Set your expectations

You will hear a lot of people describe the house buying process and dealing with estate agents as “playing the game.” This is a very out-dated way of viewing house purchasing and it can lead to all sorts of issues down the road.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with setting, or altering, your expectations in the process and being honest and upfront with everyone involved. If you want to move house on a longer timescale than other people as you are not ready, then say so. Let everyone know as soon as you can that you will need some extra time. If your buyer is willing, and your seller is too, then everyone is on the same page.

Good communication is at the heart of a successful house move. Being honest and transparent with your buyers and your seller is a wise approach to take.

Don’t be rushed

Take your time finding somewhere new. Your buyer may well be keen to complete by a certain date (and this is happening more and more as we reach the Stamp Duty exemption cut-off date) and you might be too, but don’t be in a rush to find somewhere to move to.

A purchase made under pressure will cloud your judgement. Head back to your wish list and refine it (or start one if you haven’t). This will help to keep you steady and focussed while you are looking for somewhere to buy.

If you have got a mortgage offer approved, then it normally lasts somewhere between three and six months, which gives you plenty of time to think things through. And you can always opt for a mortgage company that gives you a longer offer to help with this.

Hit the pause button

Until last year, hitting the pause button would have been seen as an absolute no-no in the property market. But when the Coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020, the Government was actively asking home buyers and sellers to pause their transactions. This set a new precedent for people being able to have greater control in the process.

If you need to take a pause in your house purchase, then be honest and talk this through with your conveyancer. If your buyer is serious, they may well be prepared to wait. Life can throw plenty of different circumstances at you that can put additional stress on your plate. If moving house feels like too much to deal with while you sort out other things, there is nothing wrong with asking to pause the proceedings.

Nothing is final until you have exchanged contracts

It is also worth remembering that until you have exchanged contracts, you are not legally obliged to complete on the sale or purchase of a house. While it can be incredibly frustrating for everyone involved, it does happen.

If things are moving too fast, then you are entitled to withdraw from your sale or purchase before this point. You may well lose some costs that you have paid out for – surveys, mortgage brokers or conveyancing fees. But if the pressure is becoming too much, and you simply aren’t ready, then you do have the option to walk away.