How to Become the Most Attractive Buyer When Upsizing Your Home for the First Time
Upsizing is an exciting step, but it’s more than just gaining extra space. It’s about putting yourself in the strongest position to secure your dream home in a competitive market. From finances to strategy, the right preparation can make you the most attractive buyer when moving up.
If you’re thinking about upsizing, moving from your current home to a bigger one, you’re about to take a big step in your property journey. But upsizing isn’t just about choosing a bigger kitchen or an extra bedroom. It’s also about making sure you’re in the best possible position to secure the home you really want, especially when the market is competitive.
Estate agents and sellers deal with all sorts of buyers some ready to go, others not so much. And when offers come in, it’s not always about the highest price. It’s often about who’s most prepared to move forward quickly and smoothly.
This guide will show you how to become that buyer, the one who estate agents recommend and sellers prefer. With practical tips and examples throughout, we’ll walk you through what to do (and what to avoid) to give yourself the best chance of success.
🧠 First Things First: What Makes a Buyer "Attractive"?
To put it simply, the most attractive buyers are those who:
- Are organised and ready to move quickly
- Know their budget and have mortgage approval in place
- Have already put their current home on the market (or sold it)
- Have a solicitor ready to start the paperwork
- Keep in touch and don’t go quiet once things get going
It’s about being reliable and prepared. Not just hopeful.
Example: A couple in Hampshire secured a four-bedroom home despite offering less than a competing buyer. Why? They had a mortgage agreement, their current home was already sold, and they had a solicitor lined up. The seller chose them because they looked ready and serious.
💷 Step 1: Get Your Finances Sorted Early
Before you even start booking viewings, make sure you’ve spoken to a mortgage advisor or broker.
Get a Mortgage Agreement in Principle
This is a letter from a lender showing how much they’re likely to let you borrow. It’s not a full mortgage offer, but it proves you’re financially checked out and ready to go.
- It usually lasts 60–90 days
- You’ll need basic info about your income and any debts
- Estate agents will ask for it if you want to make an offer
Know What You Can Afford
Upsizing often means borrowing more, but lenders look at your full financial picture, not just your income. Things like car finance, childcare costs, and credit cards all factor in.
A mortgage broker can help work this out and find you a deal that suits your needs.
⚖️ Step 2: Choose and Instruct a Solicitor Early
Many upsizers make the mistake of waiting until they’ve had an offer accepted before choosing a solicitor. Having one in advance puts you ahead of the competition and makes you look serious to agents and sellers.
- Ask your trusted agent, friends or family for a recommendation
- Check online reviews for reliability and communication
- Make sure your solicitor handles both selling and buying
Once you choose one, let them do the ID checks and paperwork early. That way, when the time comes, you’re ready to move fast.
📆 Step 3: Be Realistic About Timings
In the UK, buying and selling takes time and you’ll often be part of a property chain, meaning your move depends on other people’s timings too.
Here’s what to expect:
- Getting a mortgage: 2–4 weeks
- Legal process (conveyancing): 8–12 weeks, sometimes longer
- Surveys and paperwork: 1–2 weeks to arrange, then more time if anything needs fixing
- Moving day (completion): Usually happens 1–2 weeks after contracts are exchanged
Don’t promise a super-quick move if it’s not realistic. Sellers will appreciate honesty more than optimism.
🔗 Step 4: Get Your Current Home on the Market ASAP
If you're upsizing, the biggest mistake you can make is not having your current home for sale when you start looking for your next one.
Sellers want buyers who are already in a strong position. If your home is sold or at least under offer it gives them confidence that your move is real and can happen soon.
Quick tips:
- Get a valuation from 2–3 estate agents
- Choose one who’s honest about pricing and has good local knowledge
- Avoid overpricing, it will slow everything down
Example: A family in Hampshire put their home on the market and accepted an offer before house-hunting. When the right home came up, they were the strongest buyer on the table and got it, even with competition.
💰 Step 5: Show You’re Financially Stable
Being a reliable buyer also means showing you have your money in order. That includes more than just your mortgage.
You’ll also need to budget for:
- Stamp duty – check the current rates for second-time buyers
- Solicitor fees
- Survey costs
- Removal companies or storage
- Mortgage broker fees (if any)
Make sure you can access your deposit easily, if it’s tied up in ISAs or investments, let your solicitor know early.
🏘 Step 6: Build a Good Relationship With Estate Agents
Agents can be your biggest ally, but they need to know you’re serious. Keep in touch, be clear about what you’re looking for, and respond quickly when they contact you.
Things that help:
- Share your mortgage agreement
- Let them know your property is under offer (or when it will be)
- Be clear about your budget and timelines
If agents trust you, they’ll often tell you about new homes before they’re listed online.
🧭 Step 7: Know the Market Before You Make an Offer
Do your research so you’re not guessing when it’s time to make an offer.
Tools to use:
- Rightmove and Zoopla – check what similar homes sold for nearby
- Land Registry – for official sold prices
- Talk to local agents – they’ll tell you if prices are rising or slowing
🏠 Step 8: Plan for the Survey Stage
After your offer is accepted, your lender will arrange a basic valuation, but this is for them, not you. You’ll want a more detailed survey to check the condition of the home.
Types of survey:
- Homebuyer Report – best for newer or well-maintained homes
- Full Building Survey – for older or unusual properties
Book this quickly to keep things moving. If anything worrying comes up, speak to your solicitor or agent. Don’t panic. Many problems can be fixed or negotiated.
🚫 Avoid These Common Upsizer Mistakes
Here are some things that make buyers look unprepared, or worse, unreliable:
- ❌ Waiting to list your home until you find your dream one
- ❌ Not having your mortgage sorted before offering
- ❌ Choosing the cheapest solicitor without checking reviews
- ❌ Assuming you can move in a few weeks when your own buyer isn’t ready
- ❌ Going quiet once your offer is accepted
Being clear, honest, and proactive will always work in your favour.
🎯 Final Thoughts: You Can Be That Buyer
You don’t have to be a cash buyer or offer the most money to win in a competitive market. You just need to be the buyer that sellers and agents trust to get the deal done.
Here’s a quick recap of how to stand out:
- ✅ Get your mortgage agreement early
- ✅ Choose a good solicitor and start the paperwork now
- ✅ List your current home before you start house-hunting seriously
- ✅ Know your budget and costs
- ✅ Keep agents informed and stay in touch
- ✅ Research the local market so you can make smart offers
- ✅ Be ready for surveys and quick decisions
Thinking of upsizing and not sure where to start?
At Avocado Property, we help sellers become the buyers that sellers want to sell to. From valuing your current home to managing the full move, we’ll help you plan every step with clarity and confidence.
Let’s get your next move right, from the first conversation.