Are you excited about purchasing your own house in London, UK? However, at the same time, are you worried about the time required to complete the entire process? It's understandable to be concerned about the time it will take to buy a house, but there is no need to worry as you have come to the right place. We understand that purchasing a home in the competitive market of London can be tricky; however, it can be a relatively simple process if you approach the right estate agents and solicitors. Nonetheless, it's important to note that the process will require a certain amount of time to complete. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide to explain how much time will be sufficient to purchase a house in London.

Search for an ideal home

When you begin searching for the perfect home, it usually takes 1 to 4 months to find one. This is the first and most important step in buying a home.

It's important to take your time selecting the house you want to buy because once you've made the deal, you won't be able to back out. 

It's recommended that you view various properties that interest you and communicate your preferences to your estate agent. 

This will allow them to filter the properties on your behalf and save you time and energy so that you can focus on viewing only the properties that meet your criteria.

Read More: What is the value of my house

Mortgage period

To secure your mortgage, it can take up to a month. Beforehand, you must have an Agreement in Principle (AIP) showing the estate agent how committed you are to buying a home in London. 

The sole purpose of an AIP is to determine how much money the lender is willing to lend you to purchase your new home. Having an AIP before making an offer on a property is essential. 

Typically, an AIP is valid for three months, after which you'll need to renew it.

Bargaining phase

Once you have selected the house you wish to purchase and have obtained an AIP (Agreement in Principle), the next step is to make an offer. 

It's advisable to discuss this with your trusted advisors, who can offer their opinions and help you make the best offer. When making an offer, ensure that you include all the necessary details and explain why you are offering less than the asking price. This will help your proposal appear more convincing. 

Remember that there is an equal chance of your offer being approved or rejected, and the selling party may try to negotiate with you. 

In both cases, it's crucial to remain calm and take time to consider your options before making any final decisions. 

Remember that you will also have to incur costs such as taxes, solicitor fees, and estate agent fees, so it's important to agree on an offer you can afford without taking on too much debt.

Conveyancing process

When purchasing a property, hiring a solicitor is important to help you complete the legal process. The solicitor or conveyancer plays a crucial role in ensuring the process is smooth, and all legal requirements are met. 

Once you finalise the deal with the seller party, you should hire a solicitor to help you with the legal process. Before hiring a solicitor, it's important to check their profile and reviews and discuss the final fees of their services. This will ensure that you understand their expertise and experience and that you are comfortable with the fees they charge. 

The conveyancer deals with all the paperwork and works on your behalf in the process. They will work to ensure that the property is legally transferred to you and that all legal requirements are met. 

The conveyancing process can take up to three months, depending on various factors. During this time, survey reports will be considered, contracts will be prepared and signed by both parties, and the availability of both parties will also be taken into account. 

It's worth noting that the conveyancing process can be more complicated for leasehold properties. This can lead to additional legal requirements and fees. 

Discussing these issues with your solicitor to ensure you fully understand the process and any potential challenges is important.

Contract exchange 

After completing the conveyancing process, the final step is to obtain a comprehensive survey of your property and exchange contracts. 

The entire process typically takes up to two weeks.

Once you have exchanged contracts, the property officially becomes yours, and you can move in immediately. However, it's important to remember to pay all necessary fees, including the solicitor's, estate agent's, and stamp duty.

Wrapping Up!

To sum up the whole discussion, buying a house in London will depend on your preferences, location, and legal requirements. Based on the estimates we've discussed, it may take up to 5-7 months to complete the process. However, the speed at which you can purchase a home is influenced by your choice of estate agent. Cribs Estates is the perfect solution for all your home buying and selling needs if you're still looking for a trustworthy agent. With 30 years of experience and a team of professionals, we have the expertise to guide you through the process. To schedule an appointment, please call us at +44 2034 4115 71 or email us at info@cribsestates.co.uk.