Property Buying Process

Before you begin your property search, it is advisable to arrange your finances and, if required, have a mortgage agreed in principle. This will confirm how much money you will have to fund the purchase, which will ultimately influence your property search.

The first step to finding the right property is to register with us either by calling us on 02087418485 or visit our office where you can discuss your property requirements. You can also register your interest about a specific property online if you are short of time.

Once we have a clear understanding of your requirements you will receive a selection of properties that match your criteria. We can also keep you constantly up-to-date via email and SMS alerts when the latest properties become available.

We’re open at times to suit you, by appointment for after work and at weekends. In order to secure a property we recommend an early viewing. We will chauffeur you to your viewings ensuring you arrive in a relaxed frame of mind and accompany you throughout so that we are on hand to answer any questions immediately and advise where necessary.

The successful purchase of a property can be reliant on the instruction of an efficient and experienced solicitor. It is a good idea to use a solicitor who knows the area that you’re moving to and specialises in conveyancing. We have a selection of tried and tested solicitors that are experts in property who we would be happy to recommend.

Once you have identified a suitable property we will put your offer forward to the seller both verbally and in writing stating any special conditions of the offer. You may need to demonstrate, if requested, that you are able to proceed (e.g. provide evidence of your mortgage agreed in principle). There are no legal obligations on either side until contracts are signed.

Once your offer is accepted we will do the following:

• Prepare a memorandum of sale
• Write to all parties to confirm the agreed price
• Ask you to confirm your solicitor’s and mortgage broker’s details
• Instruct your solicitor to proceed with the conveyancing process and your mortgage broker to proceed with your application.

As part of the conveyancing process your solicitor will do the following:

• Raise any enquiries on receipt of the draft contract from the seller’s solicitor
• Request their own local searches
• Refer to the information already provided in the seller’s information pack
• Agree on a date for exchange of contracts

We will assist your solicitor and negotiate throughout the process, keeping you informed every step of the way.

A survey of the property will be booked by a surveyor on behalf of the mortgage lender to identify any structural problems and advise on the property’s value. After the mortgage valuation report is received, a formal mortgage offer will be sent to you and your solicitor which you will need to sign before it is returned. You are still under no legal obligations until contracts are signed.

Exchange of contracts occurs when all enquiries have been confirmed and agreed. Once the contract has been signed by both parties the deposit (usually 10% of the purchase price) will be telegraphically transferred or paid in the form of a banker’s draft from your solicitor to the sellers’ solicitor. The completion date is then set by mutual agreement.

Completion is when the residual monies (usually 90%) are transferred from your solicitor to the seller’s solicitor’s account. We will release the keys once the money has cleared in the seller’s account. Congratulations, you are now the legal owner of your new home!