Step 1 Register your interest
The first step is to register with us by either visiting, calling or e-mailing one of our 5 local offices where you can discuss your property requirements with one friendly and experienced sales negotiators.

Step 2 The search begins
With a clear understanding of your requirements you will receive a selection of properties that match your criteria. In order to secure a property, we recommend an early viewing.

Step 3 Mortgage
It is advisable to establish the costs involved with moving which includes searching for a suitable mortgage and obtaining an agreement in principle as early as possible. This will help when you have found a property and means you will be ready to proceed once a sale has been agreed.

Our in-house independent mortgage consultants Mortgage Advice Bureau are 'whole of market' brokers and can search the entire market to find you the best mortgage deals and rates.

Step 4 Viewings
It's advisable to conduct a 'drive-by' viewing past the property to establish the true location and surroundings prior to arranging an internal viewing if at all possible. To arrange a viewing for one of our properties a simple telephone call to one of our offices and we will either contact the vendor or arrange an accompanied viewing at a convenient time.

Our offices and telephone lines are open 9am-5.30 Monday to Friday and 9am-4pm Saturdays although with viewings can often occur out of these hours if at all possible.

Step 5 Making an offer
Once you've found a suitable property, we'll put your offer forward to the vendor, both verbally and in writing. Any offer is subject to contracts being exchanged.

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

Step 6 Legal
A solicitor will be required to handle the legal paperwork involved (known as conveyancing). It is preferable to use a solicitor who knows the area that you're moving to and specialises in conveyancing.

We have a selection of tried and tested solicitors that are experts in property transactions who we would be happy to recommend.

Step 7 Sale agreed
Once your offer is accepted, you will need to instruct your solicitor to proceed immediately. At this stage it is a good idea to discuss exchange and completion dates.

This is also the time to instruct your mortgage broker to proceed with your mortgage application and make arrangements for a survey. By this time we will have discused Mortage Advice Bureau with you who can help and advice on a wide range of mortgage products. Mortgage Advice Bureau are whole of market brokers.

Step 8 Searches and Surveys
A draft contract is drawn up by the seller's solicitor and sent to your solicitor, who will raise some preliminary enquiries. Your solicitor will either request their own necessary searches or will use the information already provided in the seller's Home Information Pack.

A survey of the property will also be booked by a surveyor on behalf of the mortgage lender to identify any structural problems and advise on the property's value.

Step 9 Contract approval and mortgage offer
Once results of the local search and answers to the preliminary enquiries are received, the draft contract is approved by your solicitor, providing there are no further enquiries.

The Formal mortgage offer from your mortgage provider will be sent to your solicitor for you to sign. Once signed and returned, your mortgage is in place and you are ready to exchange contracts.

Step 10 Exchange of contracts
The contract then needs to be signed by you and the seller. The deposit (usually 10% of the purchase price) is telegraphically transferred or paid by the buyer's solicitor in the form of a banker's draft.

The completion date is then set.

Step 11 Completion
This is generally set a few days to a few weeks after exchange of contracts, depending on each party's personal requirements. Residual monies (usually 90%) are now transferred from your solicitor to the seller's solicitor's account.

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