Know the Differences: Canada vs. UK

What's inside

• 01 — Who's actually on your side. Estate agents represent the seller by default; here's when you need your own buying agent.
• 02 — Making an offer. What "accepted" really means, and why it isn't the green light it sounds like.
• 03 — Chains, gazumping & gazundering. The risk that lives in the gap between offer and exchange.
• 04 — Mortgages as a non-resident. Deposit requirements, lender pools, and what a Decision in Principle actually commits you to.
• 05 — The survey nobody requires. Why a UK property inspection is optional, and why that's riskier than it sounds.
• 06 — The legal process. Conveyancing — searches, enquiries, and identity checks that run 8–12 weeks.
• 07 — Exchange of contracts. The moment that finally matches what "accepted" meant back home.
• 08 — Completion & moving day. A separate day from exchange, sometimes weeks later.
• 09 — Stamp duty & total costs. The one part of this system that already feels familiar.
• 10 — Leasehold vs. strata. Why almost every London flat isn't quite owned the way you'd think.