The essential guide for moving home

So you’ve made the decision to sell your home. As always, our experts are here to guide you through the whole process, from promoting your property in all the right places to arranging the perfect mortgage that will let you buy your new home as quickly and as painlessly as possible.

6 steps to buying a home

1. Choose the right mortgage
   Whatever stage you’re at, our experienced mortgage advisers are here to help you find a mortgage that’s best suited to your financial and personal circumstances. If we don’t have the perfect fit for you, we’ll search the whole of the financial market to find a mortgage that is. Our advisers also provide you with an Agreement in Principle (AIP) certificate – a certificate issued that defines how much you can borrow.
   • Remember, if you sell your current property for a profit then you’ll have more money to use as a deposit on your new home. The bigger the deposit, the less your monthly repayments will be, and you’ll have a lower loan-to-value ratio, which should mean you get a more competitive rate
2. Get the right sale price
   Getting the best price for your current property is your priority. We believe that putting your home on the market at an accurate price is key to this, and that’s where our free valuation service comes in. Our experts’ in-depth knowledge of the local market and the price they’ve achieved for other houses in your area will help you price your home for a quick – and profitable – sale.
   
   Find out more  about getting the right sale price
3. Put your house up for sale
   It’s always better to have your house on the market before you start to look for a new property as this will speed up the chain later on. The good news is that we are one of the largest estate agents in the region and, with over 20 years of experience in selling homes in your area, we understand the local market and we’re committed to supporting you every step of the way. Our expert teams are waiting to help you sell your home at the best price as quickly as possible.
4. Make an offer on your new home
   Even though you’re not a first time buyer, you can still strengthen your position when it comes to making an offer on a house:
   • Once you’ve had a chat with our mortgage specialists and you’ve worked out how much you can afford, they’ll be able to give you an ‘Agreement in Principle’ certificate (AIP). This confirms how much you can borrow and shows estate agents and vendor that you are serious about buying. The AIP is free and doesn’t involve any credit checks. 
   • Let them know that your house is already on the market/sold subject to contract, etc, which means you will be able to complete more quickly than a buyer who has yet to put their house up for sale
   If your offer is accepted, then the house is ‘sold subject to contract’ and your solicitor/conveyancer will make a formal offer in writing to the vendor’s solicitor. As your purchase progresses, your solicitor or conveyancer will handle the legal transfer of the property including drafting contracts, agreeing moving dates, exchange of contracts and completion. We have strong relationships with local solicitors who offer professional services for both buyers and sellers at excellent rates, so ask us for details and recommendations.
5. Sort out your survey
   There will be a basic mortgage valuation survey carried out to confirm that the property you want to buy is worth the amount you are asking to borrow. But if you want a more comprehensive survey, we also offer a Homebuyer Survey that assesses the condition of the house and covers all parts of the building that are easy to get at, tests walls for damp and looks at the heating, drainage and electrical systems. We’ll give you a list of foreseeable problems and let you know if we think there are areas that need further investigation.
6. Get your home insurance in place
   You’ll need to have insurance from the moment you exchange contracts for your new home as you’re then committed to completing the purchase. Talk to our insurance experts about your needs. We have a product that’s really competitive, flexible and designed to give just the right cover for you and your lifestyle.
   
   Find out more about home insurance