Home Mover Mortgage Journey Guide 2026
Your complete mortgage journey — every stage, every party, every document. Select your journey below and click any stage to learn more.
Written and reviewed by Sophie Harrison · Page last reviewed 8 April 2026
What are you doing?
What type?
Buying a property › To live in › Home mover
Click any stage to learn more
Sourcing & research
Review the market: rates, criteria, affordability.
You research lenders and products — rates, fees, LTV tiers, and criteria eligibility. An affordability sense-check at this stage sets realistic expectations before any formal approach. Mortgage Compare models this for you across 40+ lenders instantly.
Not sure which? Read our broker vs going direct guide
Fact find & advice
Broker gathers your full financial picture and recommends a suitable product.
Decision in principle (DIP)
High-level credit and affordability check with the lender.
Property search & offer
Search for properties and have your offer accepted.
Full mortgage application (FMA)
Complete application with full property and income detail, documents uploaded.
Underwriting assessment
Offer or declineLender assesses the application. Valuation and conveyancing proceed alongside.
Application review
Underwriters verify income, credit, documents, and policy compliance.
Valuation & survey
Surveyor visits the property and reports to the lender.
Conveyancing (pre-offer)
Solicitor begins searches and enquiries before the offer arrives.
Mortgage offer
Formal offer issued. References the ESIS. Can only be rescinded in limited circumstances.
Conveyancing (post-offer)
Solicitor reviews offer conditions, checks lender's handbook, prepares report on title.
Exchange of contracts
10% deposit transferred. Completion date fixed. You are legally committed.
Completion day
Funds drawn down, transferred, keys released. You own the property.
First mortgage payment
Direct debit collected, typically ~1 month after completion.