TWELVE golden rules for moving into your new home before Christmas are being shared by a regional law firm.

Amy Leslie, a solicitor at Napthens' Kendal office, said good preparation can help buyers feel more in control.

"With the added pressures of Christmas around the corner, sticking to these few simple rules can help move a purchase along more quickly," she said, "or at least give buyers a realistic idea of what to expect from the process and perhaps get people moved into their dream home in time for putting up the Christmas lights.”

1. Contact your solicitor immediately to discuss the purchase in detail.

2. Ask the estate agent how long the chain is and what the sellers’ circumstances are. Can they move into alternative accommodation to speed up the process?

3. Think carefully about the type of survey you may need and discuss the options with a surveyor.

4. Once happy with your survey, ask your solicitor to send out searches straight away.

5. Ask your solicitor to notify you as soon as the sellers’ contract papers arrive.

6. Check with your mortgage lender the timings for the issue of the mortgage offer.

7. If your sellers are separating or divorcing, be prepared for the purchase to take longer as their lawyer will probably have to communicate to them separately.

8. Hold off booking a removals firm until you have exchanged contracts. Until then, you and your seller are not bound to proceed on a specific date so plans could change.

9. Ask to view the property plan; are there any obligations affecting it that you need to know about?

10. Keep asking questions, as the more knowledge you have of your own purchase, the better it will assist you and help plan your move.

11. Your lawyer will usually send information to you on an ongoing basis regarding the property, but don’t be afraid to ask for information.

12. Lastly, keep in regular contact with the estate agent and ask them to help to push matters forward with your seller.