Steps to buying

Step 1 - Financial assessment (if you're buying a shared ownership home)

Don't worry - It’s not as ominous as it sounds!

If you're buying a shared ownership home we'll need to confirm that you're eligible for the property you have chosen and carry out a quick affordability assessment.

Step 2 - Viewing

We’ll make an appointment for you to view the property so you can have good look around, ask any questions and make sure that it’s the right home for you.

Step 3 - Decision in Principle (if buying outright)

If you're buying outright, a Decision in Principle (DIP, also known as an Agreement in Principle) is provided by your mortgage lender to show that they can, in principle, give you a mortgage which will cover the required amount .

Step 4 - Reservation

Once you’ve made your choice you can reserve your property. This means we hold the home for you for an agreed amount of time. It's taken off the market so no one else can reserve it. You'll pay a £500 reservation fee, which you get back when the sale is completed (it's deducted from your final purchase cost).

Note - on some sites you may be asked to complete a financial assessment and instruct a solicitor before making your reservation.

Step 5 - Choose a solicitor

You can now choose a solicitor to help purchase your new home.  If you're buying a shared ownership home it's always best to make sure you find one who is experienced in shared ownership sales. If you need any help we can recommend some for you to choose from.

Step 6 - Notification of sale

You’re nearly there!

We'll send a notification of sale to both your solicitor and ours - this will instruct them to start the conveyancing process. You'll have 28 days from this date to exchange contracts.

Step 7 - Exchange of contracts

Once all the details of the sale have been finalised, we'll swap documentation to confirm that the property sale is legally binding and at the agreed asking price. You'll pay your deposit at the same time, which will be held by our solicitors.

If the home is already built and ready, we'll also confirm the completion date (this is essentially 'moving-in day').

If you're buying off-plan then exchange of contracts will take place on notice. This means that when the property is ready our solicitor will confirm with your solicitor (this is the ‘notice’). You'll then need to complete within a specified period from the time of notice being provided.

Step 8 - Home Demonstration

Before the sale is completed we'll arrange a Home Demonstration for you with one of our team. You'll have the opportunity to view your home, learn how everything works and ask any questions.

Step 9 - Completion

Completion day is moving-in day!

On the day of completion, the final money to buy your home is transferred from your solicitor to ours.

Once this is confirmed, we'll meet you at the property and give you the keys to your brand- new home!