Buying a Property Checklist

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What is the process for buying a house?

The process of buying a house has many stages and in order to keep a list of everything, we have put together a checklist to help keep everything in order.

How do I prepare to buy a house?

Whether you are a first-time buyer or have a portfolio of properties, at Spratt Endicott we want to ensure the conveyancing process for purchasing your property is as smooth and stress-free as possible. Knowing what to do and when, to help things progress as they should with your residential property purchase, can help give peace of mind. View our buying a house checklist.

Here is a checklist to help you understand the key stages of the buying process:

When you find a property:

We will:

  • Check the contract and the title deeds of the property
  • Sort out any problems that are revealed by such checks
  • Make all relevant conveyancing searches 
  • Make sure all relevant documents are signed and held by us

Your mortgage lender will:

  • Carry out a valuation of the property
  • Send the mortgage offer to you and instructions to us

You will need to:

  • Have the property surveyed (to be sure it is structurally sound)
  • Arrange provisional building insurance (it will need to be effected at exchange of contracts)
  • Raise any concerns you have about the property (or neighbouring properties) with us
  • Make provisional removal arrangements

When contracts are exchanged:

We will:

  • Fix the completion date
  • Send the deposit to the seller’s solicitor
  • Request the mortgage funds from your lender
  • Conduct the final searches
  • Provide you with a completion statement (financial summary) of the transaction

You will need to:

  • Confirm your building insurance
  • Confirm your removal arrangements (now that you have a definite moving date)
  • Arrange for meter readings to be taken on the day you move in
  • Notify your change of address to all relevant parties, including banks, building societies, credit card companies, insurance companies, DVLA, doctors, dentists, Post Office and Council Tax Office etc.

On completion

We will:

  • Send the purchase money to the seller’s solicitor and collect the deeds and documents of your new property in return
  • Pay any Stamp Duty Land Tax payable on the purchase price
  • Register your ownership with the Land Registry
  • Send you a copy of the title deeds confirming your ownership of the property

You will be able to collect the keys from the estate agent (at an agreed time) and move into your new home.

Download Our Buying A Property Checklist

Download a PDF version of our handy checklists to the buying and selling process of conveyancing.

Click here to download

Our People
  • Abigail Grantham
  • Associate, Head of Buckingham
  • 01280 730705
  • Email
  • Claire Rose
  • Associate
  • 01280 730706
  • Email
  • Clare Gardner
  • Conveyancer
  • 01280 730883
  • Email
  • David Inch
  • Director
  • 01295 204015
  • Email
  • Debbie Bates
  • Conveyancer
  • 01295 204032
  • Email
  • Geraldine Dobson-Magee
  • Solicitor
  • 01295 204076
  • Email
karen middleton
  • Karen Middleton
  • Manager, Residential Property Bicester
  • 01869 222306
  • Email
  • Maria Young
  • Non-Lawyer Associate
  • 01295 204058
  • Email
  • Nicole Bradders
  • Solicitor
  • 01869 222320
  • Email
  • Samantha Lawson
  • Solicitor
  • 01295 204113
  • Email
  • Terena Barnacle
  • Associate, Head of Brackley
  • 01280 730882
  • Email

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© 2021 Spratt Endicott, Spratt Endicott Solicitors are the trading names of Spratt Endicott Limited, a company registered in England & Wales (company no. 08030343) authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (registration no. 608169) and by the Financial Conduct Authority (registration number: 709546).
Spratt Endicott Limited uses the word “Director” to refer to a statutory director of the company and certain senior employees. A list of the statutory directors is available for inspection at our registered office, 52-54 The Green, Banbury OX16 9AB and at Statutory Directors. Website by Technique

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