Understand the costs involved

The purchase price is only part of the picture. Alongside your deposit, budget for: Mortgage arrangement and valuation fees. Conveyancing (solicitor) costs and Land Registry fees. A survey on the property. Stamp Duty Land Tax. Removal costs and building and contents insurance. It is wise to keep a contingency fund for any unexpected expenses too.

Ask the right questions

When viewing a property, do not be afraid to ask questions. Useful things to find out include: Local transport links, nearby schools and shops. Council tax band, and how long is left on the lease if leasehold. Service charges and ground rent where they apply. The age of the boiler and roof, and whether there is double glazing and loft insulation. When the property last sold.

A few things to sort around completion day: Arrange building and contents insurance from completion day. Redirect your post and register with the local council for council tax. Transfer utility accounts into your name. Update your address with your bank, employer and GP. Need recommendations for removal firms or tradespeople? Just ask the team.

Buyer Guide | Dart & Partners

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Buying with us

A step by step guide for buyers

Whether you are a first-time buyer or moving up the ladder, buying a home runs more smoothly when you know what is coming. This guide walks you through the whole process, from getting your finances in order to picking up the keys.

Our local team is with you at every stage, so if anything here raises a question, just ask.

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Three parts, about a 5 minute read

Part one

Getting ready to buy

Before you start viewing properties, get a clear picture of your budget. Speak to a mortgage adviser or your bank to obtain a mortgage agreement in principle, this shows sellers you are a serious buyer and helps you understand exactly what you can afford.

The purchase price is only part of the picture. Alongside your deposit, budget for:

Mortgage arrangement and valuation fees.
Conveyancing (solicitor) costs and Land Registry fees.
A survey on the property.
Stamp Duty Land Tax.
Removal costs and building and contents insurance.

Part two

Finding and securing a home

Browse our listings online, set up property alerts so new homes matching your criteria land straight in your inbox, and register with us so we can contact you about properties before they hit the portals. Do not limit yourself to one area, explore neighbouring streets and villages where you might find better value.

When viewing a property, do not be afraid to ask questions. Useful things to find out include:

Local transport links, nearby schools and shops.
Council tax band, and how long is left on the lease if leasehold.
Service charges and ground rent where they apply.
The age of the boiler and roof, and whether there is double glazing and loft insulation.
When the property last sold.

Try to view a property at different times of day to get a feel for noise, traffic and natural light. Look beyond the decor and focus on the structure, layout and potential. Take photos and notes so you can compare properties afterwards. If you are serious about a home, a second viewing is always a good idea.

When you find the right property, do not delay, in a competitive market homes can sell quickly. We will present your offer to the seller and negotiate on your behalf to get the best possible deal. Do not be disheartened if your first offer is not accepted; buying a property is a negotiation.

Part three

From conveyancing to completion

Once your offer is accepted, you will need a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to handle the legal work. Choose someone responsive and experienced in residential conveyancing. They will carry out local authority searches, check the title, raise enquiries and prepare the contracts for exchange.

Your mortgage lender will carry out a basic valuation, but this is not a full survey. We strongly recommend commissioning a HomeBuyer Report or a full Building Survey, especially on older properties. A survey can uncover issues that might affect the price you are willing to pay, or flag repairs you will need to budget for.

Once the lender's valuation is satisfactory, your formal mortgage offer will be issued. Check the terms carefully, including the interest rate, any early repayment charges and any conditions attached to the offer. Your solicitor will also review the mortgage deed before you sign.

Once all searches are complete, enquiries are resolved and both parties are happy, your solicitor will exchange contracts with the seller's solicitor. At this point you pay the deposit (usually 10%) and a legally binding completion date is set.

On completion day, your solicitor transfers the remaining funds to the seller's solicitor. Once the money is received, the keys are released and the property is officially yours. We will let you know the moment the keys are ready to collect, congratulations on your new home.

A few things to sort around completion day:

Arrange building and contents insurance from completion day.
Redirect your post and register with the local council for council tax.
Transfer utility accounts into your name.
Update your address with your bank, employer and GP.

Need recommendations for removal firms or tradespeople? Just ask the team.

This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Costs, taxes and rules change over time, so we recommend speaking to a mortgage adviser and a solicitor about your own circumstances. Last updated: April 2026.