If you want a more efficient, swifter move, please follow these tips. Any seller will favour you if you can tick all these off.

Before you view properties…

Get your finances arranged

You wouldn’t go into a shop not sure if you had a way to pay. The same as viewing a new home. We insist on getting a Mortgage Agreement in Principle. A broker will get this prepared for you. They will look at the total cost to move, then your deposit saved, they will look at your current income and outgoings and help select the best mortgage for you, if the mortgage company is happy you will get an agreement. Then when you find the right home you just need to do the form and the mortgage company will check the property is suitable. This system done in advance will shave many weeks off the transaction. Need help with a broker? Just ask the Cooper Adams team.

Instruct a solicitor

Shop around for solicitors, ask us – we know the proactive ones. Look at their Google reviews. Instruct them in advance as this will save a lot of time.

Wait until you have a buyer

If you’re also selling a home, find a buyer for it before you begin to look for your new home. You’ll avoid the disappointment of missing out because someone else has the funds immediately available. Of course look online but physically viewing properties before agreeing a sale on your own will just increase anxiety for you.

Viewings

Do your homework, drive past the outside first, look at the room sizes on the floorplan – does it work for you? Look at the immediate area, read the details thoroughly – If all OK ring and book the viewing before someone else snaps it up.

Buyer Information Pack (BIP)

If you are keen on the property ask Cooper Adams to see the BIP – this pack is full of information about the property, boundaries, rights of way, planning permissions – lots of info. Reading this gives you confidence you know the bones of the property before you commit.

Consider the property seller

Establish how quickly the seller wants to move at the outset. If the answer is as quickly as possible, does that fit with your circumstances? If they’re moving to a new job that doesn’t start for months, will you be able to find a temporary home?

If you’re keen to find a bargain, you may have a better chance if you look for sellers who need to move for a reason, such as a new job, have already found a new home so have a strong incentive to move or have had their property on the market for some months.

Communicate during the property buying process

Don’t disappear on holiday for two weeks without informing all necessary parties. Don’t ignore any aspects of letters about the purchase that you don’t understand. Raise any queries you have about the purchase immediately. Always aim to return any forms or papers by the next day. If everyone took a week for each form it will extend the moving time by months.

For any further advice, simply contact us.