This guide explains what you can expect from the moment you reserve your property to receiving your keys and beyond.
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Reserving your new Allanwater home is an exciting milestone and our Sales team are here to make the process simple, transparent and stress-free from start to finish.
Your journey begins by visiting or contacting the development where you’d like to buy. Our Development Sales Manager will talk you through the available homes, pricing, build timescales and anything else you’d like to know. No pressure just helpful guidance so you can make the right decision with confidence.
Once you’ve chosen your preferred plot and are ready to move forward, we’ll arrange your Reservation Appointment. This is an important step and usually takes around two hours. During this time, we’ll carefully guide you through the Reservation Checklist and Agreement, review detailed plans of both the development and your selected home, and confirm key information such as the purchase price and anticipated completion dates. At this time it is your opportunity to ask questions and feel completely comfortable with what comes next.
To secure your chosen plot, a £500 reservation fee is required. This is deducted from your final purchase price when you legally complete on your home. For added peace of mind, all reservations include a 14-day cooling-off period. If you change your mind within that time, you can cancel and receive a full refund of your reservation fee.
If You’re Buying with a Mortgage:
Before reserving, you’ll need to obtain an Agreement in Principle (AIP) from your lender or mortgage broker. This confirms what you’re likely to be able to borrow and ensures you’re ready to move forward smoothly. If you’re unsure about this step, we’re happy to point you in the right direction.
If You’re Selling an Existing Property:
If you have a home to sell, don’t worry we regularly support buyers in this position. Our Development Sales Manager will explain how we manage dependent sales and outline the relevant terms and conditions clearly.
We know buying a home is a big decision. That’s why our team is here to guide, reassure and support you every step of the way so you can focus on the exciting part… looking forward to life in your new Allanwater home.
Once you’ve reserved your new home, the next step is to appoint a solicitor to handle the legal side of your purchase.
We recommend choosing a solicitor who has experience with new build properties. New builds follow a slightly different legal process compared to older homes and having someone familiar with this can help everything progress smoothly and efficiently.
As soon as your solicitor is instructed, we’ll send them all the necessary legal documentation so they can begin the conveyancing process. From there, your solicitor will manage the legal work on your behalf and liaise directly with us to keep your purchase moving forward.
If you’re unsure who to choose, don’t worry we can recommend a trusted panel solicitor who is familiar with our developments, processes and timescales. Many buyers find this helpful, as it can make communication quicker and the overall experience even more straightforward.
Our aim is to make every step feel clear and well supported, that includes helping you build the right professional team around you as you move closer to your new home.
If you’re planning to buy your new home with a mortgage, getting started early is one of the best ways to keep your move running smoothly.
Once you’ve reserved your chosen plot, we recommend contacting your mortgage lender or broker as soon as possible to begin your full application. They’ll guide you through the paperwork and arrange for a valuation survey of the property. This is a standard part of the process and allows the lender to confirm the property’s value and ensure it meets their lending criteria.
It’s worth keeping in mind that mortgage applications can take several weeks to process. Timescales vary depending on your lender and your personal circumstances, so starting early helps avoid unnecessary delays later on.
As soon as you receive your formal mortgage offer, please let our Development Sales Manager know. This allows us to keep everything aligned with your anticipated completion timeframe.
We know there are quite a few moving parts when buying a home, but with the right steps taken at the right time, the process becomes much more straightforward. Our team is always here to support you and help keep your journey to moving day on track.
If you need to sell your existing property before purchasing your new home, starting the process as early as possible will make everything feel far more manageable.
If your current home isn’t yet on the market, we’d encourage you to begin marketing it without delay. The earlier you secure a buyer, the more flexibility and confidence you’ll have as your new home progresses towards completion.
When planning your sale, there are a few important factors to keep in mind.
Taking proactive steps early in the process helps reduce stress, avoids last-minute pressure and keeps your move progressing smoothly. As always, our Development Sales Manager is on hand to offer guidance and talk through your situation, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
We know one of the most exciting questions is, “When can I move in?” and we’re always as transparent as possible about timescales.
Before construction begins, your anticipated date of entry will be marked as “TBC” (to be confirmed). This simply means the plot hasn’t yet entered the active build programme.
Once your chosen home is formally released for sale and scheduled into construction, we’ll provide you with an anticipated completion window based on our build programme at that time. This estimated timeframe will be clearly outlined in your Reservation Agreement and included within your legal documentation, so you have everything in writing from the outset.
It’s important to remember that this date is an estimate rather than a guaranteed completion day. There are a few factors that can influence build timelines. For example, delays can arise if missives are not concluded promptly or if option selections are still outstanding. External factors such as adverse weather conditions, availability of materials or labour, and service connection schedules can also impact progress.
That said, communication is key. As your home moves through the different stages of construction, we’ll keep you updated with regular progress information so you always know how things are moving forward.
Building a new home is an exciting journey, and while there can be variables along the way, our focus is always on delivering your home to the highest standard and keeping you informed every step of the way.
One of the real joys of buying a new build home is the chance to make it truly yours from the very beginning.
From selecting kitchen finishes and bathroom fittings to considering garden landscaping options, you’ll have the opportunity to add personal touches that reflect your taste and lifestyle. It’s your chance to shape a home that feels right for you, not just on moving day, but for years to come.
After you reserve your new home, you’ll receive a brochure outlining the available choices. This includes our high-quality standard specification as well as a range of optional upgrades, with clear pricing so you can explore everything at your own pace before your design appointment.
We’ll then arrange a dedicated selection appointment, where our Development Sales Manager will guide you through each option. This is a relaxed, informative session where you can ask questions, explore combinations and receive expert advice to help you feel confident in your decisions. We’re here to make the process enjoyable, not overwhelming.
At the time of reservation, we’ll also explain any build stage restrictions or ordering deadlines that may apply. These are simply in place to ensure your chosen options can be delivered and installed within the construction schedule. The earlier selections are finalised, the more flexibility you’ll have.
Designing your new home is an exciting part of the journey and we’re here to help you create a space that feels unmistakably yours from the moment you walk through the door.
At Allanwater Homes, we believe buying a home should feel organised, supportive and straightforward, never confusing.
That’s why we operate a “One Point of Contact” approach. From the moment you reserve your home, our Development Sales Manager will be your dedicated main contact throughout the journey. They’ll coordinate with our wider development team on your behalf and ensure you receive clear, timely updates as your purchase progresses.
If you have a question, need clarification or simply want reassurance, you’ll know exactly who to speak to. No being passed from department to department, just consistent, reliable communication from someone who understands your purchase and your timeline.
Our goal is to make the process feel personal, transparent and well-managed from start to finish so you can focus on the exciting part – preparing for life in your new home.
As part of buying a home in Scotland, you’ll enter into a formal legal agreement known as “missives.” This is a standard and important stage in the process, as it’s the point at which your purchase becomes legally binding.
Missives, or an intimation of conditional missives, must be concluded within your eight-week reservation period. Your solicitor will manage this on your behalf, working alongside our legal team to ensure everything progresses smoothly and within the agreed timescale.
If missives aren’t concluded by the deadline, the reservation may be cancelled and the property returned to the market. Any refund due could be subject to administration costs, so it’s important to keep things moving during this stage.
Once missives are concluded, a £1,000 missive fee is payable within 10 days. This payment is made through your appointed solicitor. Both your £500 reservation fee and the £1,000 missive fee are deducted from the total agreed purchase price of your new home, so they form part of your overall investment rather than an additional cost.
Before missives can be concluded, certain conditions may need to be satisfied depending on your situation. For example, if you’re purchasing with a mortgage, your formal mortgage offer must be in place. If your purchase depends on selling another property, missives for that sale will also need to be concluded.
It’s your responsibility to formally instruct your solicitor and ensure they act on your behalf within the required timescale. If you’re ever unsure about where you are in the process, our Development Sales Manager is always available to guide you and help keep everything on track.
This stage represents a significant milestone bringing you one step closer to owning your new Allanwater home.
As your new home approaches completion and has successfully passed Habitation and Premier Warranty Inspections, we will invite you to attend a New Home Demonstration/Inspection Appointment.
As your new home approaches completion and has successfully passed Habitation and Premier Warranty Inspections, we will invite you to attend a New Home Demonstration/Inspection Appointment.
During your appointment, our Development Sales Manager and Site Manager will personally guide you through your new home. They’ll explain how key features work, including your central heating system, kitchen appliances and other important fittings. You’ll also receive helpful maintenance advice to keep your home running efficiently and looking its best for years to come.
You’ll have time to walk through each room, check finishes and fittings and raise any questions you may have. This is your opportunity to feel confident, informed and comfortable before moving day arrives.
To ensure the experience is focused and informative, we kindly ask that attendance is limited to the new homeowners or a maximum of two adults. This allows us to give you our full attention and make sure you leave with everything clearly explained.
It’s an exciting step, one that brings you right to the doorstep of officially calling it home.
Once your new home has successfully passed its final inspections by Local Authority Building Control and Premier Guarantee, we’ll be able to confirm your official Legal Completion Date. This is another exciting milestone and our Development Sales Manager will be right by your side to guide you through the final steps and ensure everything is ready for handover.
On the day of completion, your solicitor will transfer the remaining balance of your purchase price, minus your reservation fee and any agreed deductions, directly to our solicitor’s account. Legal completion is officially recognised once those funds have cleared in our solicitor’s account, not when they are sent. Because this process depends on the banking system, we’re unable to provide an exact time for when settlement will happen on the day.
For this reason, we kindly ask that you wait for confirmation before arriving at the development with furniture, removal vans or personal belongings. Unfortunately, we’re unable to grant access or release keys until we’ve received formal confirmation from our solicitor that completion has taken place.
As soon as settlement is confirmed, our Development Sales Manager will contact you personally. That’s your green light. You’ll then be invited to the development, where our team will be ready to welcome you and hand over the keys to your brand new home.
It’s the final step in your journey and the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
Our commitment to you doesn’t end when you receive your keys. We’re just as focused on supporting you after you move in as we are during the build process.
Every Allanwater home comes with a 10-year Premier Guarantee warranty, giving you long-term peace of mind. For the first two years from the date you legally complete, your home is covered by our aftercare guarantee. This protects you against any issues relating to workmanship or materials. From years three to ten, the Premier Guarantee provides structural cover, so you can feel confident in the quality of your investment.
Our dedicated aftersales team is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, to help with any queries or concerns. For added reassurance, your New Home Handbook includes 24-hour emergency contact details for plumbing, heating and electrical issues so if something urgent arises, help is always within reach.
It’s also worth knowing that it’s completely normal for a new build home to experience minor settlement during the first few months. Small cosmetic cracks can occur as materials naturally adjust and dry out. These are rarely anything to worry about. If any remedial work is required, our team will coordinate with trusted contractors to resolve matters professionally and efficiently. We aim to address valid snagging issues within 30 working days, subject to contractor availability and access.
Many of the appliances in your new home, such as kitchen appliances and your boiler, are also covered by their own manufacturer warranties. These need to be registered directly by you as the homeowner and we recommend keeping confirmation of registration somewhere safe for future reference.
At Allanwater Homes, we believe buying a home is the start of a relationship, not the end of a transaction. We’re here to support you, answer your questions and ensure you feel confident and comfortable in your new home for many years to come.
While we’re busy building your new home and completing the wider development, your safety and that of your family is extremely important to us.
All active construction areas are clearly secured with Heras fencing and warning signage. These measures are in place to protect everyone on site, so we kindly ask that you take a moment to read and follow any signage and remain cautious when near active build zones.
Where possible, dedicated pedestrian walkways are provided to guide you safely around the development. Occasionally, planning requirements may mean that certain areas require you to walk along the road. In these situations, we simply ask that you stay alert and take extra care.
As work continues on surrounding homes, we ask that visitors, particularly children, do not enter or play within any construction areas at any time. Our site team regularly inspects fencing and gates to maintain security, but if you ever notice anything that concerns you, please report it to our Development Sales Manager. They will ensure the Site Manager addresses it promptly.
There may be times when contractors and their vehicles are present to complete essential works. We always aim to minimise disruption and keep activity as limited and efficient as possible. During this period, we ask that you remain mindful of safety for yourself, your family and any pets.
For everyone’s protection, buyers are not permitted to access their property while it is under construction. Before legal completion, you’ll be invited to a pre-arranged Home Demonstration and Inspection Appointment. At that time, you’ll be escorted to and from your property by the Site Manager and/or Development Sales Manager to ensure safe access.
We truly appreciate your cooperation while we complete your new neighbourhood. Creating a safe environment is part of delivering a quality community and your wellbeing will always remain our priority.
We look forward to welcoming you to your new home and community, where great memories are waiting to be made!