Are you ready to move?

Ten honest questions across money, paperwork, process knowledge and timing. Takes two minutes; no sign-up needed.

How is your deposit looking?

1.How is your deposit looking?Money

Saved and sitting in an accessible accountMostly saved — a few months from targetPartly saved, or coming from a gift/sale I haven't confirmedNot started yet

Do you have a mortgage Decision in Principle (DIP)?

2.Do you have a mortgage Decision in Principle (DIP)?Money

Yes, current (under 3 months old)Yes, but it may have expiredNo, but I know roughly what I can borrowNo idea what I could borrow

Have you budgeted for the full cost of moving — not just the deposit?

3.Have you budgeted for the full cost of moving — not just the deposit?Money

Yes — stamp duty, legal, survey, removals, plus contingencyRoughly — I know the big itemsOnly the deposit and mortgageNot yet

When did you last check your credit report?

4.When did you last check your credit report?Money

Recently, with all three agencies — no surprisesWithin the last yearYears agoNever

Could you produce ID, proof of address, 3 months of payslips and bank statements this week?

5.Could you produce ID, proof of address, 3 months of payslips and bank statements this week?Paperwork

Yes — all gathered in one placeMostly — a day of diggingSome of itThat would be a struggle

Can you evidence where your deposit came from?

6.Can you evidence where your deposit came from?Paperwork

Yes — clear savings history or documented giftMostly, though it's spread across accountsIt would take some untanglingUnsure what counts as evidence

How well do you understand the buying process — offer, conveyancing, searches, exchange, completion?

7.How well do you understand the buying process — offer, conveyancing, searches, exchange, completion?Process knowledge

Confidently — I know the stages and what each involvesThe broad shape, not the detailVaguelyIt's a black box

Do you know how you'll choose your conveyancer?

8.Do you know how you'll choose your conveyancer?Process knowledge

Yes — shortlisted or already chosen on evidenceI know what to look forI'll probably use whoever the agent suggestsHaven't thought about it

How realistic is your expected timeline?

9.How realistic is your expected timeline?Timing

I'm planning around 4-6 months offer to completionAround 3 monthsA few weeks to a couple of monthsI need to move by a hard deadline very soon

If your purchase fell through, could you absorb it?

10.If your purchase fell through, could you absorb it?Timing

Yes — disappointing but I could go againIt would sting financially but I'd manageIt would be a serious setbackIt would be a disaster

Guidance only, not financial advice. Speak to a qualified mortgage adviser about affordability.