A step-by-step guide to help you understand the house buying process in the UK.

Rated 4.4/5 by over 2020 of our valued customers

Everyone needs house buying advice, whether you’re a first time home buyer or experienced homeowner.

We’ve compiled a simple guide to each step you’ll take.

Buying property can be quite complex. There are procedures and legal aspects that you won’t experience in any other part of life, and this will be the most significant purchase you’ll ever make. So no matter what stage you’re on in your home buying journey, it’s worth taking a moment to get acquainted with the basics.

Decide on what’s important to you

Consider the area and property type that appeals most to you. What budget can you realistically afford? What should the locality offer, from schools to shops and transport?

Consider the area and property type that appeals most to you. What budget can you realistically afford? What should the locality offer, from schools to shops and transport?
Work out the cost of moving

Before you search, get a clear idea of your budget by understanding the costs of things like fees, surveys, lending charges, service connection, searches and redecoration.

Before you search, get a clear idea of your budget by understanding the costs of things like fees, surveys, lending charges, service connection, searches and redecoration.
Arrange your mortgage

Our mortgage and protection advisers are on hand to advise you on the entire mortgage market and assess whether the home loan you are thinking about is affordable for you using a detailed budget planner.

Our mortgage and protection advisers are on hand to advise you on the entire mortgage market and assess whether the home loan you are thinking about is affordable for you using a detailed budget planner.
Instruct a property solicitor

A property solicitor moves your purchase on efficiently and quickly, taking care of the legal and administrative details. We recommend a Middlesex & Herts Conveyancing, a panel of trusted local firms.

A property solicitor moves your purchase on efficiently and quickly, taking care of the legal and administrative details. We recommend a Middlesex & Herts Conveyancing, a panel of trusted local firms.
Viewing properties

Either register at one of our branches or use our Befirst online search tool. Our database is updated every two hours, so you’ll see it here first. We can set up viewings in daylight and evening hours for properties that interest you.

Either register at one of our branches or use our Befirst online search tool. Our database is updated every two hours, so you’ll see it here first. We can set up viewings in daylight and evening hours for properties that interest you.
Make your offer

Let us know your offer, and we’ll contact the seller to begin negotiations. Consider things like your available funds — are you in a chain? Your timescales, too: can you do the deal at a time that suits them too? Proof of agreement from your mortgage lender also helps show you can move forward. Once the offer is...

Let us know your offer, and we’ll contact the seller to begin negotiations. Consider things like your available funds — are you in a chain? Your timescales, too: can you do the deal at a time that suits them too? Proof of agreement from your mortgage lender also helps show you can move forward. Once the offer is accepted, we’ll send it in writing.

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Sale agreed

Once your offer is accepted (subject to contract), you call it ‘sale agreed’. Your solicitor will begin to work through all the legal aspects of the sale and will receive the memorandum of sale from the seller’s solicitor to confirm acceptance of the offer. The formal mortgage application now begins, and the seller’s...

Once your offer is accepted (subject to contract), you call it ‘sale agreed’. Your solicitor will begin to work through all the legal aspects of the sale and will receive the memorandum of sale from the seller’s solicitor to confirm acceptance of the offer. The formal mortgage application now begins, and the seller’s solicitor sends copies of all relevant documents, including a draft contract of sale. Your solicitor will review these and prepare the documents for the exchange of contracts.

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Finalise on your mortgage

Your mortgage lender will need a surveyor to conduct a mortgage valuation of the property. We provide a wide range of property valuation and survey services. Contact our Chartered Surveyors for more information. Once your mortgage lender is satisfied, they will send you a mortgage offer.

Your mortgage lender will need a surveyor to conduct a mortgage valuation of the property. We provide a wide range of property valuation and survey services. Contact our Chartered Surveyors for more information. Once your mortgage lender is satisfied, they will send you a mortgage offer.

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Exchange of contracts

This formal exchange agrees the terms of the sale and makes them legally binding. You’ll need to finalise your mortgage, get a final report from your solicitor, send them your deposit and sign the contract. The completion date is scheduled, usually four weeks after exchange.

This formal exchange agrees the terms of the sale and makes them legally binding. You’ll need to finalise your mortgage, get a final report from your solicitor, send them your deposit and sign the contract. The completion date is scheduled, usually four weeks after exchange.
Completion Day

Lastly, you transfer the final payment to the seller — and congratulations! You receive the keys to your new home.

Lastly, you transfer the final payment to the seller — and congratulations! You receive the keys to your new home.