Find out more about the home buying process with our simple guide.
The first thing you will need to do is to ensure you set a budget. If you are lucky enough to have sufficient ‘cash’ funds, then this will simply be down to how much you have in the bank. The majority of buyers will require a mortgage as well.
Speak to a mortgage advisor who should be able to tell you how much you can borrow based on your circumstances. Make sure they are independent, not tied to any specific lenders and impartial. That way you will get the best options for you.
For some free, no obligation advice on mortgages speak to one of our friendly advisors at Chancery Mortgage on 020 8460 8460.
Now you have set a budget, next comes the fun bit. Armed with your knowledge of how much you can spend and what features you are looking for, register with agencies and web portals. Remember to list your priorities in order of importance. You may find you can’t get everything you would like, but try to get as many of the top priorities as you can.
Our negotiators are aware of properties before they hit websites, so we can call you with pre-market opportunities if we know what’s important to you. Also, be cautious of refusing properties based on photos, the only way to really experience a property is to go and view it.
You’ve found the home of your dreams, it’s within your budget, now make sure you get it. You’ll have a good idea, based on all the other properties you have seen, what you think the property is worth, so make an offer to the Estate Agent. Don’t worry if you get knocked back, you can always counter offer, although be aware there may well be competing bids and you don’t want to miss out.
Once the offer is agreed, act quickly to ensure it’s ‘under offer’, the estate agent will need to see:
Now it’s mostly time to sit back and let the professionals take over. Your broker will submit your mortgage application and the mortgage lender will arrange the valuation. At the same time, your solicitor will acquire the Contract of Sale, Searches, Leasehold Pre-Assignment Pack (if applicable) and Mortgage Offer (if applicable), along with any other surveys or checks you require.
They will ensure all the paper work is in order and once they are satisfied, they will ask you to sign the contract and transfer deposit monies to them in order to Exchange Contracts.
Once your solicitor is happy and you have reviewed the paperwork, your solicitor will ask you to agree a date for Completion – that is the day you would like to take legal ownership of the property – usually a week or two into the future.
Once both parties agree the date, then your solicitor will transfer your deposit money (usually 10% of purchase price) and contracts exchange. Be warned that at this point the transaction becomes legally binding so make 100% sure you are happy to proceed before exchanging contracts.
Finally, the day you will have spent months waiting for! On the day of completion, your solicitor will transfer the remainder of the purchase funds to the vendor’s solicitor. Once funds are cleared, we will get the phone call to say we can “release the keys”.
This is usually early afternoon some time. You are now the proud owner of your new home. Collect the keys, move in, unpack and buy a takeaway. A bottle of bubbly always helps you warm your new home too!
If you are looking for mortgage advice, please speak to our partner Chancery Mortgage Services.
Get answers to common questions about our services for home buyers across South East London.
Yes, in order to progress a purchase in the smoothest fashion we have a panel of solicitors who we have worked alongside for a few years.
Yes, our extensive range of properties include new build properties as well as resale properties.
We have a sales progressor who once an offer is accepted will be assigned to your property to provide update through to completion.
Yes, one of these areas this applies is our extensive list of landlords along with contacts stretching over 40 years.
We have a sales team who all work together to ensure strong communication throughout your buying journey.
All enquiries are taken seriously, as a buyer we can guide you every step of the way from the 1st initial introduction.
Contact our agency and we will send you a offer form to fill out the required details and then send back to us.
Once your offer is qualified, we present to the seller sharing the information only with our sales team.
Yes, Transparency is key with the sale process from start to finish, we have a wealth of experience to advise buyers in the event the offer isn’t competitive.
Responses to enquiries need to be satisfied and you need to have signed and returned your contracts and sent 10% of the purchase price as your deposit to the solicitor.
Once they have this you give your authority to exchange and the exchange of contracts takes place, making the transaction legally binding.
Yes, in order to progress a purchase in the smoothest fashion we have a panel of solicitors who we have worked alongside for a few years.
Yes, our extensive range of properties include new build properties as well as resale properties.
We have a sales progressor who once an offer is accepted will be assigned to your property to provide update through to completion.
Yes, one of these areas this applies is our extensive list of landlords along with contacts stretching over 40 years.
We have a sales team who all work together to ensure strong communication throughout your buying journey.
All enquiries are taken seriously, as a buyer we can guide you every step of the way from the 1st initial introduction.
Contact our agency and we will send you a offer form to fill out the required details and then send back to us.
Once your offer is qualified, we present to the seller sharing the information only with our sales team.
Yes, Transparency is key with the sale process from start to finish, we have a wealth of experience to advise buyers in the event the offer isn’t competitive.
Responses to enquiries need to be satisfied and you need to have signed and returned your contracts and sent 10% of the purchase price as your deposit to the solicitor.
Once they have this you give your authority to exchange and the exchange of contracts takes place, making the transaction legally binding.
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