1. Find out how much you can afford

Once you decide you want to buy a property start saving as much as you can. Although 100 per cent mortgages are available, you will get a much better deal if you have a deposit. The amount you can borrow is based upon your earnings. Higher amounts may be available if you are a professional and some lenders nowadays base their calculations on how much they believe you can afford.


2. Looking for the right house for you

At Alan Francis we can help you find what is available. Ask to be put on our mailing list and we will contact you when suitable properties become available. Our website is also full of the latest available properties.


3. Making an offer

Once you are convinced you have found the property you want, let us know. If your offer is accepted, we will arrange for the property to be taken off the market.


4. Your Mortgage and Legal Services

We can help you arrange your mortgage and appoint a solicitor or a conveyancer to carry out the necessary legal work. Once your mortgage application has been submitted, the lender will carry out credit checks and you should be told within 24 hours if your application has been accepted.

A valuation of the propertywill be needed to establish that the property is worth the asking price, before your lender finally agrees to a mortgage.

A basic valuation will not tell you of any potential problems with the property. If you want a more in-depth report, we can arrange a homebuyer’s report which will provide more detail, or a full structural survey.

Your solicitor will meanwhile check the title deeds to the property, carrying out searches to ensure there are no planning applications, and liasing with the seller’s solicitor.


5. Final Stages

Proceeding smoothly, your solicitor will arrange for you to sign the contract. The seller will also sign a contract and these contracts will be exchanged. At this point you are required to pay the deposit to your solicitor.  This is when the deal becomes legally binding, if you pull out you would lose your deposit. 
 
Completion normally takes place around four weeks later - mortgage monies are passed on to the seller and you receive the keys to your new home.