BUYER FAQ'S

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Often a buyer is expected to pay 10% of a properties asking price as a deposit. That being said, your mortgage company may ask for a higher percentage.

If using a mortgage, your lender will arrange a valuation to confirm the property's worth, but this won’t assess its condition in detail. To avoid surprises, consider a full condition report from a chartered surveyor, as post-exchange issues won’t be the seller’s responsibility.

There’s no fixed timeline, but on average, contracts exchange within 8–12 weeks. Leasehold properties may take longer due to additional inquiries.

Before viewing properties, secure a mortgage in principle. This confirms your borrowing power and strengthens your position when making an offer.

If you find an issue before exchanging contracts, you can ask the seller to fix it, negotiate a price reduction, or withdraw from the purchase if no agreement is reached.

Either party can withdraw before exchanging contracts. After exchange, backing out constitutes a breach of contract, which allows the seller to retain your deposit.

When you book a valuation with us, we gather key details to conduct local market research before our visit. During the appointment, we assess your property inside and out, discuss relevant factors with you, and provide a verbal valuation if our research supports it. A written valuation will follow via email. If further analysis is needed, we may delay providing a price to ensure accuracy.

Our valuations are free of charge and come with no obligation!

If you're ready to list your property, we can take marketing photos, videos, and floorplan measurements during a valuation, or at a later date. To proceed, we’ll need copies of your ID, proof of address, and proof of ownership for compliance checks. Once the agency agreement is signed, it becomes legally binding.

To get your home market-ready, we provide a free market appraisal. Once professional photos, a floorplan, and a compelling description are created, your property goes live. We generate interest through viewings, open houses, and our extensive buyer database. When offers come in, we conduct financial checks and negotiate the best possible sale price. After an offer is accepted, mortgages are arranged, searches and surveys completed, and contracts exchanged. Finally, upon completion, ownership transfers, and the sale is officially closed. Throughout the process, our expert team keeps you informed and ensures a smooth transaction.

Whilst there is no exact science, our company aims to agree a property sale within the first four weeks.

This is one of our commonly asked FAQ’s, the industry average from offer acceptance to completion is approximately 12 weeks. However, we aim for an 8 to 10-week turnaround for freehold properties, if your property is leasehold - this could be longer. 

Yes, we can! We work alongside Yellowbrick Mortgages who would be more than happy to have a chat and see how they can help you! They can also introduce you to their recommended solicitors! Just let us know and we'll ping them your details to reach out!

Yes, you can definitely self-manage your rental property, but it requires time, effort, and knowledge. You’ll need to handle maintenance, rent collection, and stay on top of legal regulations. Being available for emergencies, managing repairs, and ensuring financial tracking are key responsibilities. While it can save money, it’s a lot of work, so if you're not up for the task, hiring a property management company could be a good option. But if you’re organised, have the time, and are willing to learn, it can be a rewarding experience!

When referencing tenants, we hire a third party referencing company, they will run a credit check, background check, and verify rental history to ensure they’re reliable and responsible. Confirm their employment and income to ensure they can afford the rent, and ask for references to gauge their character.  They will also verify their identification and cross check public databases. These steps will help you find trustworthy tenants and minimise potential issues down the line.

The Renters' Rights Bill is still awaiting royal assent, but we’re already ahead of the game! As a forward-thinking company, we’ve integrated these upcoming changes into our processes, so we’re fully prepared to comply with the new rules as soon as they’re law – no waiting around!

In the UK, landlords are legally required to protect tenants' security deposits in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme (TDS) within 30 days of receiving the deposit. There are three main TDS options: custodial, where the scheme holds the deposit, or insurance-based, where the landlord keeps the deposit but the scheme insures it. Tenants must be provided with prescribed information about the scheme, including how the deposit is protected, within 30 days. At the end of the tenancy, the deposit should be returned promptly unless there are disputes over damages or unpaid rent, in which case the landlord must provide an itemized list of deductions. If the landlord fails to protect the deposit or provide the necessary information, the tenant can take legal action, and the landlord may face penalties, including being unable to evict the tenant without following the correct legal procedures.

Ensure you have a strong rent and legal protection policy in place, especially with the upcoming renters' rights bill. Protect yourself from rent arrears and tenant breaches. Can you afford to cover your tenant’s costs while waiting for a court-ordered eviction? If not, rent and legal cover is essential to avoid footing the bill.

it signifies that the agent adheres to high professional standards and ethical practices. Propertymark is a leading industry body that sets strict guidelines for its members, ensuring they are qualified, regulated, and operate with integrity. This protection provides consumers with added security, as they know the agent is accountable and subject to disciplinary procedures if they fail to meet these standards. It also offers peace of mind that clients' money is safeguarded through client money protection schemes, reducing the risk of financial loss.

If you're feeling dissatisfied with your current managing agent, the first step is to raise your concerns directly with the company and follow their in-house complaints procedure. This gives them the chance to address the issue and try to resolve it. However, if after following this process you feel your complaint hasn't been resolved to your satisfaction, you can escalate the matter to their redress scheme, which will independently review your case. It's important to know that if your agent isn’t performing the tasks outlined in your contract, you have the option to change agents. We're here to support you through this process, and would be more than happy to discuss your situation, guide you through your options, and ensure you feel confident in the next steps moving forward. You're not alone, and we're here to help you make the best decision for your needs.

When establishing our company, we carefully reviewed the wide range of agents in the region and analysed their fee structures. What stood out to us was a common trend that we felt deeply uncomfortable with: bold claims of low fees, yet hidden, ambiguous charges for basic services that should have been included. It was frustrating and disheartening to see such practices. Rather than following suit, we decided to break the mold. We eliminated unnecessary complexities, streamlined our fees, and made a commitment to offering as much as possible for free—anything that isn’t a third-party cost to us. For any third-party charges, we promise to pass them on to our clients at their true, honest cost. This ensures that we can proudly say the only income we earn from you is our agreed service fees, with complete transparency and integrity.

We understand that as a new name in an established market, you may have concerns. However, our position as a micro-agent offers distinct advantages. Our adaptable policies and procedures allow us to respond quickly to changes in the legal landscape. Our size enables us to tailor services to meet individual client needs, with a strong focus on service excellence. We are proud to be Propertymark protected, ensuring we stay informed of sector changes and supported with ongoing training. Additionally, we've partnered with 'The Lettings Partnership' to securely manage our client accounting, ensuring timely payments. We're here to address any further concerns, so feel free to reach out with any questions.