There are several ways to sell your house in the UK. 

There are four main ways to sell your house: 

1. You can sell with an estate agent 

1. You can sell via property auction 

1. Or you can sell directly to a house-buying company. 

1. Sell it privately yourself 

Selling your home directly to a reputable, well-funded “cash house buying company” is the fastest way to sell your house. Most of these companies will make you a formal offer within 24 hours, and will be able to complete the purchase within as little as 2-3 weeks 

We can help you with all of these, yes including selling your home yourself. Contact us for further information. 

1. How do I start the process of buying a house?

The first step is to work out your budget and speak to a mortgage adviser or lender to get a mortgage agreement in principle. This helps you know what you can afford and shows sellers you’re serious.

2. Do I need a solicitor or conveyancer?

Yes. A solicitor or licensed conveyancer handles the legal side of buying a property, including searches, contracts, and liaising with the seller’s solicitor.

3. What is a mortgage in principle?

A mortgage in principle is a statement from a lender indicating how much they might lend you, based on a basic assessment. It helps when making offers.

4. How do I make an offer on a house?

Once you find a property you like, you make an offer through the estate agent. You can offer below, at, or above the asking price, depending on your circumstances and the market.

5. Do I need a survey?

While not mandatory, a property survey is highly recommended. It helps identify structural issues or problems that may affect the property’s value.

6. What are the additional costs involved in buying a property?

Common additional costs include:

• Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)

• Solicitor/conveyancing fees

• Survey fees

• Mortgage fees

• Removal/relocation costs

7. What is Stamp Duty and how much will I pay?

Stamp Duty is a tax on property purchases over a certain price. The rate depends on the property’s value and whether you’re a first-time buyer. You can check rates on the HMRC website.

8. How long does the buying process take?

On average, 8 to 12 weeks from offer to completion, but this can vary depending on the chain and legal checks.

9. What is ‘exchange’ and ‘completion’?

• Exchange of contracts is when both parties sign and legally commit to the sale.

• Completion is the day ownership transfers to you and you get the keys.

10. Can I withdraw after making an offer?

Yes, until exchange of contracts, the agreement is not legally binding, and either party can withdraw without penalty.

11. What is a property chain?

A chain involves multiple linked property transactions. If one sale or purchase in the chain falls through, it can delay or stop others.

12. Do I need buildings insurance?

Yes. You must have buildings insurance in place from the date of exchange, as you’re legally responsible for the property from that point.

13. Can foreign nationals buy property in the UK?

Yes, there are no restrictions on foreign nationals buying UK property, but obtaining a mortgage might be more complex.

✅ 1. Financial Preparation

• Check your credit score

• Set a realistic budget (consider monthly repayments, bills, and living costs)

• Save for a deposit (usually 5–20% of the property price)

• Budget for extra costs:

  • Solicitor fees

  • Survey costs

  • Stamp Duty (if applicable)

  • Mortgage fees

  • Moving costs

🏦 2. Mortgage & Legal Setup

• Get a Mortgage Agreement in Principle (AIP)

• Choose a solicitor or conveyancer

• Explore government schemes (e.g. Lifetime ISA, Shared Ownership, First Homes)

🔍 3. House Hunting

• Register with estate agents & property websites

• Research areas and amenities

• Attend viewings (check for damp, cracks, noise, parking, etc.)

• Ask questions (leasehold/freehold, council tax band, etc.)

📄 4. Making an Offer

• Make your offer through the estate agent

• Negotiate if needed

• Have your offer accepted in writing

🧾 5. Surveys & Checks

• Instruct your solicitor/conveyancer

• Arrange a property survey (Level 2 or 3 recommended)

• Conduct legal searches (via solicitor)

• Finalise your mortgage application

🖊️ 6. Exchange & Completion

• Review and sign contracts

• Pay the deposit (usually 10%)

• Exchange contracts – sale is now legally binding

• Set a completion date

• Transfer remaining funds

• Receive keys and move in!

🏠 7. After You Move In

• Set up utilities and council tax

• Change your address (banks, GP, DVLA, etc.)

• Consider home insurance (if not already in place)

• Plan and enjoy your new home!

🏠 1. RICS Level 1 Survey (Condition Report)

Best for: New-builds or modern properties in good condition.
What it covers:

• The property’s overall condition

• Identifies urgent issues or risks

• Clear traffic-light condition ratings (green, amber, red)

What it doesn’t include:

• Valuation

• Detailed advice or investigation

• Repairs or maintenance suggestions

✅ Quick and budget-friendly, but quite basic.

🏚️ 2. RICS Level 2 Survey (HomeBuyer Report)

Best for: Conventional properties in reasonable condition.
What it covers:

• All of Level 1 features

• Issues that could affect the property’s value

• Damp, subsidence, and other common defects

• Advice on repairs and ongoing maintenance

• Optional: market valuation and insurance rebuild cost

🔍 Most popular choice among buyers.

🏡 3. RICS Level 3 Survey (Building Survey / Full Structural Survey)

Best for: Older, larger, listed, or heavily altered properties – or if you’re planning major renovations.
What it covers:

• A thorough inspection of the building’s structure and condition

• Roofs, walls, floors, windows, drainage, and more

• Hidden defects and potential future problems

• Detailed advice on repairs, maintenance, and estimated costs

📋 Most comprehensive and detailed – ideal for peace of mind on complex purchases.

Yes, we are members of the Ombudsman scheme for estate agents for both sales and lettings. When you register to buy a property with Edward Hurn you can be confident that you are choosing an estate agent with the highest levels of customer service and professional standards.

No. We currently sell around 20% of our properties before they go to the open market, so it’s always best to register with us over the phone or via email, so that we can learn about your particular requirements and tell you about our latest properties before they hit the market. We also work closely with other leading estate agencies in central london and can often access off market property’s

This privacy policy sets out how our agent uses and protects any information that you give when you use this website.

we are committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement. more..

We are committed to providing a professional service to all our clients and customers.  When something goes wrong, we need you to tell us about it.  This will help us to improve our standards. Details of the complaints procedure can be found here:

The Ombudsman’s resolutions are designed to achieve a full and final settlement of the dispute and all claims made by either party. The Ombudsman can, where appropriate, make compensatory awards in individual cases up to a maximum of £25,000 for actual and quantifiable loss and/or for aggravation, distress and/or inconvenience caused by the actions of an agent. https://www.tpos.co.uk/

StreetCheck pulls together in-depth information about property and people across the United Kingdom. We show you everything you need to know about your area, whether you are looking to buy, rent or are just being nosy! Best of all, our service is completely free – just enter a postcode above to find your information.

StreetCheck gets information from a variety of official government databases, including census information and Land Registry data. We then filter this data and extract the key statistics to help you with your house-hunting. Here at StreetCheck, we are constantly adding new information, and currently offer information on housing types, social grade, gender, marital status, health, employment data, and broadband availability, with more information being added daily. Click here for direct link

Houzz is the new way to design your home. Browse 20 million interior design photos, home decor, decorating ideas and home professionals online. Link

• Reduce the risk of sales falling through from 33% to 3%
• A Law Society Licensed Service Provider