Guides · by SettleIQ Research

Buying a home, with the sales in front of you.

Plain-English guides for buying a home in England: what to check, what to ask, and what the rules say, at each step from the first viewing to the keys.

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The whole route

Every stage in order, with what it costs and what to ask.

First-time buyer’s checklist: every step, in order.From mortgage in principle to the keys: what to do at each stage, what it costs, and what to ask before you commit.10 min read

Stage 01

Before you offer

Is the price backed by the sales, and is the home what it seems?

Worked example · Is it overpriced?The house looks overpriced. What should you offer?A listed end-terrace in Frome, asking £695,000, set against 25 sales of comparable homes nearby: how far the asking sits from the evidence, and what that means for an offer.6 min readRead the worked example

On the market for months: should you offer less?How to see how long it’s been listed, why homes sit, and what to ask before you offer.7 min read

A house that needs work: how much should you offer?The costs before you offer, the right survey, whether a lender will lend, and how to put a lower offer.8 min read

Leasehold vs freehold: why don’t the prices line up?What moves a leasehold price, why a flat can’t be judged against houses nearby, and what to check before you offer.4 min read

Flooding and noise: is the address at risk?Checking an address against the flood and noise maps before you offer, what insurance covers, and what to ask the seller.7 min read

Stage 02

Making the offer

Choosing your number and putting it to the agent.

How much should you offer on a house?What decides a sensible offer, why 10% under is the wrong place to start, and how to put your number to the agent.10 min read

“Offers over” or a guide price: how much should you offer?What offers over, guide prices and the other labels mean in England, and how to choose your number.9 min read

Asked for best and final?How to choose one sealed number you won’t regret, whether you win or lose, with a worked example.8 min read

Stage 03

After the offer

When the lender’s valuation doesn’t match the price.

Mortgage down-valued?Your four options when the lender’s valuation comes in low, the shortfall maths, and how to go back to the seller.5 min read

The end of the route

The keys.

Stuck on something we haven’t covered? Tell us at team@settleiq.co.uk and we may write the guide.

The next step

Have a home in mind? See it against the sales.

Every comparable sale named and dated, where the asking sits among them and a plan for your offer.

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