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Home Buying Checklist

Hard 18 items · 1 week
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testuser Published 4 weeks ago
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This checklist guides you through buying a property from mortgage pre-approval to completion day. It’s for first-time and experienced buyers who want a clear, practical timeline of the key tasks required to exchange and complete safely.

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  1. Get mortgage pre-approval — Obtain a decision in principle to confirm your borrowing limit.
  2. Confirm budget and additional buying costs — Include stamp duty, solicitor fees, survey, removals and contingency.
  3. Prepare a property wish list — List must-haves, nice-to-haves, commute and school needs.
  4. Arrange and attend property viewings — Book multiple viewings at different times where possible.
  5. Inspect key features during viewings — Focus on structure, services and obvious defects.
  6. Check structure, damp, heating and electrics — Look for cracks, stains, boiler age and tested sockets.
  7. Check insulation, windows, drainage and noise levels — Assess glazing, loft access, gutters and local disturbance.
  8. Compare properties and create a short list — Score options by budget, condition and location.
  9. Make an offer and negotiate price — Offer within your budget and allow room for negotiation.
  10. Instruct a solicitor or conveyancer — Hire a licensed conveyancer as soon as your offer is accepted.
  11. Order a full property survey — Choose RICS Homebuyer or full structural survey based on age/condition.
  12. Carry out searches and check title documents — Solicitor to run local authority, environmental and drainage searches.
  13. Review survey report and negotiate repairs or price — Use report to request repairs, a price reduction, or walk away.
  14. Agree exchange date, prepare deposit and finalise mortgage — Confirm exchange timetable, have deposit cleared and satisfy lender conditions.
  15. Arrange buildings insurance from exchange date — Insure the property from the day contracts are exchanged.
  16. Prepare for completion day — Plan movers, access, and final checks for handover.
  17. Notify utilities, take meter readings and arrange key collection — Call suppliers, photograph meter readings and confirm where keys will be collected.
  18. Confirm funds transfer and do a final walkthrough at handover — Ensure solicitor confirms cleared funds and check property condition before accepting keys.
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