Buying A Property

Secure your Highlight

Buying an affordable home is a significant step, and our role is to make the process clear, structured, and well supported from the start.

We specialise in affordable homeownership, including shared ownership, shared equity, first homes, discounted market sale, and other low cost homeownership options. Our step by step approach guides you through eligibility, affordability, reservation, and completion, ensuring each stage is understood before you progress.

We work closely with housing providers and reputable housebuilders to bring a range of affordable homes for sale to the market. Our team explains each scheme in plain language, outlines the criteria, and supports you through eligibility checks, reservation, and the final steps of securing your home.

Whether you’re buying your first home, relocating, or looking for a more accessible route into homeownership, we provide straightforward guidance and regular updates so you always know what to expect.

Our aim is to make accessing an affordable home as simple, transparent, and well managed as possible, helping you move forward with confidence.

Our Buying Process

Your Simple 10-Step Guide

Initial Enquiry

Take the first step towards securing your new home by submitting your initial enquiry for your chosen property. This allows us to gather the essential details we need to guide you through the process and provide you with the right support.

Register your details to stay informed about future homes, or register your interest for a specific property by completing the relevant Application Form.

If you wish to purchase through a Shared Ownership or Shared Equity scheme, we ask that you complete our Low-Cost Homeownership Application Form. This allows us to assess your eligibility and ensure we have the right information to support your application. 

Once your application is submitted, the next step is to carry out an affordability assessment. This ensures your future home aligns with your financial circumstances, giving you the confidence to move forward in the process.

Highlight have partnered with new-build mortgage specialists Mortgage Advice Bureau, to provide expert advice and guidance during this stage. Their team will work with you to review your finances and assess your ability to secure a mortgage.

The next crucial step is to identify a residential solicitor to handle the legal aspects of your purchase. 

Your solicitor will manage all legal work, checks, and contracts.

If needed, our team can provide recommendations and guidance to help you make the right choice.

Depending on the type of property and the country, this step confirms your commitment to move forward.

Scotland (re sales or completed homes):
Your solicitor submits a Note of Interest, signalling that you intend to make a formal offer. This ensures you are notified if another offer is received or if a closing date is set.

Off plan homes (Scotland & England):
You pay a reservation fee to secure your plot. This removes the home from the market for an agreed period while legal and financial steps progress. We then provide a reservation pack with plans, specifications, and anticipated build timelines.

England re sales:
Once an offer is verbally agreed, we issue a Memorandum of Sale to all parties. This confirms the price, the buyer and seller details, and the solicitors involved, allowing conveyancing to begin.

This step formally links you, the seller, and both solicitors so progress can be tracked efficiently.

Once the property is reserved or your Note of Interest is acknowledged, the legal process begins.

Scotland (re sales and completed homes):
Your solicitor submits a written offer. The seller’s solicitor replies with formal legal conditions. These letters form the basis of the missives, the Scottish legal contract.

England (re sales and completed homes):
Your solicitor begins reviewing the seller’s contract pack, raising enquiries, and checking the title, searches, and documents. This is the start of the formal contract process.

Off plan homes (Scotland & England):
You receive a reservation agreement, draft contract or missives, and development documentation. Build timelines, specification choices, and warranty details are confirmed. A target date for contract exchange or missive conclusion will be set.

If you’re buying with a mortgage, your lender will assess the property to make sure it fits their criteria.

Valuation:
The lender instructs a valuation of the home.

  • For re sales and completed homes, this happens quickly.
  • For off plan homes, the valuation may take place closer to the build completion date, depending on the lender’s policy.

Underwriting:

Your financial documents are reviewed by the lender to confirm affordability and compliance with the scheme.

Formal Mortgage Offer:

Once approved, you receive a Formal Mortgage Offer, which your solicitor also receives. This is required before your purchase can move to contract exchange or missive conclusion.

This stage finalises the legal agreement between you and the seller.

Scotland:
Your solicitor reviews all title documents, searches, and scheme requirements. Once all queries are answered and both solicitors are satisfied, missives are concluded, creating a legally binding contract.

England:
Your solicitor completes all searches and enquiries, reviews the contract pack, and ensures your mortgage offer is in place. Once everything is ready, contracts are exchanged, which legally commits both parties to the sale.

Off plan homes:
This step may take place either before or shortly before completion depending on the developer’s process. You will also receive updates on build progress and anticipated handover dates.

Once this stage is complete, both sides are legally committed, and the move towards completion is underway.

This is the point where the home becomes legally yours.

Scotland – Settlement:
Your solicitor transfers the purchase funds to the seller’s solicitor. Once received, ownership transfers to you and you can collect your keys.

England – Completion:
Funds are transferred on the agreed day, and once confirmed by both solicitors, you can collect your keys.

Off plan homes:
Completion happens once the home is fully built, passes final inspections, and receives its warranty sign-off. The handover date will be agreed in advance, and arrangements will be made for key release and any required snagging or home demonstration appointments.

At this point, you have full legal ownership of your new home and can move in.

After you move in, aftercare support is available to help with any questions or issues that may arise.

For new build homes, this includes guidance on warranties, snagging, and who to contact for any defects or maintenance queries.

For re sale homes, this includes general support during your settling-in period and signposting to the appropriate contacts if anything needs attention.

Our aim is to ensure that you feel supported and informed as you settle into your new home.

Find Your Highlight

Your Journey to Your Future Home

We are dedicated to helping people find the home that matches their needs and aspirations. By offering personalised support at every stage, we recognise the unique requirements of individuals and families and are committed to working alongside you to ensure that you feel confident and secure throughout your home finding journey.

Start your search to Find A Home today. Get in touch, ask questions, and connect with our team. Each step you take brings you closer to opening the door to your future home.