The move process
Buying and selling simultaneously
Buying and selling at the same time is the most common situation for home movers, and potentially the most complex. You’ll need to coordinate the sale of your existing home with the purchase of your new one, ideally completing on the same day to avoid a gap in ownership (and the costs that come with it).
This is where good advice pays dividends. We work with you and your solicitor to time everything properly, and we can access deals that give you flexibility on completion dates. With a whole of market search, we also ensure your new mortgage is in place when you need it, not delayed by lender backlogs.
- Whole-of-market mortgage search
- Flexible completion date products
- Coordination with your conveyancer
- Agreement in Principle within hours
- Managed from first call to completion
- Free, no obligation consultation
Your existing mortgage
Porting your mortgage vs new mortgage
When you move home, you have a choice: “port” your existing mortgage deal to the new property, or take out a completely new mortgage. Both options have their place, and the right answer depends on your rate, your new loan size, and what the wider market offers.
Porting
If you’re on a competitive fixed rate and want to avoid early repayment charges, porting transfers your existing rate to the new property. You’ll need to reapply (subject to lender criteria), and any additional borrowing sits on a separate rate. Good if your current deal is better than today’s market.
New Mortgage
If your current rate is uncompetitive, or you’re borrowing significantly more than your existing balance, a fresh mortgage can deliver substantial savings. We search the whole market to find the best deal for your new circumstances, potentially with a different lender entirely.
We run both scenarios for you and advise on the best path, taking into account any early repayment charges on your existing deal.
Managing complexity
Chain management, keeping your move on track
Property chains, where your sale depends on your buyer’s sale, and your purchase depends on your seller’s onward move, are one of the most common reasons moves fall through. A chain break anywhere can collapse the whole transaction.
While no broker can control other parties in a chain, there are things we can do to minimise your risk and maximise flexibility:
- Move in ready Agreement in Principle
- Fast lender submissions to reduce delays
- Advice on bridging if chains break
- Communication with solicitors throughout
- Identify lenders with fast turnarounds
- Vendor and buyer chain awareness
Budgeting your move
Key costs to consider
Moving home involves more than just a deposit and mortgage payments. Make sure you’ve budgeted for all the costs involved:
Stamp Duty
Home movers pay standard SDLT rates (not first time buyer rates). Use our stamp duty calculator for an estimate. The threshold and rates can change, confirm with your solicitor.
Legal Fees
You’ll need a conveyancing solicitor for both the sale and purchase. Expect to pay £1,500-£3,000+ depending on the property values. Get quotes from multiple firms.
Moving Costs
Removal company quotes vary widely. Book early, especially for popular move dates. Factor in storage if there’s a gap between completion dates.
