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Property buyers’ guide

Discover the seamless process of buying property in Bournemouth and surrounding areas with the help of Hearnes.

Gain the advantage when buying local property through Hearnes in this property buyers’ guide. We’ll reveal how we work with buyers to help them land their dream home and how to prepare yourself for a successful purchase. This guide is ideal for first-time buyers and first-time investors on the south coast, but it can also be a valuable refresh if you haven’t bought a property in the last few years.

Preparing to buy

The first step in buying a property is to decide on your budget, and the best way to do this is by getting a mortgage pre-approval. A mortgage pre-approval is where your selected mortgage lender assesses your finances and tells you what size loan you’re likely to get approved with them. With the pre-approval, you’ll know with near certainty how much at most you spend on a new property.  

Equipped with your mortgage pre-approval, you’ll be able to start searching current property listings with Hearnes and narrow down the areas you wish to live in and the types of property you want to buy. If your property purchase will be part of a chain and you need to sell your current property, consider putting it on the market with Hearnes. Our experienced estate agents in Bournemouth and the surrounding areas can help you sell your property as well as buy a new one.

On top of applying for a mortgage, you’ll need to arrange a solicitor/conveyancer to take over the legal aspects of the property purchase, starting with a number of searches on the property and the drafting of contracts. It can take some time to get this going as they will need ID for all parties, numerous forms filling out and part of the costs paid before they can start, so finding and instructing a conveyancer/solicitor is worth doing whilst you are out viewing properties to avoid unnecessary delays.

Choose a property

As a long-standing local estate agent, Hearnes has a large and frequently updated property for sale listings. You’ll be able to view these properties directly from our website and find key information about each property. When searching for local properties with Hearnes, it’s a good idea to register with us. By registering, you will save time and may even hear about new properties for sale before other non-registered buyers and will definitely here about properties that are marketed on a low key basis (not on the internet) that you otherwise would miss.

If some of our listings catch your eye, you can easily request a viewing. Most often you will need to request a private viewing on a time and date to suit you. Our estate agents are highly accommodating and can find a time that works for you, even if it’s outside of standard business hours. On some occasions, open homes may be scheduled and you can view the property alongside other buyers.  

It's not uncommon to want a second or even a third viewing before making a decision and putting in an offer. Never hesitate to contact us again and let us know you’re on the fence and wish to look at a property again. That’s what we’re here for!

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Search our latest properties for-sale now!

Browse the latest homes for sale on the south coast now. Don’t delay to avoid missing out. Our listings are frequently updated.

Make an offer – and get it accepted

Making an offer can be a nerve-wracking experience. The process can be daunting even when it’s not your first property purchase. After all, it’s probably one of the biggest purchases you will ever make. Hearnes’ estate agents are trained to make the process less stressful by providing all the information you need before submitting an offer. Don’t hesitate to ask questions to seek clarity and make an informed offer. Unless otherwise directed, you can make an offer at any time by calling your local Hearnes branch.

There is no magic formula to getting an offer accepted as it’s ultimately the seller’s decision. Hearnes can advise sellers when they ask for our professional input, but we cannot make them accept your offer. To increase your chances of acceptance, it’s best to offer the asking price. Recent data shows a record increase in properties selling for asking prices or above. It’s normal for some buyers to try and haggle a little, especially if the property has been listed for sale for some time. However, the vendor might not be in a rush to sell and may not entertain lower offers.

On the other hand, if there are multiple buyers interested, you might be tempted to submit a much higher offer in to secure the property. However, you should keep in mind the amount of your mortgage pre-approval and other fees you’ll need to pay, such as Stamp Duty and conveyancing. Extending yourself too much could result in a frantic search for a new lender willing to offer more, and worse, it could cause the purchase to fall through.

Buying the property

Great news – your offer was accepted. This is usually followed by a period of jubilation and then a realisation that the process is only just beginning. You have several immediate tasks at this stage. You’ll need to apply for a mortgage, possibly with the same lender that provided you with the pre-approval. You don’t have to use a lender that granted you pre-approval and you could still shop around for a better mortgage deal if desired.

On top of applying for a mortgage, you’ll need to arrange a conveyancer to take over the legal aspects of the property purchase, starting with a number of searches on the property and the drafting of contracts.  It can take some time to get this going as they will need ID for all parties, numerous form filling out and part of the costs paid before they can start, so finding and instructing a conveyancer/solicitor is imperative to do quickly if you haven’t already done so.

It is worth discussing at this point, how much deposit your solicitor will need to be able to exchange contracts so that you can make arrangements in advance. Also, you will need to decide if you want a property survey; this may well be part of the mortgage as most lenders send their surveyors to check the property over to ensure it is good security for the loan. If your surveyor finds unforeseen costly issues that will need fixing, then you should talk to your agent to ascertain the best way forwards. 

Once all due diligence has been completed, you will need to make sure your conveyancer/solicitor has your deposit and contracts will be signed and exchanged between your and the vendor’s conveyancers. You will now be legally obligated to purchase the property. Another task at this stage is to arrange home insurance starting on settlement day when you become the legal owner. You might need to arrange services and a removal company too. Last but not least, don’t forget to start changing your address with banks, etc.

Start your local property search now!

Your dream property might be on the market already. If you’re looking for a property in Bournemouth, Ferndown, Poole, Ringwood or Wimborne and surrounding areas don’t miss out and browse Hearnes’ latest property listings now.

Search for a property


More information

Discover more about Hearnes and our array of services by clicking the links below. From property valuations to meeting the team and reading recent reviews, you can find everything you need to know below.

Aerial photo of Wimborne Minister

Search for your next property

Search for your next property

Please view our current listings. Alternatively, get in touch if you don’t see any listings that match your criteria. We provide expert guidance to support your property search.

Photo of a river

What's your property worth?

What's your property worth?

Don’t hesitate to contact Hearnes for more information on how we will accurately value your property. Our team are on hand to fully explain our property valuation service so you know exactly what to expect.

Aerial photo of Badbury Rings

Marketing your property

Marketing your property

Do you have a question about how we’ll market and sell your property? Read on for answers to all your queries about our comprehensive service for sellers today. We guarantee 100% clarity from the outset.

Photo of a bench overlooking a river

Latest info

Latest info

We write regular posts to share information on the world of property. Many of our posts provide real-time insights into local property trends. Take a look to find out more.

Photo of Poole beach huts

Our reviews

Our reviews

Here at Hearnes, we have many happy clients. Read some of our reviews to see how we have helped buyers and sellers just like you.

Photo of a woodland walk

View our branches

View our branches

We have five branches, each dedicated to helping buyers and sellers in their local area. Find information, including contact details, for each of our branches here.

Photo of a country walk

Meet our team

Meet our team

Each of our branches has a dedicated and professional team ready to help buyers and sellers in their local area. Find out more about each of our team members here.

Aerial photo of Blue Lagoon, Lilliput, Poole

Where service counts

Where service counts

Here at Hearnes, we are a people business operating within the property sector. We are all about service and going the extra mile to ensure our clients get the home they want as smoothly as possible.

Photo showing an anchor in front of a building

Contact us

Contact us

We're always happy to help. Whether you are looking to sell your home, buy a new one, or just want to chat with someone about how we can help with a stage in the process, get in touch, and we'll see what we can do!

Aerial photo of Wimborne Minister

Search for your next property

Search for your next property

Please view our current listings. Alternatively, get in touch if you don’t see any listings that match your criteria. We provide expert guidance to support your property search.

Photo of a river

What's your property worth?

What's your property worth?

Don’t hesitate to contact Hearnes for more information on how we will accurately value your property. Our team are on hand to fully explain our property valuation service so you know exactly what to expect.

Aerial photo of Badbury Rings

Marketing your property

Marketing your property

Do you have a question about how we’ll market and sell your property? Read on for answers to all your queries about our comprehensive service for sellers today. We guarantee 100% clarity from the outset.

Photo of a bench overlooking a river

Latest info

Latest info

We write regular posts to share information on the world of property. Many of our posts provide real-time insights into local property trends. Take a look to find out more.

Photo of Poole beach huts

Our reviews

Our reviews

Here at Hearnes, we have many happy clients. Read some of our reviews to see how we have helped buyers and sellers just like you.

Photo of a woodland walk

View our branches

View our branches

We have five branches, each dedicated to helping buyers and sellers in their local area. Find information, including contact details, for each of our branches here.

Photo of a country walk

Meet our team

Meet our team

Each of our branches has a dedicated and professional team ready to help buyers and sellers in their local area. Find out more about each of our team members here.

Aerial photo of Blue Lagoon, Lilliput, Poole

Where service counts

Where service counts

Here at Hearnes, we are a people business operating within the property sector. We are all about service and going the extra mile to ensure our clients get the home they want as smoothly as possible.

Photo showing an anchor in front of a building

Contact us

Contact us

We're always happy to help. Whether you are looking to sell your home, buy a new one, or just want to chat with someone about how we can help with a stage in the process, get in touch, and we'll see what we can do!