Residential properties

Make yourself at home in the heart of Derby

Buying Guide

Below you will find a number of buying guides which will help you when making a purchase.

Planning your move

With a little forward planning, your move should run smoothly. Here's our guide to help make your move as relaxed as possible.

Three weeks to go...

Get estimates from removal firms. Ask about their packing and unpacking service, if you need it, and whether they provide packing cases. Alternatively, find out about hiring a self-drive van.
Always make sure that the removal firm has comprehensive insurance cover against damage to or loss of your goods, and confirm your requirements.
Write to your building society/bank and any credit card companies, advising them of your new address and amending standing orders, for example.
Arrange for water, electricity, gas, telephone and other accounts to be finalised. Don't forget to register with your new service providers at your new address.
Book a suitably qualified electrician, gas installer and plumber, if required, to disconnect appliances at your old address and re-fit them at your new address as necessary.
Notify your doctor and dentist surgeries so that your medical records can be transferred to your new practices.
Confirm school transfers.
Start collecting suitable packing boxes if your removal firm does not provide them, and start packing things that you won't need until after you have moved.
Create a system of identifying the packing boxes that will be opened first (by numbering or colour coding), and label all boxes clearly with the contents and the room in which they belong.
Let your employer know your new address.
Set aside one or two hours for the demonstration of your new home.

Two weeks to go...

There are certain to be many people that you will need to advise of your move. The checklist below includes some of the individuals, companies and organisations that you may need to inform.

Change of address notification
Bank and building society
Catalogues
Clubs and associations
Credit card companies
Doctor and dentist
DVLA
Employers
Friends and family
Hire purchase companies
Inland Revenue
Local authority council tax department
Magazine and newspaper subscriptions
Mobile phone companies
Motoring organisations
National Savings and Premium Bond companies
Opticians
Professional associations and trade unions
Rental companies
Satellite TV companies
Schools and colleges
Service companies
Telephone companies
Veterinary surgeons

In addition:

Start running down the stocks of food in your freezer.
Continue to pack any items that you won't need before the move.
Arrange for someone to look after your children and pets on the day of the move.
Start throwing away any unwanted items from cupboards, attics and sheds.
Arrange for the Post Office to redirect your mail.
Complete your change of address notifications.

One week to go...

Confirm your moving arrangements with the van hire or removal firm.
Clearly label any items you're leaving behind and remove any fixed objects not included in your sale.
Collect and label all keys for your existing property.
Make up a toolkit with screwdriver, pliers, knife, hammer, hooks, fuses etc., and keep it handy for your move.
Make sure your loft, garden shed and other storage places have been cleared out and all items not needed for use have been packed and labelled.
Cancel newspapers, milk and window cleaner, and settle any bills you may have overlooked.

The day before...

Defrost your fridge. Empty and defrost your freezer, or alternatively switch to maximum if you are taking the contents with you.
Complete all packing except for clothing and overnight toiletries, and any food and drink you might need on the day you move. For children, a few favourite toys will help them settle in on their first night.
Have some cash available to deal with any unexpected expenses.
Clean down all paintwork and work surfaces including sanitary ware.
Vacuum the carpets.
Advise your solicitor of the time of your move, so that he or she can make sure all completion money is with the builder prior to your arrival on site to collect the keys on the day.
Prepare a survival kit containing kettle, drinks and snacks.
Keep your Homeowner's manual to hand as you will need it on the day of your move.
Leave any instructions for appliances, central heating etc., and make a list of useful telephone numbers for the new occupiers of your house.
Double check contents insurance for your new home is in place.

On the day...

Turn off the central heating and all electrical appliances. If you are moving in winter, make sure you drain the water systems unless someone is moving in on the same day.

Make a note of gas, water and electricity meter readings.
Check all storage spaces and lock all windows and doors.

From reservation to exchange of contracts

Once you have paid your reservation fee, we are committed to retain the home you have chosen in your name for an agreed period of time. This fee then becomes part of the final purchase price and will be deducted from the balance you pay when you move into your new home.

If, for whatever reason, you find you are unable to exchange contracts at the end of the agreed period, we reserve the right to re-offer for sale the home in question.

If you require a mortgage, or other loan, to purchase your new home, this is the time to make a formal application based on the purchase price and details of your chosen home.

When looking for a new home, you will need to decide how much you can afford to spend, and there are many tools to help you in this process.

Our sales advisor can put you in touch with a financial advisor who can suggest a mortgage suitable for your personal needs.

When arranging a mortgage it is usual to arrange the insurance of your new home at the same time. Building insurance is essential and all lenders will insist you have this in place at exchange of contracts. Don't forget contents insurance also.

Your solicitor will now need to be instructed and search fees paid for. You may wish to take advantage of our Legal Fees paid incentive - please ask the Sales Advisor for further details.

Subject to the stage of construction you will be given the opportunity to personalise your home by selecting a choice of the fixtures and fittings on offer. Apart from these standard features, again dependent on the stage of construction, you will be shown additional items available to order from the 'Lovell Inspirations' range. It is important that you advise us of your selections as soon as possible to enable us to accommodate your requests.

Exchange of contracts takes place within 28 days of the date of reservation.

At this stage your solicitor will ask you to sign the contract and arrange payment of the balance of the 10% deposit. Exchange of contract constitutes an agreement that is legally binding on both parties to complete the purchase of your new home.

From exchange of contracts to completion

We will keep you updated as to when you will be able to move into your new home.

While arrangements can be made to visit your new home during the construction process, this can only take place provided it is safe to do so and by prior arrangement with the site manager.

When your home is finished the NHBC (National House-Building Council) will issue a Council of Mortgage Lenders Certificate. Our Customer Care Team will then invite you to a 'demonstration' of your new home during normal working hours (this demonstration will take place within five days of the property being finished).

The key features of your home will be explained and you will be given instruction on how things work in your new home.

After the demonstration has been completed, a formal notice is served on your solicitor and legal completion takes place within the period specified on your contract. If applicable, you should liaise with your solicitor who will contact your mortgage lender to arrange a final survey of the property. By this time you should have signed the mortgage and transfer deeds.

Completion day

It is your solicitor's responsibility to handle the financial transactions. It is important that the transfer of monies takes place as early in the day as possible. For legal reasons we will not be able to allow you to move into the property until the balance of monies due has been received by us. Your sales advisor will advise you when monies have been received and will arrange to meet you at your new home. During this meeting the keys will be handed over to you and you will be asked to sign a handover document.

On handover, you will also receive additional documentation about your home including instruction manuals, warranties, emergency contact details and NHBC documentation.

You are now the proud owner of your brand new home at Castleward!

Post-completion customer care and warranties

Customer service after completion

Within the first week of your move a member of the sales team will make a courtesy check that all is well with your new home.
Within four weeks of your move our customer service manager will contact you to discuss any matters requiring our attention.

Warranty

We provide a two-year warranty with your new home, and enforces any warranty provided by the manufacturers for the first year of occupation. Our customer care department is on hand to offer you advice and guidance.

We are also covered by the NHBC 10-year warranty. You will be provided with full details by the sales advisor. Please take time to understand the warranty, and in particular the information provided in the NHBC booklet, 'Guide to your new home'.