Buying and Selling Guide

Buying & Selling Property with Confidence: Your Complete Guide

At Moores, we know that buying or selling a home isn’t just a transaction — it’s a major life moment. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, upsizing for more room, or letting go of a place full of memories, we’re here to guide you through it all. Below you’ll find practical advice, real-world insights, and a clear breakdown of every step.

Buying a Home — Step by Step

Buying a home is exciting, but it can feel overwhelming if you’re not sure what to expect. Here’s how the process usually works, and how we can help at every stage:

1. Get Financially Prepared

Start by getting a clear picture of what you can afford. Speak to a mortgage broker or adviser to find out how much you can borrow, and don’t forget about extra costs like:
Stamp duty (if applicable)

Legal fees
Surveys
Moving costs
A “mortgage in principle”

(sometimes called an AIP or DIP) shows sellers you’re a serious buyer.

We can help you here. We work with https://lkfinancial.co.uk/team/ who are independent mortgage advisors with access to the whole of the mortgage market.

2. Begin Your Search

Once your budget is set, start looking at properties online, in local agent windows, or in person with our team. Make a list of your priorities:

Do you need good schools nearby?
Want a big garden or off-road parking?
Prefer countryside views or a short walk to the high street?

Let us know what matters most — we know the villages and local areas inside out. We can help with recommending areas with great school, travel links and community aspects.

3. View Properties in Person

Photos are a great starting point, but nothing beats seeing a place with your own eyes. We’ll arrange viewings at times to suit you and our Vendors, 7 days a week.

4. Make an Offer

Found the one? We’ll guide you through making a competitive offer and liaise with the seller.

5. Instruct a Conveyancer

Once your offer is accepted, it’s time to get the legal ball rolling. You’ll need a solicitor or conveyancer to:

Carry out local authority searches
Check the contract
Liaise with the seller’s legal team
Handle the money when you’re ready to complete

We work with a number of trusted firms and can assist with finding you the best conveyancer for you.

6. Arrange a Survey

There are different levels of surveys, from basic mortgage valuations to full structural reports. We’ll help you choose the right one for the property you’re buying and your peace of mind.

7. Exchange Contracts

After all the legal checks are done and your finances are ready, both sides sign contracts. This is when your purchase becomes legally binding. You’ll also set your moving (completion) date.

8. Completion Day

Funds are transferred, keys are handed over, and the house is officially yours. Time to celebrate — and maybe order a takeaway before unpacking!

Selling Your Home — From Valuation to Completion

Selling a property can feel like a juggling act, especially if you’re buying at the same time. But with the right support and a clear plan, it doesn’t have to be stressful.

1. Get a Market Valuation

We’ll visit your home to assess its current market value and suggest a realistic asking price. We’ll talk through:

What similar homes nearby have sold for
How we’ll market your property
Any small improvements that could boost appeal

This is free and no-obligation — just helpful advice. Our aim is always to sell you home for the best possible price in a timescale to suit you.

2. Prepare for Viewings

Presentation matters. A clean, tidy, and welcoming home can really influence buyers. We’ll offer tips on:

Decluttering
Lighting and layout
Minor repairs that can make a big difference

Professional photos and floorplans come next.

3. Ready to Market

Tailored Marketing Approach:
We understand that every property and homeowner’s needs are unique.

However, based on our experience, the following step-by-step approach works best for most vendors:

Step 1: Off-Market Introduction We check our database and identify proceedable buyers actively seeking properties like yours. We introduce these buyers discreetly – without the need for a For Sale board, press, or internet advertising. To support this, most buyers prefer a floor plan and a few external/internal photographs, particularly those traveling from further afield.

Step 2: Discreet Online Listing To attract buyers not already registered with us, we can market your property discreetly on national property websites, providing limited images and minimal details. This step can also include a listing on mooresestateagents.com and countryequestrianhomes.com.

Step 3: Full Marketing Strategy For maximum exposure, we can implement a full marketing campaign, including:

Listings on Rightmove, OnTheMarket.com, and other national property portals
A For Sale board
Inclusion in our exclusive Property Road shows across Essex, Hertfordshire, North London, and Kings Cross, targeting relocating buyers

For more detailed information about how we’ll market your property please see our guide to marketing your property here.

4. Manage Viewings & Offers

We handle all enquiries and viewings, keeping you in the loop the whole way. When offers come in, we’ll give you clear advice — not just about price, but about each buyer’s position (e.g. are they chain-free? Mortgage approved?).

5. Accepting an Offer

Once you’re happy with an offer, the buyer’s solicitor will get started. We’ll stay in touch with everyone to keep things moving and chase up where needed.
The national average of house sales that fall through is 1:4. With Moores its 1:9 so you have nearly twice the chance of a first completion with Moores.

6. Your Legal Team Takes Over

You’ll need your own solicitor or conveyancer to deal with the paperwork, provide key documents, and respond to the buyer’s questions. Again, we can suggest local firms we trust.

7. Exchanging Contracts

When all the legal work is complete, you and the buyer will sign contracts and agree on a completion date. At this point, everything is legally binding.

8. Completion & Moving Out

On the agreed day, you hand over the keys (usually via us or your solicitor), and the buyer becomes the new owner. Congratulations — that’s the sale complete!

Need Some Guidance?

Whether you’re navigating the buying process for the first time or looking to sell a home you’ve loved for years, we’re here to help. Our local knowledge, personal service, and straightforward advice make all the difference.

Want to put a face to the name? Visit our Meet the Team page — you’ll find interviews, photos, and a few fun facts about our fantastic team.