Buying a home is a complex and sometimes lengthy process - but if you can get your head around the basics of how it works, you’re less likely to be taken by surprise along the way and your home-buying experience will be easier.
This page takes you briefly through each step you’re likely to take when buying your first home in Cheltenham with The Property Centre.
What can you afford?
The first step to buying your first home in Cheltenham is to find out what you can afford.
The amount you need to borrow will depend on the size of your deposit.
Once you know the size of your deposit, you’ll need to speak to a mortgage advisor. We have a professional why Cheltenham is such a fantastic place to live will a wide range of knowlege of the local area.
With access to 1,000s of products from over 90 lenders, they’re best placed to find you a mortgage most suited to your needs - arrange an appointment today.
Location, location, location
With nine offices located across Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, we have a deep understanding of these two beautiful counties and all they can offer.
So whether you’re moving within Cheltenham or relocating from further afield, our informative guides are a great place to start your research.
Discover all the areas of Cheltenham that you may want to consider in our expert guide or click here for the lowdown on why Cheltenham is such a fantastic place to live.
Find your perfect home in Cheltenham
You’ll need to consider which aspects of a property are important to you. Write a list of ‘essentials’ and ‘nice to haves’ before starting your house hunt.
Once you’ve confirmed your criteria, contact the team at our Cheltenham estate agents.
Our friendly staff will use their in-depth local knowledge to best advise you and register you on our system so we can notify you by email, text message and phone when a suitable property comes onto the market.
We conduct viewings seven days a week and can happily arrange one outside of regular hours to fit in with your busy lifestyle. Start your property search now.
Make an offer
Once you’ve found your perfect property, you’ll need to make an offer.
It’s essential to consider a variety of factors when choosing your price level in order to achieve the right deal for you. How strong is your position?
First-time buyers and buyers with no chain have a head start on most of the competition.
Conveyancing
Once you’ve agreed an offer on the property you’re looking to purchase in Cheltenham, you’ll need to get a solicitor or conveyancer to handle the legal work involved in transferring ownership of the property to you.
The Property Centre works with a local firm of solicitors who provide a friendly and efficient service designed to be stress-free for our customers.
The conveyancing company works proactively to best protect your interests and ensures legal title is transferred as quickly as possible. Request a no Obligation Quote.
Survey
Instructing a Homebuyer or Full Survey is a good thing to do and may save you money, time and hassle later down the line.
We work with several local, independent RICS-qualified surveyors who offer a range of different survey types to suit different requirements – simply ask in one of our branches for more details.
Sales progression
This is the length of time between an offer being accepted and the point of exchange.
At The Property Centre, we’re unique locally for having a large dedicated sales progression team, based at our head office, whose sole purpose is to liaise with all parties involved in a sale or purchase.
Not only does this communication remove a lot of the stress from the process, but it helps to ensure completion can happen as quickly and smoothly as possible.
The exchange
Until you exchange contracts, neither side has any legal obligation to buy or sell the property.
Both buyer and seller sign identical contracts, but only when the contracts are formally exchanged by the solicitors does the deal become legally binding.
It’s extremely rare for anyone to pull out after exchanging contracts, and in practical terms, this is when you can pop the champagne cork.
Completion
On the day of completion, the money is transferred and any deeds for the property are exchanged between each side’s solicitor or conveyancer. Most excitingly, you collect the keys to your new home in Cheltenham.
Moving
Try and make your moving day go as smoothly as possible by using a good removals firm.
We’re happy to recommend local businesses or ask your friends and family who they used. If you’re lucky enough to be able to gain access to your new home before you leave your old one, use the time to do any decorating or carpet cleaning before your belongings arrive.
Save time and money by doing some of the packing yourself and don’t forget to redirect post well before your move date - this is especially important to protect yourself from identity theft.
