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Your step-by-step roadmap to homeownership.
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There are eight main stages: saving your deposit, getting a mortgage in principle, finding a property, making an offer, instructing a conveyancer, arranging a survey and valuation, exchanging contracts, and finally completing and moving in.
Typically three to six months from having an offer accepted to getting the keys. A chain-free purchase can be much quicker, while a long chain or a complicated leasehold can push it out further.
Exchange is when you and the seller sign the contracts and the sale becomes legally binding - you normally pay your deposit at this point. Completion is the day the remaining money is transferred and you get the keys, usually 7 to 28 days later.
Your lender arranges a basic valuation, but that only protects them - it tells you very little about the condition of the property. A Homebuyer Report or a full Building Survey checks it for you, and is well worth it on anything older or unusual.
Yes. All eight stages and their tips are free to read with no account. Creating a free account lets you save your figures and plan, and Premium members can tick off each stage to track their progress.
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