Buying a home is one of the biggest steps you’ll ever take. At Liverpool Residential, we want to make that journey as smooth as possible.
Here is our simple, step-by-step guide to the buying process in the UK to help you move from "browsing" to "key collection" with confidence.
Before falling in love with a property, you need to know what you can afford. Remember to factor in:
Deposit: Usually 5%–10% of the property price.
Stamp Duty: Tax paid to the government (First-time buyers often get relief).
Moving Costs: Legal fees, survey costs, and removal vans.
An AIP is a document from a mortgage lender stating how much they are likely to lend you.
Why it’s important: In a competitive market like Liverpool, having an AIP shows sellers and agents that you are a serious, qualified buyer.
How we help: We have an in-house mortgage advisor at Liverpool Residential who can help you.
>> Talk with a Mortgage Advisor
Now for the fun part! Register with us at liverpoolresidential.com to get alerts for new properties before they even hit the property portals. View properties & find your dream home.
Pro Tip: Think about your "must-haves" vs. "nice-to-haves" (e.g., parking, garden, proximity to the city centre or local schools).
Found the one? Tell the estate agent what you’d like to pay. We will put this forward to the seller to see of they will accept the offer.
Once an offer is accepted, the property is "Sold Subject to Contract" (SSTC).
You need a legal professional to handle the transfer of ownership & act on your behalf advising you. They will:
Check the "Title Deeds."
Conduct "Searches" (checking for local planning issues, water drainage, etc.).
Handle the transfer of funds.
While your mortgage lender will do a "valuation" to check the house is worth the loan, this isn't a detailed inspection. You may hire an independent Chartered Surveyor to check the property's condition.
Once your lender is happy with the valuation and your paperwork, they will issue a formal Mortgage Offer.
This is the "point of no return." Your solicitor and the seller’s solicitor swap signed contracts, and you pay your deposit (usually 10%).
The deal is now legally binding. Neither party can pull out without a heavy financial penalty.
You should arrange Buildings Insurance to start from this date.
This is moving day! Your solicitor transfers the remaining money to the seller. Once the seller's solicitor confirms receipt:
The keys are released! You can pick them up from our office or at the property.
Register your details with us and we will let you know when new properties come onto the market meeting your criteria. Register Here
