We’re here to help you find your perfect home. Simply give us a call on 01702 445 600 or drop in to our welcoming offices in Southchurch Road, Southend to meet the team who are here to find the property that’s absolutely right for you. If you’re unable to visit us, no problem – simply register your interest in a property online and we’ll take it from there.

Step 1- Whether you have your mortgage or not…

If you have a mortgage agreed in principle you are in an excellent position to begin searching for a property straight away. If however, you need financial advice or guidance about the type of mortgages available to you, PACE is here to help. Simply call us on 01702 447 630 – you’ll receive a warm welcome and sound advice.

Click here for an online quote.

Step 2 - Let us help you find your perfect home…

We’re confident we’ll find the right home for you. We listen carefully and attentively to your property requirements, provide you with the very latest selection as they become available and alert you instantly - by phone, email or SMS – as soon as a property becomes available which we know meets your criteria.

But if you’re keen to take a look for yourself feel free - just search here!

Step 3 - Viewings at your convenience

With property demand high in Southend, it’s important to react swiftly when your ideal home becomes available. We do everything to help you achieve this – whether arranging single or multiple viewings or personally driving you from our offices to a newly appointed property. At PACE, you’ll find nothing is too much effort.

Step 4 - When you make your offer

Once we’ve found your ideal property you can rely on our advice and guidance to secure it. We put your offer, verbally and in writing, to the seller stating any special conditions. We ask you for ID and proof of address (to comply with Money Laundering regulations) along with confirmation you are in a position to proceed – for example evidence that your mortgage is agreed in principle. There are no legal obligations on either side until contracts are agreed.

Step 5 - After your offer is accepted

Once your offer is accepted we need your solicitor and mortgage broker's details to confirm the agreed price and send a “memorandum of sale” to both parties’ solicitors. If you do not have a known solicitor, you may find conveyancing firms who offer minimal rates but one word of caution is to remember ‘you get what you pay for’ and economising at this stage may not necessarily result in a swift procedure.

Step 6 - Choosing the right solicitor

We can confidently recommend a number of solicitors we trust to progress your sale efficiently and for a reasonable fee. We are happy to offer you advice but the choice of solicitor you appoint to liaise with your mortgage broker to complete the conveyancing process remains entirely yours.

Step 7 - Your home survey and mortgage offer

If you have appointed our broker, we can liaise with them on your behalf. They will ask your mortgage company to undertake the property survey – this may take a number of weeks and a fee is normally payable to your mortgage company. You will be advised of the survey results and when the suitability for a mortgage is confirmed you will usually be asked to provide proof of income with any supporting information.

Buy-to-let mortgages are often based on projected rental income – but in either case, do be aware your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayment of your mortgage.

Apply for a mortgage here.

Step 8 - How your solicitor continues the process

Your solicitor will ask you to complete a questionnaire then undertake a Local Authority search – payment for this may be required in advance. They will check the title to the property and review the responses from the seller’s solicitors. On receipt of your mortgage offer, they will send draft contracts to you for approval.

Naturally, we appreciate this can be an anxious time for buyers so rest assured you can rely on our experience and support every step of the way. We fully understand the importance of keeping you informed and we’re here to assist you throughout, ensuring the purchase of your new home runs as smoothly as possible.

Step 9 - Time to exchange contracts of sale

Once everything has been satisfactorily investigated your solicitor will ask you for your deposit - usually 10% of the purchase price. The two solicitors then exchange contracts and the deposit. Do be aware that withdrawing from purchasing the property after this point is likely to result in losing your deposit.

Step 10 - Almost there – completion of your purchase

It is usual to allow 7 days from exchange of contracts for the monies from the mortgage company to reach your solicitor. It is possible to exchange and complete on the same day if the monies are with the solicitor in advance - we are happy to help all parties achieve this if a speedy completion is required. Once the funds are in place the contracts are exchanged and the process is complete.

Step 11 - Your keys to your home!

After all the tension and excitement of your purchase – now the exciting part! The moment the transaction is complete your solicitor will notify us and notify you – you now own your new home. We will safely hold the keys for you to collect at your convenience - simply give us a call and we’ll be here to hand them to you.

Apart from wishing you every happiness in your new home that’s our job’s done! We have the skills, experience and professionalism to carefully and thoughtfully assist you every step of the way. Trust your purchase to PACE - you’ll find our standards of care and attention to detail, second to none.