The New Build Home Buying Process

When you buy your home, you can take advantage of our expertise. We’ve got hundreds of flats and houses across Middlesex, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, all looking for buyers right now. Whether you’re after your first home, a new build or a buy to let investment, let us know what you’re looking for and we’ll take it from there.

You can register with [befirst] and be the first to learn what’s new on the market even before they are advertised, so you can relax. [befirst] offers buyers an easy and convenient way to find a property. By simply entering a few key details about you and the type of property you’re looking for, you’ll be automatically emailed information about properties that match your chosen criteria. For more information or to register with [befirst] click here.

Register Your Interest

Register your interest at the nearest Gibbs Gillespie office or give us a call on +44 (0)845 481 1640 and develop a relationship with a Gibbs Gillespie representative who really knows your area. Put our local knowledge to the test.

We don’t just bring buyers and sellers together: we can help with finance, conveyancing, surveys and every stage of your move. Find out more with our step by step guide below to the buying process:

Step 1: Prepare a Shortlist

We’ve literally got hundreds of properties for sale across Middlesex, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire right now, so before you start your search, it helps to put some thought into exactly what you’re looking for.

Make a list of what’s important to you, including the essentials and the things that are just nice to have, and go from there.

If you’re buying to let, think about what your tenants would like. For example, students might want somewhere central with easy access to local nightlife, while for a young family open space and good schools might be more important.

Preferred Areas

If you’re buying, it’s likely you’ll own the place for a while, so location is doubly important. Do you want to be near work, in a leafy neighbourhood or in a town centre? Do you want local shops and restaurants? Are good schools important to you?

Make a list of roads that appeal to you and take time at weekends to have a good look round.

Speak to a Gibbs Gillespie representative to find out what’s going on in your area.

Transport Links

Getting around in your chosen area can be just as important as the area itself. Are you happy to travel some distance to work or do you want to walk? Do you need easy access to a tube or mainline station? If you travel out of London, do you need to be near a motorway?

Size and Type

A few things to consider:

Step 2: Mortgage

When the right property comes along, you’ll want to be able to act immediately, so get your finances sorted out as early as possible and your mortgage agreed in principle.

Our recommended broker, The Mortgage & Insurance Bureau can help you work out how much you can afford and search the entire market to find you the best mortgage deals and rates.

When you find the right place, you’ll need a solicitor to handle the legal paperwork involved, and we can help you find one. Gibbs Gillespie Conveyancing puts you in touch with solicitors we know and trust.

We’ll also help you plan your budget, which will need to cover:

A contingency fund to cover any unexpected costs is a good idea too.

Step 3: Viewings

Once you’ve sorted out your mortgage and you know the kind of property you’re looking for, it’s time to get out there and find it. We’ve got 6 sales offices across Middlesex, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire open 7 days a week and late into the evening convenient for viewings after work and at weekends.

When we've found you something of interest, we’ll set up a viewing appointment as soon as possible. A quick tip: make two visits, one during the day and one at night.

Step 4: Making An Offer

Once you’ve found a place that ticks all the boxes, you're ready to make an offer. Any offer is made subject to contracts being signed. Let the agent know as soon as possible so the seller can be contacted with details of your offer.

When you make your offer, the seller will consider your position, for example:

Have you found a buyer for your home?

Can you prove that you can afford to buy the property? It's a good idea to have a written agreement in principle from your mortgage lender.

Can you move in time to suit the seller's own plans?

Once you’ve had your offer accepted, we’ll confirm it to you in writing, it is then subject to certain terms and conditions.

Step 5: Sale Agreed

So, you’ve made your offer and it’s been accepted. This stage is known as sale agreed. This is where your solicitor gets involved to check out all the legal aspects of the sale. At this stage it is a good idea to discuss exchange and completion dates.

If you don’t have a solicitor, we can help you find one. Gibbs Gillespie Conveyancing puts you in touch with solicitors we know and trust.

This is also when you (or your mortgage advisor) will go ahead with your formal mortgage application, to check that your lender’s willing to lend on that specific property.

Conveyancing

The seller’s solicitor will:

Your solicitor will:

Assuming there are no problems and your solicitor has your mortgage offer, deposit and a signed contract, they can exchange contracts and set a completion date.

Step 6: Finalise Your Mortgage

Before your mortgage lender makes you an offer, they’ll need a mortgage valuation to check that you’re not borrowing more money than the property is actually worth and advise on the property’s value.

Buying a home is a massive investment, so you might also want a homebuyer survey or building survey. This provides a far more detailed assessment of the condition of the property. To organise a homebuyers report or full building survey, contact your Gibbs Gillespie Surveyors and Valuers.

Once your mortgage lender is happy, they’ll send your mortgage offer, including details of the terms, to you and a copy to your solicitor.

Step 7: Exchange Contracts

You’re on the home straight now. The formal exchange of contracts agrees the terms of the sale and makes them legally binding on both you and the seller.

Before the formal exchange, you’ll need to:

This is also the time to sort out the practicalities of your move. Have you organised a removals company and storage? Do you need to sort out buildings and contents insurance? Have you spoken to the companies that supply your utilities? Will your pets need looking after during the move?

Once the exchange has happened, you can look forward to the completion date when the money gets transferred, and the property legally changes hands. This is normally four weeks later, but you can choose to exchange and complete on the same day if you need to.

The terms of the sale are now legally binding, which means that your deposit is non refundable if you change your mind. Equally, the seller is obliged to sell to you at the price you’ve agreed.

Step 8: Completion

This is the point when you know it was all worth it. On or just before the day of completion, your solicitor will pay what you owe to the seller’s solicitor.

Once you’ve had the call to confirm that the money has been transferred, the transfer document and title deeds will be yours. You can pick up the keys.

Congratulations, welcome to your new home!