The UK Home Buying Guide — 8 steps

Before viewing anything, know your true budget: deposit + mortgage capacity + purchase costs (typically 3–6% extra, more for non-residents — see Costs & Taxes). UK sellers and agents will ask for proof of funds early. If your money is coming from Türkiye, prepare documentation showing the source (savings, property sale, business income). UK banks and solicitors are legally required to run anti-money-laundering (AML) checks — organised paperwork saves weeks.

If you need a mortgage, obtain a Decision in Principle from a lender or broker before house-hunting. It's a soft check showing what a lender would likely lend you, and agents take offers far more seriously with one. Visa holders can get UK mortgages — terms depend on visa type, time remaining, and deposit size (often 10–25%). Non-residents can also borrow from specialist and international lenders, usually with larger deposits (25%+). A whole-of-market broker is worth their fee.

Search on Rightmove, Zoopla and OnTheMarket. Understand the two ownership types:

• Freehold: you own the building and the land. Typical for houses.
• Leasehold: you own the right to live in the property for the remaining lease term (flats, typically). Check lease length (90+ years ideal), ground rent, and service charges — these affect both mortgage eligibility and resale value.

View in person where possible; if buying from Türkiye, we arrange accompanied or video viewings and neighbourhood reports.

Offers go through the estate agent (who works for the seller). Offers are not legally binding in England until exchange of contracts — either side can walk away, which surprises many Turkish buyers. Negotiate on evidence: sold prices of comparable homes, time on market, property condition.

Once your offer is accepted, appoint a conveyancing solicitor. They handle contracts, local authority searches, title checks, and money transfer. This is the longest phase — typically 6–12 weeks. Expect ID and source-of-funds checks here too. We help you choose a responsive solicitor and, crucially, explain every document they send you in plain Turkish or English.

The lender's valuation protects the bank, not you. Commission your own survey:

• Level 2 (HomeBuyer Report): standard for conventional homes in reasonable condition.
• Level 3 (Building Survey): for older, larger, or altered properties.

Survey findings are a legitimate basis to renegotiate the price.

When searches, survey, and mortgage offer are complete, both sides sign and exchange contracts. You pay the deposit (usually 10%) and the deal becomes legally binding. A completion date is fixed. Pulling out after exchange means losing your deposit — so this is the moment everything must already be checked.

On completion day, your solicitor transfers the balance, ownership passes to you, and you collect the keys. Afterwards the solicitor pays your Stamp Duty Land Tax (within 14 days) and registers you at HM Land Registry. Tebrikler — you're a UK homeowner. 🏡