The Buying Process

The Buying Process
We know and understand purchasing a home is a big deal.  As with any significant financial commitment, it can be daunting, especially if you are a first-time buyer.

With this in mind, we have compiled a step by step guide to the buying process to help you see the big picture. However, remember that your solicitor and your estate agent are always there to talk the process through with you and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

As a prospective buyer:

  1. Start by determining your budget
    You need to be realistic about the budget you can afford to spend on your dream home. Consider monthly mortgage payments, deposit, fees and stamp duty. You should even consider what would happen in the event of interest rates rising or a change in your financial situation.
  1. Seek mortgage and financial advice
    When it comes to getting a mortgage sorted, there’s no such thing as too early. Find out your options at the start of the process – before you’ve even looked at properties. That way you will be equipped with more knowledge of your price range and will have begun a time-consuming process in good time. You can get mortgage advice from an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA), mortgage broker or lender.
  1. Find your new dream home
    This is the fun bit. Enjoy browsing and remember to keep us informed of any properties you like and give us an idea of the kind of home you’re looking for.
  1. Make an offer
    When you see your dream home, you’ll just know. It’s time to make an offer through the estate agent. The buyer doesn’t pay for this service, the seller does.
  1. Once your offer is accepted, inform your solicitor
    Your solicitor will be the one to manage the legal side of the purchase. This includes handling enquiries to the local authority to check whether there are any planning or local issues that might affect the property’s value.
  1. Apply for your mortgage
    This needs to be arranged as soon as your offer is accepted.
  1. Arrange a survey
    This is an important step that should be arranged asap, either independently or through your mortgage provider. Through the survey you will learn all about the condition of the property and can plan for any possible repair costs.
  1. Liaise regularly with your solicitor and estate agent
    Communication is important key at this sometimes stressful stage in the buying process. Keeping everyone regularly informed will ensure a smooth transaction.
  1. Exchange contracts and pay your deposit
    Upon completion of the legal work and the mortgage offer has been made (if applicable) then the purchase is underway. You will need to sign the contract and pay a deposit. A date for completion is fixed when the balance of the purchase price is paid.

CONGRATULATIONS! The sale is complete, and you own your dream home!

What Our Customers Say

  • Lettings | “I recently had a house to let out and my point of contact at H&H Land and Estates was Sarah Gemmell. Right from the start I felt comfortable and happy with Sarah looking after the letting. Everything was made easy and understandable. I felt safe in the knowledge that she was working on my behalf. Paperwork, emails and queries were dealt with quickly and I was never left wondering how things were progressing. My new tenants are due to move in during the next few days and the letting process has been stress free. I would have no hesitation in recommending H&H Land and Estates to anyone. Thank you for all your help."

    Christine Whitfield

    15th September 2021

  • Lettings | Thanks for sorting this out, you made this so straight forward from the beginning, especially with me being nearly 300 miles away. I won’t hesitate to contact H&H again based upon my experiences with you and your team.

    Trevor Jacobs

    7th September 2021

  • Lettings | The whole experience of letting of my property with yourself was excellent professional and efficient. I would highly recommend your services.

    Janet Nicholson

    6th September 2021

  • We have been very impressed with H and H’s performance relating to the reletting of the Coach House at Great Salkeld. You have met all of the challenges that COVID has thrown at you superbly and still managed to deliver a professional and very efficient service whilst maintaining the personal touch – I would not hesitate in recommending you to anyone wishing to let a property in the area. Many thanks – we look forward to working with you and your team in the future

    J. H.

    30th July 2021

  • Lettings | I think the process has been handled in a very prompt, timely and professional way. Particularly as this isn’t an area of work I have handled very much. Your guiding hand has helped me enormously!

    Karen N

    9th July 2021

  • Lettings | The experience has been good – smooth and without any issues. Having the full range of services like the insurance broker was definitely one of the key reasons we chose you and it worked out very well. Thanks for all your help – you have made it work well and an easy process.

    Nigel W

    9th July 2021

  • Residential Sale | With the house sale completed, ( in record time!) I want to say thanks to you and all your team who did an outstanding job for us. Right from the word go you filled us with confidence that you knew the market and gave us a realistic appraisal of what the house was worth and how quickly it would sell. We felt in very safe hands from the outset. Please pass on our thanks to all of your colleagues who looked after us so well, the virtual viewing was a great idea and worked very well and it was such a relief to us that you were able to deal with all the viewings which made the sale much simpler and easier for us. Thanks and I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending you to anyone we know who is looking for an estate agent.

    A. J.

    5th July 2021

  • Lettings | We have been very pleased with H&H's property management and letting service. Our property manager is professional, responsive and lovely to work with. Our house has been marketed very effectively to quality tenants, and we have been very impressed with the way that H&H's staff have gone out of their way to ensure that everyone is happy - the outgoing and incoming tenants, and us as property owners. We look forward to working with Sarah and the team for years to come.

    G & P

    5th July 2021

  • I’ve just called into your office to give praise to Sue (one of your house viewers) – what a lovely lady! She is an asset to your company.

    Lynne Smith

    30th June 2021

  • Lettings | We wish to thank you for guiding us through everything relating to our first rental in a professional and supportive manner. You exceeded all our expectations regarding our let and we would have no hesitation in recommending you to friends and family who are considering taking the plunge into rental. Many thanks for everything .

    Elsie and Emma

    16th June 2021

  • Thank you for your confirmatory email, and to all at the office for being helpful, especially Tessa who had a flood of emails from me! I am sure so much work for one property let must be frustrating when you are busy but everyone I have spoken to has always been patient, friendly and very helpful!

    Jane Corbett

    16th April 2021

  • Purchase | The service Sharon provided was excellent, always approachable and calming. We felt that the sale of the house was in good hands and you were always ready to explain things that we didn't understand. We would definitely recommend you to our friends and thank you for your excellent service. We are still in our caravan but we hope to be moving to our new place very soon.

    Catherine and Barry

    9th April 2021

  • Sales | Following the successful completion of the sale of my father’s house in Cartmel, I want to take this opportunity to express my thanks to Michaela and all the team at the Grange branch for their exceptional help during what has been a very difficult time. Right from our first meeting I had complete confidence in the team. Following my father’s death and the start of lockdown, coupled with my own health scare selling a house remotely could have been a nightmare; but difficult though it was I always knew that the team were there and would when needed go well beyond what is usually expected. I felt lucky to have them and fully appreciate the quality of service being provided despite difficult circumstances. If asked I would always recommend H&H.

    Kate G

    5th April 2021

  • Sales | I’ve just completed two building plot sales with yourselves in Grange. It’s been a long haul but got there in the end. I know people always want to complain but in this instance I want to do the opposite and can’t praise Michaela enough. She’s been great especially in these difficult times. She’s now on the look out for a renovation project for me! Thank you

    Marilyn Moore

    9th April 2021

  • Sales | “From the first visit to value the property through to completion of the sale the staff of H&H Land & Estates showed a clear understanding of our needs and worked efficiently and conscientiously to meet those needs. They were always available for viewings if required and provided prompt feedback on viewings. They built up good relationships with potential buyers which proved invaluable in finally completing our sale.”

    Mr Ashworth

    30th March 2021

  • Sales | H&H Land & Estates, Penrith have been excellent to deal with and we can't praise them highly enough! This is the second house in 5 years that we have sold locally and having had experience of other estate agents in Penrith H&H are by far the best in the area and are 'THE' Estate Agents to go to! We have found them to be very professional - they always get back to you by phone or email if you have a query. All the staff are lovely and extremely helpful. We have found that they go above and beyond when dealing with anything and working out of office hours has to be commended. Plus, they don't harass you just to get a sale and they do look after you! They also have a key position on the high street for advertising your property. We can't thank them enough!”

    Mr & Mrs Earley

    28th February 2021

  • Sale | I want to thank Helen Forbes for persistence and your attention to detail and diplomatic handling of the sale throughout. I never thought I would be heaping praise onto an Estate Agent but you truly deserve it With all best wishes Alison

    Alison Young

    18th January 2021

  • Land Agency Advice | I just wanted to put ‘pen to paper‘ to give you some feedback about Robert Jauneika (Durham office) who was recommended to me by Martyn Hunter of JW Woods. I contacted Robert for advice and to do some work for me relating to a parcel of land I was selling ( now sold subject to buyer getting planning permission). I would like to say that Robert has been extremely professional, prompt, efficient, knowledgeable, a great communicator, patient and pleasant throughout all our communications. In fact I have worked with many people both in my professional and private life and have yet to come across anyone as good as Robert.

    Carolyn Hough

    16th November 2020

  • We would just like to compliment you on your fantastic team in the Grange office. Last December with Jill's expertise we found just the right tenant for a small cottage we own. Jill was so professional and nice to deal with which is almost unquantifiable and we feel praise should be given where praise is due. We are about to successfully complete the sale of our second cottage with the help of Michaela in particular who directed our purchasers to us in the first couple of days it was advertised and has also been extraordinarily helpful and professional. We have nothing but praise for the team and your company and H & H will always be highly recommended by us.

    Rita and Colin Denby

    8th November 2020

  • Helen Forbes of the Durham office has been really solid during the sale of our home!

    Alison

    23rd October 2020

  • Lettings | Excellent service right from day one, with an amazing team who really will go above and beyond (working hours for certain) to help ensure that their customers (prospective or otherwise) get the very best in advice and support. A genuinely good and reliable business.

    John Barnes

    16th September 2020

  • Sales | I’m writing to say how grateful we are for all your help in the purchase of our new house in Keswick. We really enjoyed working with you and intend to put our current home on the market shortly with H&H, which will be entirely because of our dealings with you. We found your communication invaluable and felt informed at every stage of the house buying process. You demonstrated both integrity and honesty in all your dealings with us, and as a result we felt very confident in putting our trust in you. You gave a very positive, professional and friendly demonstration of how the job of an estate agent should be done. Thanks once again.

    K & P Mullarkey

    8th September 2020

  • Sales | Sally and the team at H&H Cockermouth made what seemed a very stressful first time purchase during COVID-19 much easier. She was on hand to answer all of our questions, however small or obvious in a clear and supportive way. Elements beyond anyone’s control meant that the process was not smooth for us but Sally was reassuring and very patient with us. Thank you Sally and the H&H Team :)

    Ryan Tingley

    28th August 2020

  • Andrew and team at H&H were amazing. I sold my house through H&H we were about to close and then corona hit. It was unprecedented. The other thing that was unprecedented was the support and guidance that Andrew and his team offered us. He was always available and actively invested in helping us to complete our sale. Andrew and his team were professional yet friendly. We had been with another local estate agent for a month previously and the difference was huge. Most importantly we felt like people and not just a client. Thank you Andrew and your team. When I come to sell again you are top of my list.

    Paul Whittam

    26th August 2020

  • Sales | I am writing following the successful completion of the sale of my father’s house in Cartmel. I want to take this opportunity to express my thanks to Michaela and all the Grange team for their exceptional help during a very difficult time. From our first meeting I had complete confidence in the team. Following my father’s death plus lockdown, selling a house remotely could have been a nightmare; but difficult though it was I always knew that the team were there and went well beyond what is usually expected. I felt lucky to have them; I hope, but am sure that you fully appreciate the quality of service being provided despite difficult circumstances. I would always recommend H&H Land & Estates.

    Kate Gee

    20th August 2020

  • Lettings | We have used H&H Land & Estates since 2005 to manage our rental property. Everyone we have dealt with has made us feel confident in their knowledge and ability, offering expert guidance where needed. Recently we had to deal with some challenging issues and Jenna Nixon was nothing short of superb. Always returning calls promptly, offering expert advice which was very reassuring. We would never rent out a property without the help of a managing agent and they don’t come better than H&H Land & Estates. I fully recommend them. When we sell the property, we will engage their sales department for these same reasons. Expert, friendly staff with a wealth of knowledge on the local area and markets.

    Judith Rowe

    20th August 2020

  • Sales | Having had my property on the market with yourselves, shortly due to complete, I would just like to compliment the staff who work in Lowther Street. From my first dealings with the valuer who appraised my property to telephone calls with the staff in the office, I have received nothing but excellent service and I would like to thank them all for that. My biggest thanks must go to Gillian, who has helped me from start to finish, going beyond expectations to help me. I cannot thank her enough for all she has done for me and felt I must let you know what a valuable member of staff you have; her enthusiasm and humour along with her professional service has made my experience of selling my property very pleasant and for that I am very grateful. Many Thanks

    Jean Hill

    19th August 2020

  • Farm Sale | We would like to show our appreciation for everything Shirley did in the preparation and presentation of the (now successful) sale of the farm and we are sending you a small gift by way of our personal thanks. Thank you and best wishes to you The Hill Family

    Hill Family

    18th August 2020

  • Development | Although we thought this day would come sometimes miracles do actually happen! Anyway to say I am relieved and pleased is an understatement - a situation which ruled our lives for so long can now officially be put to bed. Can I take this opportunity of sincerely thanking Richard - his support is much appreciated. Also, can I please thank David for his stalwart endeavours over such a long period of time as his patience was truly amazing. Once again my sincere thanks.

    Lynn Buddles

    18th August 2020

  • Sales | Thank you for being helpful with my sale of Little Burnholme and a BIG thank you for being you. Kindest Regards Margaret

    Margaret

    17th August 2020

  • Lettings | We recently rented a property through H&H Land & Estates. Jenna was amazing and very professional throughout. From the first viewing through to after we had moved in, Jenna and the team were on hand every step of the way. First class service.

    Clare Everglades

    17th August 2020

  • Land Management | H&H Land & Estates manage our land holding portfolio nationwide. We trust them with their judgement and appreciate their advice at all times.

    Bellway Homes Ltd

    16th August 2020

  • I have been with H&H for over twenty years and latterly working with Tracey Jackson. I am very satisfied with their work.

    Mr Sheffield

    6th July 2020

  • Over the past few months, I’ve been dealing with Jenna to sort out some issues with a tenant that left and to find a new tenant for my property. You’ve been the managing agent for my flat since 2005 and the service that Jenna has given me recently has been nothing short of superb. She has promptly answered questions, given me reassurance and generally been a godsend over a fairly stressful time. You have a tremendous asset in Jenna.

    J Rowe

    25th February 2020

  • Thomas, Shirley & Alan, we would like to show you our appreciation for everything you did in the preparation and sale of the (now successful) sale of the farm. Thank you.

    The Hill Family

    1st November 2019

  • Nothing but praise for the service offered by Andrew and Kathy at H&H King, Penrith. They really put themselves out, not only to ensure that we sold our house but also to find us a house that suited our requirements in the right area. We have no doubts that they are worthy of a 5* rating. N&T

    Neil McGeown

    1st October 2019

  • Friendly and professional service at all times. Great service. Tracey is fabulous.

    Saiorse Cosgrove

    10th September 2019

  • Excellent service from valuation through to completion. Very friendly staff and extremely professional. Thank you very much Andrew and Kathy in the Penrith office for your help. Can’t praise them enough.

    J Carver

    13th September 2019

  • Personal, professional and friendly, the team at H&H in Penrith truly give you five star treatment. They help you through all the issues which always arise when buying a property and give you peace of mind that everything is being dealt with. We would definitely recommend this great team and would use again in the future.

    Carol Edmondson

    15th September 2019

  • From my first dealings with the valuer who came out to look at my property and telephone dealings with the staff in the office, I have had nothing but excellent service and I would like to thank them all for that. My biggest thanks must go to Gillian, who has helped me all the way from start to finish, she has gone beyond my expectations and helped me in every way possible, her enthusiasm and humour along with her professional service has made my experience of selling my property a very pleasant experience and for that I am very grateful.

    J Hill

    21st August 2019

  • We found Andrew and Kathy to be extremely professional. They guided us through the whole process seamlessly. Cannot recommend H&H highly enough. Thank you.

    Rhona King

    28th February 2019

  • Thank you so much [Mike] for all your help with the Mid-Tier Application. I couldn't have possibly done it myself and it was such a relief to be able to hand it over to you.

    L. McArthur

    22nd August 2018

  • We are very pleased with the way you dealt with the Scroggs Wood programme. There seemed to be a number of difficulties, but you overcame all these problems and got the timber extracted in good time, and sold it well - we were delighted with the cheques we received. So we wish to thank you warmly for all your efforts, your expertise and your thoroughly professional approach.

    H. Summerson

    31st January 2020

  • I just wanted to put ‘pen to paper‘ to give you some feedback about Robert Jauneika (Durham office) who was recommended to me by Martyn Hunter of JW Woods. I contacted Robert for advice and to do some work for me relating to a parcel of land I was selling ( now sold subject to buyer getting planning permission). I would like to say that Robert has been extremely professional, prompt, efficient, knowledgeable, a great communicator, patient and pleasant throughout all our communications. In fact I have worked with many people both in my professional and private life and have yet to come across anyone as good as Robert.

    Carolyn Hough

    16th November 2020

  • Telecoms Mast Lease Renewal We will definitely recommend your services again. Your assistance has been excellent.

    Robin Moiser, Solicitor

    15th December 2020