The Buying Process

Here you can see the buying process stage by stage from registration to completion.

Select a stage of the process to find out more.

1. Registering with Douglas Allen


Our experienced Sales Advisors will need as much information as possible about the type of property you are looking for and are experienced in helping you find your ideal home.

We will listen to your requirements and advise you of the best possible matches plus some alternative options that could suit you as well.

Be clear as to your budget and what is important to you and what types of properties are available in your price range.

Our Sales advisors have excellent local knowledge so even if you are new to an area they can help you understand about local schools, transport and the area in general.

To register with Douglas Allen you can:

  • Visit your local branch (we have 16 high street branches)
  • Register online here
  • OR Call your local branch!

2. Searching for your Ideal Home


Whether you are experienced at moving home or a first-time buyer we can help you secure the home of your dreams or help you take that all important first-step on the property ladder.

Once we have a clear understanding of your requirements we will access all properties that match your criteria.We will send you full colour property particulars and can help you search in the branch through our wide range of properties, or you can simply use our brand new website to search in the comfort of your home.

We also list our property on Rightmove, Find A Property and movewithus so there are a number of ways to search online!

We always recommend early viewing as the best properties always move quickly.

3. Securing your Mortgage


In order to put you in a stronger negotiating position we recommend that you secure an Agreement in Principle as this will speed up a mortgage application and please your vendors.

At Douglas Allen we have our own in house Mortgage Advisors who can advise you on hundreds of mortgages, find the most suitable mortgage for you and offer you a fees free service, so thats one less moving cost to think about!

To find out more about an Agreement in Principle please refer to our Jargon Buster

4. Viewing Properties


Now the fun really starts, where you can view the properties that have been matched to your requirements. Viewings are arranged through your local branch where our staff will be happy to accompany you if you wish. Spending even a few minutes viewing a property will give you much more of an idea if the property is right for you and provide you with extra insight which our property details alone can't do.

For security reasons we will require all relevant information from our viewers.

5. Making an Offer


Once you have found a suitable property, we will put your offer forward to the seller, both verbally and in writing. Any offer is subject to contracts being signed and exchanged. Until such time as exchange takes place there are no legal obligations.

6. Conveyancing


You will need to instruct a solicitor or conveyancer to handle all the legal paperwork, arrange searches and liaise with the Vendor's solicitor.  We have our own Conveyancing panel which we recommend to our clients as they operate a fixed fee with no hidden extra costs.  We find that by keeping the conveyancing in-house a smooth and easier transaction is more often achieved because we can monitor this more closely on your behalf.  Our Panel work extended opening hours to assist you and also offer a No Sale, No Fee service.

7. Sale Agreed


Once your offer is accepted, you will need to instruct your chosen solicitor to proceed. At this stage you will also need to instruct your Mortgage Advisor to proceed with your mortgage application and make arrangements for a survey.

8. Draft Contracts


The Seller or Vendor's solicitor will now draw up a draft contract and send this to your solicitor, who will then raise preliminary enquiries and make a Land Registry Search to prove Title ownership of the property.

9. Searches


You solicitor will carry out a search with the Local Authority which will reveal any planning consents granted for the property and any local issues if applicable. Any questions that arise from this search are sent to the Vendors solicitors for further clarification.

10. Survey & Valuation


Your mortgage lender will require a survey to identify any structural problems and to advise the Lender as to the property's current value. If you require a more detailed report, this will need to be instructed at this time.

11. Contracts Approved


Once your solicitor is satisfied with all results from the searches, survey and preliminary enquiries the contract can be approved.

12. Formal Mortgage Offer


This document will be sent to your solicitor for you to sign. Once signed and returned, the mortgage is in place and you are ready to exchange contracts.

13. Exchange of Contracts


The contract is signed by both you and the Seller. The deposit (usually between 5-10% of the purchase price), is telegraphically transferred or paid by the buyer's solicitor in the form of a bankers draft. At this stage the transaction is now legally binding and completion dates are set.

14. Completion


This is the date agreed by both parties. On completion day the balance of payment is transferred from your solicitors account to the seller's solicitor's account. Your solicitor will notify you when you have completed and then you can move into your new home.

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

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