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Client Guide: Buying And Selling A Home In The UK

Whether you're buying your first home or selling a property you've owned for years, the process can feel overwhelming. This guide outlines the key steps and what you need to know to move forward with confidence.

Getting Started

For Buyers:

  • Mortgage in Principle: Secure this early to show sellers you're serious.
  • Budgeting: Account for deposit (typically 5–20%), legal fees, surveys, and Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
  • Property Search: Research areas, prices, and local amenities.

For Sellers:

  • Estate Agent or Private Sale: Decide how you’ll market your property.
  • Documents to Prepare: Title deeds, EPC, warranties, and building regulation certificates.
  • Timing: If buying and selling simultaneously, coordinate carefully.

The Legal Process (Conveyancing)

1. Instruct a Solicitor or Conveyancer

  • Choose a regulated professional with residential property experience.
  • Ask about fees, timescales, and communication preferences.

2. Pre-Contract Stage

  • Sellers: Complete property forms (TA6, TA10, TA7 if leasehold), provide ID and title documents.
  • Buyers: Pay for searches (local authority, drainage, environmental), arrange a survey, and secure a mortgage offer.

3. Exchange of Contracts

  • Both parties sign contracts and agree a completion date.
  • Buyers pay a deposit (usually 10%) and arrange buildings insurance.
  • After exchange, the deal is legally binding.

4. Completion

  • Funds are transferred, and ownership changes hands.
  • Sellers vacate the property; buyers receive the keys.

Additional Considerations

  • Leasehold Properties: Identify the management company early to avoid delays with management packs.
  • Mortgage Lenders: Solicitors often act for both buyer and lender—this may affect how information is shared.
  • Surveys and Enquiries: Buyers should review all reports and raise questions about boundaries, disputes, or alterations.
  • Insurance and Fraud Protection: Consider Property Alert services and insurance options for peace of mind.

Top Tips

  • Instruct your solicitor early to avoid delays.
  • Check quotes from conveyancers and estate agents carefully. Do all the additional fees match?
  • Ask how your solicitor will communicate with you - direct contact is key.
  • Don’t be swayed by low-cost offers - quality service matters.

To contact our expert Solicitors in South Wales, please choose one of our local offices:

If there is not a local office to you, contact us on 03333 208644 as we are happy to arrange telephone and video meetings where appropriate. You can also email hello@jcpsolicitors.co.uk, or speak to a member of our team on .

Frequently Asked Questions

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of a property from the seller to the buyer. It includes preparing and reviewing contracts, carrying out property searches, exchanging contracts and completing the sale.

Property transactions involve complex legal requirements and checks. Using a regulated solicitor or conveyancer helps ensure the process runs smoothly and protects your interests. If you are using a mortgage, the lender will usually insist on professional legal support.

You should instruct your solicitor as soon as possible. Early instruction helps avoid delays and ensures necessary searches and enquiries can begin quickly.

Before exchange, sellers complete key property forms and provide documents. Buyers arrange searches, surveys, and secure a mortgage offer. Your solicitor reviews all information and raises any enquiries.

Exchange of contracts is when both parties sign and swap contracts. At this point the deal becomes legally binding and a completion date is agreed. Buyers usually pay a deposit at this stage.

Completion is the final step when the remaining money is transferred and ownership passes to the buyer. The seller hands over the keys and the buyer can move in.

Timescales vary, but a straightforward transaction can take on average around 14-16 weeks. Delays can arise from searches, mortgage offers and chain complications.

Solicitors carry out searches (local authority, drainage, environmental) and review documents to uncover issues that may affect the property. Leasehold properties require extra checks such as management packs.

Yes. Leasehold transactions often take longer because you need to obtain a management pack and review lease terms to understand obligations and potential costs. This information can take some time to receive from the managing agents, which is why it is essential to instruct early to try and limit delays.

In addition to solicitor fees, you should budget for search fees, surveys, stamp duty/Land Transaction Tax (Wales) (if applicable), Land Registry fees and any mortgage-related costs.

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