The Buying Process

If you've finally found the property you want to buy, you'll be happy to learn that British homebuyers have a high degree of protection under the law, making the UK one of the safest countries in the world in which to buy a home.

However, you will still need to think carefully before committing yourself to any purchase - don't allow yourself to be rushed into making a hasty decision, just because someone else is interested in the property or you're worried about possible price rises. Before you make any offer, you should research your bid thoroughly and be prepared to negotiate to get the best possible deal.

Once your offer is accepted, your mortgage lender will send a surveyor to carry out a valuation, and you should commission a more detailed surveyors report. At the same time, you'll need to appoint a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to deal with the conveyancing - the transfer of the property from the present owner to you. Once the conveyancing work is completed, a completion date can be agreed upon.

The buying process is slightly different if you are buying your house in Scotland or at auction and you'll find information in this section that examines these procedures in more detail.

With such a large sum of money at stake, it would be foolish to try and cut corners to save money on the relatively small cost of legal advice. Check the credentials of all the professionals you employ, and avoid relying solely on advice given by those with a financial interest in selling you a property, such as a developer or estate agent.

In this section, you'll also find advice on buying a property abroad, with some great tips to help you before you take the plunge and buy that house in the sun.

Making an Offer: Find out how you can secure the place that you want at a price that's right.
Valuation & Surveys: Taking your property's condition at face value could be a huge risk - make sure that you get the proper valuation and survey to ensure that you don't make a costly mistake.
Conveyancing: A look at the legal process of transferring ownership of a property, including searches, exchange of contracts and completion.
Buying Property at Auction: Find out everything you need to know about buying a house under the hammer.
Buying Property in Scotland: The buying process in Scotland is different to that of the rest of UK in many respects - find out exactly how and why here.
Buying Property Overseas: Does the thought of having your very own place in the sun appeal to you? This handy guide to buying abroad can help you to avoid all the possible pitfalls.