Buying Guide

Buying a home is one of life’s biggest decisions.

Whether you’re taking your first step onto the property ladder, looking for more space or searching for your forever home, Indigo Estates is here to make the journey as straightforward and enjoyable as possible.

From finding the right property to collecting your keys, we’ll help guide you through every stage.

Check Your Residential Status

Before beginning your property search, it’s important to understand your residential status and eligibility to purchase property in Jersey.

Different housing qualifications can affect which properties you’re entitled to buy, and some homes may carry additional restrictions.

Our advice: Check your status before starting your search. If you’re unsure, our team can help point you in the right direction.

Check your residential status at gov.je: https://www.gov.je

Understanding Property Ownership

Jersey has three principal forms of residential property ownership, each with different legal considerations.

Freehold, You own the property and its land, subject to any applicable rights or restrictions.

Flying Freehold, Common with apartments, providing ownership of an individual unit alongside shared rights and responsibilities for communal areas.

Share Transfer, You purchase shares in a company that owns the property, giving you rights to occupy a particular unit.

Our advice: Your lawyer will explain the ownership structure and any associated obligations before you proceed.

Finding the Right Property

Finding the right home is about more than the asking price. Consider your preferred location, budget, accommodation, outdoor space, parking, schools, commuting and future lifestyle needs.

At Indigo, we take the time to understand what matters most to you, helping you discover properties that genuinely suit your circumstances.

Our advice: Think beyond your immediate needs and consider how your next home will work for you in the years ahead.

Making an Offer

Once you’ve found the right property, we’ll help you put forward an offer that clearly outlines your proposed price, financial position, any property you need to sell and preferred completion date.

We’ll present your offer to the seller, manage negotiations and keep you informed throughout.

Our advice: A well-prepared offer can make a real difference, particularly when there are competing buyers. Your lawyer can advise on any legal commitments or conditions.

Mortgage & Finance

Understanding your borrowing capacity early can make the buying process considerably smoother.

A mortgage adviser can assess your deposit, income and existing commitments, helping you establish a realistic budget and understand your financing options.

Indigo works alongside experienced local mortgage advisers who understand Jersey’s property market.

Our advice: Explore your mortgage options before making an offer so you can proceed with greater confidence.

Surveys & Property Condition

A professional survey can identify structural concerns, maintenance requirements or potential issues that may not be obvious during a viewing.

The appropriate survey will depend on the property’s age, construction and condition.

Our advice: Arrange your survey early enough to investigate any concerns and understand potential costs before committing to your purchase.

Property Searches

Your lawyer may recommend searches to identify important information about the property, including matters that aren’t immediately apparent during a viewing.

The searches required will depend on the property and the circumstances of your purchase.

Our advice: Discuss the available searches with your lawyer early in the process.

Legal Formalities

Your lawyer will investigate the property’s title, ownership, boundaries, rights of way, restrictions and other relevant legal matters.

They will also coordinate the necessary legal documentation, lender requirements and identity and source-of-funds checks.

Our advice: Appoint your lawyer early and provide requested documentation promptly to help avoid unnecessary delays.

Costs, Taxes & Expenses

Alongside the purchase price, you should budget for legal fees, surveys, mortgage-related charges and any applicable Stamp Duty or Land Transaction Tax.

The costs involved will depend on the property, ownership structure and your individual circumstances.

Our advice: Ask your lawyer for an estimate of your total purchasing costs before proceeding.

Completion & Moving In

Freehold and flying freehold purchases are completed through Jersey’s Royal Court, while share transfer properties follow a different legal process.

Your lawyer will coordinate the final requirements and confirm when your purchase has completed.

Once everything is finalised, it’s time to collect your keys and begin the next chapter in your new home.