For Simon and Emma in Ormskirk, buying a new home wasn’t just about more space. It was about creating stability for their young son, James and being by schools that would give him a better start to life. Like many families moving into their next home, they wanted clarity on how long the whole process would take from the moment their offer was accepted.

What they discovered is that while buying a home can feel complex, having the right support makes the timings far more predictable.

So how long does it take to buy a house?

When their offer was accepted, Simon and Emma reached out to HFA Mortgage & Protection to understand the steps ahead. We walked them through a typical 14-week timeline, from mortgage application right the way through to completion, so they had clear expectations from day one.

The first major milestone was their mortgage application. Simon had consistent income as a Construction Manager but with several allowances; Emma’s nursing role included regular overtime. Every lender assesses income differently, so we helped present their case clearly and matched them with lenders who take a fair, balanced view of both salaried and variable earnings.

Once their application was submitted, the mortgage process moved quickly. Although timescales vary by lender, in many cases a mortgage offer is issued within a couple of weeks once all documentation and valuations are complete. For Simon and Emma, this meant they could move into the legal stage of the purchase with confidence.

From there, the timeline largely rested with the solicitors. The legal process can vary widely depending on the law firm’s efficiency. Searches, enquiries, contract reviews and exchange of contracts all influence the pace. This is where having the right team made all the difference. At HFA, we work closely with trusted solicitors who communicate well and keep cases moving. We remained in contact with both sides to ensure nothing stalled.

How Can HFA Help?

Throughout the 14-week journey, we stayed in touch with Simon and Emma, guiding them through each stage and keeping everything on track. For a busy family balancing long shifts and childcare, having a team overseeing the process gave them reassurance that they weren’t missing anything important.

For Simon, the process felt surprisingly smooth. “I thought buying a house would be stressful and full of unknowns,” he said. “Having HFA explain the timescales and keep things moving made it so much easier than we expected.”

Emma agreed. “It helped knowing we weren’t doing this on our own. If something was needed, HFA told us straight away. If we were waiting on the solicitors, they chased it. It made the whole move feel manageable.”

Now, with completion behind them and the keys in hand, Simon and Emma are settling into their new home. James finally has the extra bedroom they’d been hoping for, along with a little school 5 minutes walk from home.

Buying a home doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right advice, realistic timescales and a strong legal team. Families like Simon and Emma can move confidently toward their next chapter.

Start Your Homebuying Journey with Confidence

If you’re beginning your search or preparing to put an offer in, HFA Mortgage & Protection can guide you from application to completion. Help you choose the right lender and work with solicitors who keep your purchase moving.

Start your home-buying journey today at https://hfassociates.uk.

Disclaimer:

There may be a fee for mortgage advice. The precise amount of the fee will depend upon your circumstances but will range from £195 to £1500.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.