Step 1 - Arranging a mortgage

Before you begin your property search, it is advisable to arrange your finances and, if required, have a mortgage agreed in principle. This will confirm how much money you will have to fund the purchase, which will ultimately influence your property search.

FBM are pleased to introduce Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB) to our customers. Lisa Bradley from MAB can take a look at your current finances and, using a monthly budget calculator, work out what's coming in and what's going out, then offer independent advice on a huge range of mortgage products and get a solution which suits your individual needs. Lisa can also explain how you're affected if the interest rates change (up or down!) and point out the other costs involved in buying - such as stamp duty - so there's no nasty surprises along the way. She can even help with insurance for you and your new property.

Step 2 - Register with us and start looking!

Now you know eactly how much you can afford, it's time to register with us by calling one of our offices or visitng for an informal chat and a coffee... We'll need to discuss your property requirements, such as; how many bedrooms do you need or want? Parking? Garden? Would you consider a property in need of renovation?

There will be many points regarding the house and the area that are personal to you but its certainly worth narrowing things down as much as possible before you embark on your viewings. By pointing out your criteria to our sales team, we can ensure that we only inform you of properties that will be of interest to you. It may also be useful to collate a ‘Viewings checklist’ which you can take with you to each viewing.

Once we have a clear understanding of your requirements you will receive a selection of properties that match your criteria. We can also keep you constantly up-to-date via email and SMS alerts when the latest properties become available.

With over 500 properties to choose from you can rest assured we have just what you're looking for.

Step 3 - Viewing

We're open at times to suit you, convenient for viewing after work and at weekends: Our offices are open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and 9am-4pm Saturdays. In addition, our phone lines are open 8am-8pm, 7 days a week.

In order to secure a property we recommend an early viewing.

We will even chauffeur you to your viewings ensuring you arrive in a relaxed frame of mind and accompany you throughout so that we are on hand to answer any questions immediately and advise where necessary.

Step 4 - Instructing a solicitor

It's also now time to touch base with a solicitor. If you’re not sure, here’s a quick guide as to what a solicitor will do for you…

• Obtain sellers’ responses to questions, such as who owns the boundaries,whether they have had any disputes with neighbours and what fixtures and fittings are included 
• Check copies of any guarantees on the property, details of planning permissions and building regulations certificates 
• Check the seller really is the owner of the property and prepare a Report on Title for you 
• Check local authority searches and plans for the local area 
• Pay stamp duty tax on the property on your behalf 
• Arrange registration of title in your name 

Sorting out all the paperwork can take anything from 6 to 12 weeks after your offer is accepted – even when there’s no chain – so be patient!

Step 5 - Making an offer (Fingers crossed)

Once you have identified a suitable property we will put your offer forward to the seller both verbally and in writing stating any special conditions of the offer. You may need to demonstrate, if requested, that you are able to proceed (e.g. provide evidence of your mortgage agreed in principle).

There are no legal obligations on either side until contracts are signed.

Step 6 - Offer accepted....!

Once the seller has accepted your offer, ask them to take it off the market. They don’t have to agree to this but if they do, it will deter other potential buyers.You’ll need to get your mortgage application form completed and send whatever documents they need – your Mortgage Adviser will assist you with the process. The lender will arrange for a valuation to be carried out on the property. Once the lender has all the valuation and survey information, they will then confirm the amount they’re prepared to lend you against the property.

After the mortgage valuation report is received, a formal mortgage offer will be sent to you and your solicitor which you will need to sign before it is returned. There are no legal obligations until contracts are signed.

Step 7 - Exchange of contracts

Exchange of contracts occurs when all enquiries have been confirmed and agreed. Once the contract has been signed by both parties the deposit (usually 10% of the purchase price) will be telegraphically transferred or paid in the form of a banker's draft from your solicitor to the seller's solicitor. The completion date is then set by mutual agreement.

Step 8 - The Big Day !!

Completion is when the residual monies (usually 90%) are transferred from your solicitor to the seller's solicitor's account. We will release the keys once the money has cleared in the seller's account.

Congratulations, you are now the legal owner of your new home!

Moving day will be stressful! It’s very rare to hear from someone who doesn’t encounter at least some hassle during the process but, with careful planning, stress levels can be kept to a minimum.

Here’s a few tips to help make your big day go as smooth as possible…

• Make sure you use a good, dependable removals firm!  
• If possible, try to stagger moving days so you don’t have to do everything all in one day 
• This can also give you time to do any essential work to the new property such as carpet cleaning or any decorating that needs to be done before all your belongings arrive 
• Try to avoid arranging your moving day on Mondays and Fridays which are the busiest days on the road 
• Save time and cost by doing some of the packing yourself 
• Check out the best value utility contracts for your new property well in advance and read your meters in both properties on moving day 
• Redirect post well beforehand - this is especially essential to protect yourself from identity theft 
• As with every step in the process, FBM will be on hand to advise and help wherever possible