making it as stress and hassle free for you as possible.

Make an Offer

When you have decided on a property you like, we will take an offer from you, use the asking price as a guide for the value the seller may accept and be prepared to negotiate if you offer less than this. Whilst this process can at times be lengthy and time consuming, it is worth the effort; after all, it is your next home that you are buying.

Arrange a Survey

Once your offer has been accepted, before proceeding any further with the transaction, it is advised that a survey be carried out by a qualified Chartered Surveyor, to satisfy yourself, and your lender, that the property is worth the value you have agreed to pay. Whilst there is an additional cost associated with having a survey carried out, it is a risk to buy without having one. A professional survey will identify any defects, and may save you thousands of pounds on repair and maintenance work further down the line. Many lenders will insist that you have a survey carried out before finalizing your mortgage agreement to convince themselves of the condition of the property and its actual monetary value. We have a selected team of Chartered Surveyors that we work with who have a broad range of experience in producing Homebuyer Reports and Building Surveys for varying types of property. For more information contact your local branch here.

Finalize your Mortgage

Once your offer has been accepted and your survey has been carried out, notify your mortgage company to finalize your agreement.

Agree your Moving in Date

This is the date on which the keys for your new property will be handed over to you so that you can move in. Ensure the date you agree provides you with enough time to pack up your possessions and that you can book a removals company on that date. We work with a number of removal companies that will be more than happy to supply you with a FREE estimate of the cost. For more information contact your local branch here.

Exchange Contracts

Your solicitor will work closely with the seller's solicitor to draw up a formal contract. Once you, and your solicitor, are happy with the agreement and you have paid your non-refundable deposit, the solicitors will exchange contracts on your behalf.