A common question from buyers is simply: how long is this going to take? As a rough guide, the process breaks down into five stages:
| Stage | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Gathering and preparing your documents | ~15 days |
| Internal review and recommendation | ~2 days |
| Approval in principle from the lender | ~7 days |
| Valuation and formal loan offer | ~10 days |
| Legal work and closing | ~20 days |
Add it up and you're looking at roughly two months from a standing start to keys in hand — though this can move faster or slower depending on the lender, the complexity of your case, and how quickly you can turn around requested documents.
The one thing that speeds this up
Having your paperwork ready and complete before you apply is by far the biggest factor in how quickly things move. Payslips, bank statements, proof of savings and identification should all be gathered and organised before you submit anything — chasing missing documents mid-application is the most common cause of delay.
