How long does buying a house take?

Commonly two to four months from offer accepted to completion, though chains, leasehold properties and slow searches can extend it well beyond that. The mortgage is rarely the slowest part.

What is an agreement in principle?

An indicative confirmation from a lender of what it would likely lend, based on a soft check. It is not a guarantee, but estate agents often want to see one before taking an offer seriously.

When am I legally committed?

At exchange of contracts. Before that either side can withdraw. After it, pulling out usually means losing your deposit and facing further liability.

Do I need a survey if the lender does a valuation?

The lender valuation is for the lender, confirming the property is worth what it is lending against — it is not a survey of condition. A homebuyer report or building survey is a separate, and usually worthwhile, expense.

The Home Buying Process, Step by Step

Written and reviewed by Lewis MaxwellLast updated 27 August 2026

Buying a home is a sequence of steps that mostly happen in order, run by people who are not talking to each other. Knowing what comes next is the difference between a purchase that moves and one that stalls.

1. Work out what you can borrow

Before viewing anything. Our borrowing guide explains how lenders assess it. Offering on a property you cannot finance wastes weeks and goodwill.

2. Get an agreement in principle

Usually issued within a day on a soft credit check. Most agents want to see one before they will put an offer to a seller.

3. Offer accepted

Nothing is binding yet. Instruct a conveyancer promptly — slow legal work is the most common cause of a purchase dragging.

4. Full mortgage application

Documents, credit checks and the lender valuation. Two to six weeks to a formal offer is typical. Respond to document requests the same day where you can — this stage stalls on waiting far more often than on decisions.

5. Searches and enquiries

Your conveyancer raises local authority, environmental and drainage searches, and asks the seller questions. Turnaround varies enormously by council. Leasehold adds a further layer, and management packs are frequently the single slowest item in a purchase.

6. Survey

Separate from the lender valuation and for your benefit rather than theirs. A homebuyer report suits most standard properties; older or unusual buildings justify a full building survey.

7. Exchange of contracts

The point of legal commitment. Your deposit is transferred and a completion date is fixed. Buildings insurance must be in place from exchange, not completion — this is regularly overlooked.

8. Completion

Funds move, the keys are released, and the property is yours. Your conveyancer handles registration and any stamp duty afterwards.

Where purchases usually stall

Chains — you move at the speed of the slowest party
Leasehold management packs
Slow local authority searches
Documents not returned promptly to the lender
Valuations coming in below the agreed price

It is also the right moment to think about protecting the mortgage — cover should ideally be in place from exchange, when you become legally committed.

Get connected with an adviser

Enter your details and a qualified adviser will call you back — no obligation, no credit impact.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

How Much Can I Borrow for a Mortgage?
Income multiples are only the starting point. How lenders actually assess affordability — commitments, stress tests, and why two lenders offer very different amounts on identical figures.
The Mortgage Deposit Guide
How much you need, why the loan-to-value tiers matter more than the total, gifted deposits, and where deposit money is allowed to come from.
The Self-Employed Mortgage Guide
Sole trader, director or contractor — lenders read each one differently. What counts as income, what paperwork you need, and how to plan ahead.