Process checklists
Checklist: buying a property
The steps of a purchase, in order, with what to check at each one.
Updated 21 Oct 2026
1. Prepare
- Set your budget, including fees and taxes your lawyer tells you about
- Decide how you will pay: savings, a loan, or a mix
2. Find and view
- View in person or by video; visit more than once if you can
3. Check the property
- Ask to see the ownership documents (title deed / carta) and the lease, and have a lawyer check them
- Confirm who is selling and that they may sell
4. Agree a price
- Make an offer; nothing is agreed until a written sale agreement is signed
5. Complete
- Your lawyer handles the agreement and the transfer; pay only as the agreement says
- Collect the keys and all documents
This guide is general information, not legal, financial or professional advice. Check anything important with a qualified professional.