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and find the perfect
home for you and
your family
Buying a Property with Archer Bassett
Your next move starts here
Buying a home is an exciting milestone, but we understand that it can also feel like a big undertaking. Whether you're a first-time buyer, moving up the property ladder or looking for your next home, we're here to make the process as straightforward and enjoyable as possible.
At Archer Bassett, our friendly and experienced sales team will guide you through every stage of your property search, from registering your requirements and arranging viewings to helping you progress your purchase.
Let us help you find somewhere you'll love to call home.
Register with us
The first step is to tell us a little about the home you're looking for.
Register your details and let us know your preferred location, budget, property type and any other important requirements.
We'll use this information to match you with suitable properties from our database. You'll also receive updates when new properties become available that may be right for you.
The more we know about what you're looking for, the better we can help.
Arrange a viewing
Found a property you like the look of? We'd be delighted to show you around.
Our friendly sales team will arrange a convenient viewing time and answer any questions you may have about the property.
We appreciate that fitting viewings around work and family commitments isn't always easy, so we offer evening and Saturday appointments where available.
When viewing a property, take your time, look around and imagine yourself living there. We're here to help you make an informed decision.
Get your finances in place
Before making an offer, it's a good idea to speak to a mortgage adviser or lender to understand how much you can comfortably afford to borrow.
An Agreement in Principle (AIP), sometimes called a Decision in Principle (DIP), gives you an indication of how much a lender may be willing to lend.
Having this in place can help you:
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Understand your property budget.
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Know what deposit you may need.
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Demonstrate to sellers that you're in a position to proceed.
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Move forward more confidently when you find the right property.
Remember to allow for additional buying costs, including solicitor's fees, surveys, mortgage fees and any Stamp Duty Land Tax that may apply.
Making an offer
Found your ideal home? It's time to make an offer!
Let us know how much you'd like to offer and any conditions attached to your offer. We'll put this forward to the seller and keep you updated throughout the negotiation.
If your offer is accepted, congratulations! This is an important step, although the sale is not legally binding at this stage. Both parties remain free to withdraw until contracts are formally exchanged.
We'll ask you to provide:
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Proof of your deposit and funds.
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Your mortgage Agreement in Principle, if applicable.
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Your chosen solicitor or conveyancer's details.
We'll also need to complete the necessary identity and financial checks before progressing the sale.
Next steps –
a brief guide to the
conveyancing
process
Choosing a solicitor or conveyancer
Once your offer has been accepted, you'll need to appoint a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to handle the legal side of your purchase.
They will:
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Carry out property searches.
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Review the legal title and relevant documents.
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Raise enquiries with the seller's solicitor.
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Check the contract and any special conditions.
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Arrange the exchange of contracts and completion.
Your solicitor will keep you informed about the legal progress of your purchase and let you know if anything needs your attention.
Arranging a survey
It's important to understand the condition of a property before committing to buy it.
If you're purchasing with a mortgage, your lender will usually arrange a valuation to check that the property provides suitable security for the loan.
However, a mortgage valuation is not a detailed survey of the property's condition.
You may wish to arrange an independent survey for additional peace of mind. Common options include:
RICS Home Survey Level 2
A suitable option for many conventional properties in reasonable condition. It provides information about the property's condition and highlights defects that may need attention.
RICS Home Survey Level 3
A more detailed inspection, often recommended for older, larger or more unusual properties, or those requiring significant work.
Your surveyor can advise which survey is most appropriate for the property you're buying.
Property searches and legal enquiries
Your solicitor will arrange a number of searches and checks to identify anything that could affect the property or your decision to purchase.
These may include:
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Local authority searches: Information about planning permissions, building regulations, road schemes and other local matters.
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Environmental searches: Information about potential risks, including flooding and contaminated land.
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Water and drainage searches: Details about water connections, drainage and public sewers.
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Additional searches: Depending on the property's location and circumstances, further searches may be required.
Your solicitor will also raise enquiries with the seller's solicitor to clarify any outstanding questions about the property.
If you're buying a leasehold property, they'll review additional information relating to the lease, management arrangements, service charges and ground rent, where applicable.
Mortgage offer and exchange of contracts
Once your lender has completed its checks and is happy with the valuation and any other requirements, they'll issue your formal mortgage offer.
Your solicitor will review the legal paperwork, ensure any outstanding enquiries have been dealt with and confirm that everything is ready for exchange.
Before exchanging contracts, you'll need to agree on a completion date and arrange your deposit.
Exchange of contracts is a major milestone.
Once contracts have been exchanged, you and the seller are legally committed to completing the purchase on the agreed terms.
Completion – the keys are yours!
This is the moment you've been waiting for!
On the agreed completion date, your solicitor will arrange for the remaining purchase money to be transferred to the seller's solicitor.
Once the funds have been received and completion is confirmed, we'll arrange for the keys to be released to you.
Congratulations on your new home! We hope you'll be very happy there.
Understanding Freehold and Leasehold
When buying a property, it's important to understand the type of ownership attached to it.
Freehold
Owning a freehold property generally means you own the property and the land it stands on outright, subject to any relevant legal restrictions or obligations.
You are usually responsible for maintaining the property and land.
Leasehold
Owning a leasehold property means you own the right to occupy the property for the remaining term of a lease granted by the freeholder.
The lease sets out your rights and responsibilities, including any ground rent, service charges and maintenance obligations that may apply.
It's important to understand how many years remain on the lease, as well as any associated costs and restrictions, before proceeding.
Your solicitor will be able to explain the terms of the lease and highlight anything you should consider.
How can we help?
Buying a home should be an exciting experience, and you don't have to navigate the process alone.
At Archer Bassett, our sales team is here to answer your questions, arrange viewings and keep you updated as your purchase progresses.
Whether you're just starting your search or have already found a property you're interested in, we'd love to hear from you.
Let's find your next home together.