Moving into a new home is an unforgettable moment.
But before the journey begins, there a few things that need to be done. Here’s our step-by-step guide to your moving journey so nothing catches you off guard.
Step 1: Decide your budget
First and foremost, decide your budget. To do that, we have a mortgage calculator tool. (Quick tip: don’t forget to keep a little pot of money aside in case there are other things you need to pay for along the way.)
To help with the financial side of things, we also offer a number of incentives. You can find out about our different ways to buy.
Step 2: Reservation and Welcome Meeting
When you reserve your home with us it will be removed from sale so no one else can reserve it. We will then provide you with a “provisional” legal completion date.
We’ll do our best to keep to this date, and your sales consultant will be in touch on a regular basis. At this point, we’ll also need you to sign a reservation form and go through the reservation and welcome meeting checklist. You can download the My St. Modwen Home app or login to the website to be kept up to date with how your home is progressing.
Step 3: Instruct a solicitor
A solicitor or licensed conveyancer will normally be required to handle the legal aspects of the purchase. This involves carrying out local authority and land registry searches, explaining the details of the contract to you, calling down the funds from the lender (if required) and exchanging and legally completing your purchase. You can find a selection of solicitors we work with on our website.
Most firms will:
- Provide you with a detailed estimate of all the costs
- Need a written confirmation that they’re acting on your behalf
- Require full details of your purchase, including any mortgage arrangements, together with the agreed date for the exchange of contracts
Step 4: Arrange a mortgage
If you require a mortgage and haven’t got one already, you’ll now need to submit an application and valuation fee (where applicable) to your lender. If you need some guidance, we partner with independent financial advisors who understand our business and they’ll work on your behalf to ensure you get the best mortgage advice possible. Please send us your lender’s details once they’re available, along with application progress reports until a formal offer is made. This usually follows the valuation process. As soon as a formal mortgage offer is made, please inform your solicitor and Development Sales Manager.
Step 5: Exchange contracts
Once your solicitor has received all the purchase-related documents, you’ll be asked to sign a legally binding contract. Contracts will then be exchanged, and the legal completion will be in line with the terms of contract. If you feel you need any further guidance or explanations of this process, remember that your solicitor is there to answer any questions.
Step 6: Plan your move
The key to a successful and stress-free move is to be well prepared. We hope the following checklist will help:- Book a removals company
- Notify utility companies (e.g. electricity, gas, water, telephone and cable) that you are leaving your current home and require a service at your new address
- Notify important business/domestic and financial/personal services of your change of address
- Send off change of address cards. Your full postal address will be available from our sales consultant
- Pack all valuable personal, domestic, and business documents and items for safekeeping
- Arrange for a television licence, transfer phone calls and redirect your post
Step 7: Your meetings and the handover
Throughout your journey you will be invited to different meetings. At your Selections Check Out meeting you'll be able to view all of the choices that can be added to your home and make some decisions on what you would like to choose. You will be invited to look around your new home also and have the option to have a Home Check meeting before you move in. As well as our many Quality Checks along the way, an independent professional building inspection will also happen. This is sign off from the relevant building control authorities and a new home 10-year NHBC Buildmark warranty granted, giving you peace of mind. About a week before you move in we will invite you to a Home Demonstration, where your Site Manager or Development Sales Manager will take you around your new home to show you how everything works. It's nearly time to move in!
Step 7: Move in
The day you’ve been waiting for: moving day! To save any waiting at the property on the day, here are a few things to note:- Ask your solicitor to find out the approximate time your keys will be available.
- Check with your solicitor that legal completion has taken place.
- Legal completion has to take place the day before you move in (end of play, at the latest). This is essential if you want early access to your new home. Please note there can be delays on a Friday or last day of the month as these are popular days for completions. Banks/solicitors can become very busy, slowing the transfer of funds.
- Bear in mind that the keys to your new home won’t be released until the balance has been paid in full to St. Modwen Homes solicitor’s account.
- Remember that St. Modwen Homes will not allow personal belongings or the installation of your own carpets/flooring prior to legal completion.
- Once we have received the necessary financial instructions from our solicitors, your Development Sales Manager will be in touch to organise handing over the keys to your new home.