The Home Buying Process; A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Get your finances in order

• The very first step for buying a new home is to check how much you can borrow, see how much your deposit will need to be and get a mortgage agreed in principle.
• This doesn’t tie you into anything – you can always choose a different provider later.

2. Find your home

• Now for the exciting bit – choosing a home.
• You can search our homes by location, development or nearby school.

3. Find a solicitor

• A solicitor takes care of all the legal aspects of the home-buying process. Remember to shop around for the best rate and make sure you find one that specialises in conveyancing (preparing the property transfer documents).

• To find out information on finding a solicitor, please get in touch with one of our developments and speak to a sales adviser who will be able to help.

4. Reserve your home

• Now you've got your finances in order and found a solicitor, it's time to reserve your home.
• Once your home is reserved, no one else will be able to reserve it.

• As part of the reservation process we are obliged to complete an AML (Anti Money Laundering) check on all our customers. An AML check is an assessment to make sure you are who you say you are and that you’re not purchasing one of our homes on behalf of somebody else.  We may need you to show that you have sufficient funds and demonstrate (with supporting documents) where the money is coming from, such as the sale of your last home.

• The check is completed electronically with a trusted partner called SmartSearch on either a laptop or smartphone. Our Sales Advisors will take you through the process before you complete a reservation with us and pay your reservation deposit.

• Why do we check? As a leading house builder, we have a role to play in preventing financial crime and money laundering as set out in the UK’s Anti Money Laundering Regulations.

   

5. Arrange your mortgage

• There are plenty of options to consider when it comes to a mortgage.
• Once you’ve done your research (or spoken to a mortgage adviser – we can put you in touch if you like) you can select the option that’s best for you.

6. Get a valuation and survey

• Your mortgage lender will want confirmation the home is worth what you’re paying for it.
• They’ll organise the valuation for you – this will involve a fee. 

7. Complete legal work

• Your solicitor will look after this for you.
• It’s all about formally transferring ownership from us to you (known as conveyancing), and checking there are no legal obstacles in the way, like local plans that may affect the value of the property.

8. Exchange contracts

• Once the legal work is complete, your solicitor will exchange contracts with us. This is when you pay your deposit and commit to the deal taking place.

• We’ll then invite you to your New Home Tour, where we’ll take you round your new home and show you where things are and how everything works.
• You can now organise your move.

9. Complete and move in

• On the date of completion, you become the legal owner of your new home.

• The full cost of the property is transferred from your solicitor to the seller.

• Then the keys are yours and you can move in!

Help to Sell

If you’re looking to start your next adventure, but are worried about the hassle of moving, we have a range of schemes available to help you sell your existing home.

Part Exchange

We could be your guaranteed buyer, so no stress or fuss, just an easy move for you and your family. 

Low Deposit Offers

If you have a low deposit, we have a variety of schemes available to help make moving more affordable.