A reservation deposit of either £2,000 or £4,000 (+ 7% IVA) secures a property. Contracts are usually exchanged about 4 to 6 weeks later, when 30% or at most 40% of the purchase price is paid.

There will be no more to pay until completion, and the property can be sold at any time thereafter. Naturally most growth will be achieved if the property is held for longer and only sold just ahead of completion.