Christmas 12 steps to property ownership in 2026
With Christmas around the corner, it might not seem the time to set your sights on property goals for 2026. However, by taking a few simple steps this side of the big day, you can not only set your goal, you can also set your path to property ownership in 2026. Here’s twelve steps to home ownership. Stay head of the game by getting steps one to four done before Christmas.
1. Let’s Have a Chat Before the Christmas rush kicks in, we can have a simple, pressure-free conversation about your 2026 home ownership goals. No jargon. No commitments. Just clarity, confidence and a plan. You will have already set yourself apart from the rest by getting ahead of the game.
2. Know Your Numbers A quick financial check before the festivities gives you a strong head start on other buyers who leave it until January. We’ll review your income, spending and savings so that by January, you’re not starting from scratch. An affordability assessment is a key yet often overlooked step to making a confident offer on your dream property. We don’t just check affordability with one bank, we will look at all potential lenders for you.
3. Check Your Credit (Naughty or Nice?) It’s smart to know what lenders will see before they see it. Your credit file will have details of loans and credit cards both past and present and crucially will show any adverse credit that could affect a mortgage application. Lenders have different scoring criteria for defaults, CCJ’s and missed payments. Knowing the exact dates of any credit issues is an important part of identifying the right lender for you, right from the beginning. I recommend CheckMyFile.com because it shows data from all three major credit agencies in one report. Spotting errors or potential problems now makes the whole process smoother in the New Year.
4. Get Your Decision in Principle (DIP) With a DIP ready, you’ll enter January’s property market prepared and confident. While others are only beginning to gather documents, you’ll already be in a position to move forward with viewings. A decision in principle gives you confidence in your offer and can give you an edge with the estate agent if other potential buyers aren’t as prepared.
🎉 It’s Christmas! Relax and enjoy
That’s steps one to four completed and all before Christmas. Sit back, relax!
5. Begin Your Property Search Boxing Day is a busy day on Rightmove! But January brings fresh listings and motivated sellers — an excellent combination for buyers. Don’t overlook those existing listings though as a property that has been on the market for a while can offer real value and a motivated seller. Because you’ve done the groundwork, you’ll be ahead of the crowd and can fine tune your property search to your budget.
6. Offer Accepted A big milestone. You will exchange solicitor details with the seller via the estate agent and the agent will issue a memorandum of sale.
7. Submit Your Mortgage Application Together, we’ll finalise the required documents and submit your full application and documents to the lender. Simple, calm and straightforward.
8. Property Valuation The lender will confirm the value of the property. You may also want to have your own survey done at this stage to help identify any defects with the property.
9. Receive Your Mortgage Offer A major moment in the process.
We’ll go through the offer together to ensure everything is correct, clear and suitable.
10. Solicitors Take Over the Legal Work Your solicitor will handle contracts, searches and legal details. I’ll stay involved to keep things moving smoothly.
11. Exchange Contracts This is where the purchase becomes legally binding and your moving date is set. You’re almost there — the home is essentially yours. You will need to have your home insurance in place on this day.
12. Completion Day Keys. In. Hand. Your homebuying journey is complete, and a new chapter begins. Congratulations!
2026 could offer great opportunities for buyers, with potential interest rate cuts on the horizon, realistic pricing from sellers and improved affordability criteria from lenders.
Send me a message if you’d like to take Step 1-4 in time for Christmas.
Craig Michaelson - Hirschle Hughes
Hirschle Hughes Ltd which is an appointed representative of New Leaf Distribution Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA number 460421