Are you looking to move house? There are a few things you will need to consider before you put your house on the market. I've shared a home movers checklist to help you prepare.
If you haven't yet put your house on the market, recent reports are showing stable growth for UK house prices (June 2025). The average house price in the West Midlands is currently £250,000 (Gov.uk) with annual growth at 7.8%. Across the UK, the average rise is 1.6% compared to the same time last year and the highest number of sales for 4 years (Zoopla).
The Bank of England recently cut the base rate of interest from 4.5% to 4.25%. As a result, mortgages have become more affordable for home movers with major lenders offering attractive rates for fixed rate mortgages.
According to Zoopla, the average time from accepting an offer to moving in is currently between three to six months. Certain factors can cause delays, including the length of the property chain and any issues arising from the conveyancing process.
Before you make an offer on a property, it's useful to get a mortgage agreement in principle. Not only will this confirm the amount you can borrow from the lender, but it'll also speed up the process once your offer is accepted. Having a mortgage in principle puts you in a much stronger position to make an offer.
If you haven't moved house in a while, then there's a few things to remember once a sale price has been agreed. You will need to book a surveyor to carry out a RICS Home Survey on the property you are looking to buy. There are various levels of survey, although Level 2 and Level 3 are usually the most popular options.
Next, you will need to instruct a regulated conveyancer, ideally within a fortnight of agreeing a sale, who will carry out a series of property searches. Typically, these include local authority searches relating to planning permissions and restrictions, water, environmental, and area-based searches. They will also check the legal title of a property through the Land Registry to ensure that the property is legally marketable.
There are various fees and disbursements that you have to pay, and your conveyancer might ask for money upfront to cover the property searches. Stamp Duty Land Tax might also have to be paid when you buy a property. The nil-rate threshold for Stamp Duty is £125,000 for homeowners and £300,000 for first-time buyers. If you are buying a second property, you will pay an extra surcharge of 5%.
When the conveyancing process is complete, there will be an exchange of contracts, which is when the sale becomes legally binding. Completion is the final stage when all transactions have been made, and property ownership is transferred. This is when you can finally pick up the keys to your new home and move in.
Whether you're an existing homeowner or a first-time buyer, it's important to choose the right mortgage for your needs. Mortgage lenders will check your affordability before they offer you a deal, including your income and credit history.
If you need a mortgage agreement in principle, I'm here to help. With access to over 90 lenders, I'll explain your options and guide you through the entire homebuying process.
Looking to move house and need a mortgage? Book a call today
YOUR PROPERTY MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-house-price-index-for-march-2025
https://www.zoopla.co.uk/discover/property-news/house-price-index/
https://www.comparemymove.com/guides/buying-a-home/how-long-to-move-house
https://www.gov.uk/stamp-duty-land-tax/residential-property-rates