There’s nothing quite like having an offer accepted on a home that ticks all the right boxes. After weeks, or even months, of searching, everything suddenly starts to feel real. Then the waiting begins.

Buying a property rarely happens quickly. Mortgage applications, surveys, solicitors and property chains all play a part, and while you can’t control every stage of the process, you can influence more than you might think.

Over the years, we’ve seen organised buyers keep their purchases moving from day one, while small oversights have added unnecessary delays to others. A little preparation can make a significant difference.

If you want a smoother, faster property purchase, these ten practical tips will help you stay one step ahead.

1. Get your mortgage agreement in principle before you start viewing

It might sound obvious, but it’s surprising how many buyers begin viewing properties before speaking to a lender.

Having a Mortgage in Principle (sometimes called an Agreement in Principle) gives you a realistic understanding of your budget and shows sellers that you’re a serious buyer. In a competitive market, that can make all the difference. If two buyers submit similar offers, the one who already has their finances in place is often viewed as the safer option.

2. Choose your solicitor before you need one

One of the easiest ways to lose momentum is waiting until your offer is accepted before choosing a solicitor.

Choose your solicitor early and you can complete much of the initial admin before the legal process begins. You can sort identity checks, client paperwork and initial instructions in advance, so your solicitor can start work as soon as your offer is accepted.

Take the time to choose the right solicitor. Ask family, friends or your estate agent for trusted local recommendations, as the right solicitor can make a significant difference throughout the transaction.

You might only save a few days, but in property transactions, those days quickly add up.

3. Have your paperwork ready to go

Buying a property involves a surprising amount of paperwork.

Your mortgage lender and solicitor will usually ask for proof of identity, proof of address, recent bank statements, payslips, proof of deposit and evidence of where your funds have come from. Buyers often lose valuable time searching for these documents after someone requests them.

Instead, create a folder (digital or paper) before you even start house hunting. When your lender or solicitor asks for a document, you’ll have everything ready to send straight away.

4. Book your survey as soon as possible

Once your offer has been accepted, don’t wait around before arranging your survey.

Surveyors can often have busy schedules, particularly during popular buying periods. Delaying by even a week or two can push the whole transaction back unnecessarily. If the survey does uncover any issues, identifying them early gives everyone more time to discuss the next steps without slowing things down further.

5. Respond to emails and paperwork promptly

It sounds simple, but it makes a huge difference.

Throughout the buying process, you’ll receive requests from your solicitor, mortgage broker, lender, and estate agent. Some may only take a few minutes to deal with, but leaving them sitting in your inbox for several days can have a knock-on effect across the entire transaction.

We’ve seen purchases lose valuable time simply because documents weren’t signed or emails weren’t answered promptly. The faster everyone responds, the easier it is to keep the purchase moving.

6. Avoid major financial changes

This is one many buyers don’t realise.

Once your mortgage application has been submitted, try to avoid making significant financial changes until you’ve completed on your purchase. Changing jobs, taking out a personal loan, financing a new car, or making large purchases on credit can all affect your mortgage application or require additional checks from your lender.

As tempting as it is to start buying furniture for your new home, it’s usually best to wait until you’ve got the keys.

7. Keep talking to everyone

Many buyers assume their solicitor will update the estate agent, who will update the seller, who will update everyone else.

In reality, good communication is often what keeps a transaction moving. Don’t be afraid to check in with your solicitor, mortgage advisor, and estate agent every so often. A quick phone call can often identify a small issue before it turns into a much bigger delay.

Your estate agent can also help coordinate communication across the chain, ensuring everyone knows where things stand.

8. Understand that property chains take time

Not every delay means something has gone wrong.

If your seller is buying another property, and that seller is waiting for somebody else, you’re all connected in what’s known as a property chain. Sometimes delays happen because searches are taking longer than expected. In other cases, a mortgage offer is still being processed further up the chain. Elsewhere, another solicitor may simply be waiting for paperwork.

Understanding how chains work won’t speed them up, but it can help manage expectations and avoid unnecessary stress.

9. Remain flexible where you can

There will inevitably be appointments to arrange, whether that’s surveys, mortgage valuations, or access for contractors.

Where possible, being flexible with dates can help avoid unnecessary hold-ups. The same applies if your solicitor requests additional documents or your lender needs further information. The quicker these requests are dealt with, the easier it is for everyone to keep progressing towards exchange and completion.

10. Choose an estate agent who doesn’t stop working after your offer is accepted

Many people think an estate agent’s job ends once an offer has been agreed.

In reality, that’s often where some of the most important work begins. A proactive estate agent will continue liaising with solicitors, mortgage brokers, buyers, sellers, and everyone else involved in the transaction to help keep things moving. They’ll chase updates, flag potential issues early, and make sure communication doesn’t stall.

Sales progression might happen behind the scenes, but it can make a significant difference to how quickly you receive your keys.

A final thought

While there’s no guaranteed way to fast-track every property purchase, being organised from the very beginning can make the process considerably smoother.

Getting your finances in place, responding quickly, booking key appointments early, and keeping communication flowing all help reduce avoidable delays. Some parts of the process will always be outside your control. But by focusing on the things you can influence, you’ll give yourself the best possible chance of reaching completion sooner.

After all, buying a home is stressful enough without unnecessary delays getting in the way.

Contact us:

mark@daviesdavies.co.uk – Sales Director (contact for sales, lettings and new homes)

katrina@daviesdavies.co.uk – Director of Property & Block Management (contact for property and block management)

Davies & Davies Estate Agents, 85 Stroud Green Road, London, N4 3EG

Article & images by Barefaced Studios

You might also want to read other useful blog articles by clicking here.

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