Buying a Property

 

Buying

We recognise that  the purchase of your home is likely to be the most important and expensive transaction you are likely to undergo. Our website features various properties for sale and we are sure that with our local knowledge and expertise, we will be able to find you a property to suit your lifestyle and needs, whether a straightforward move, a ‘Buy to Let’ investment, renovation project or even a plot of land. To enable you to understand what’s involved in buying a property, we have set out below an overview of the various steps involved:


Registration

The property market can be extremely competitive and fast-moving, but we can give buyers that register with us a competitive advantage. By registering your requirements through our website, by telephone, by emailing or in person, we can find out exactly what you are looking for and help you be the first to know of newly-listed homes and properties about to come onto the market, often before they are listed on the major property portals.

 

Mortgage: How much can you afford?

Before you begin searching, it is advisable to arrange your finances and, if required, have a mortgage agreed in principle. We work closely with Premier Plus Independent Financial Advisors who are a reputable and established local company with access to the entire mortgage market, to help find you the best mortgage available.

 

Are you selling too?

If your move will involve selling your current home, it is advisable to advertise your current property before looking for a new home. Being ready to sell means you are less likely to miss out on your dream home.

 

Viewing

Our friendly team are available to arrange your all-important viewings of carefully selected properties. Our offices are open Monday to Friday from 9.00 a.m. to 6p.m. and Saturday 10.00 a.m. to 4p.m. We are also often able to arrange viewings after office hours in certain circumstances. To book a mutually convenient appointment, please contact us.

 

Find the right property

With new listings each week and our nose to the ground, we will help you find the property that’s right for you.

 

Making your offer

Once you have found your ideal property, your offer will be submitted by us to the Seller for their consideration. This is done both verbally and in writing. At this point you may need to demonstrate that you can proceed by providing evidence of your mortgage in principle and solicitor details. NB: Please note that all offers are “subject to contract” and neither party is legally bound until the contract is signed and exchanged. (Please see below)

 

 

Your offer is accepted

Once your offer is accepted, we will do the following:

  • Prepare a memorandum of sale
  • Confirm the agreed price with all parties
  • Confirm your Conveyancer and mortgage details

You will now need to instruct your Conveyancer to start the conveyancing process on your behalf and arrange for your mortgage adviser to proceed with your application.

 

Instruct a Conveyancer

A successful purchase can depend on the service of an efficient and professional conveyancer. We work closely with one of the region’s most reputable conveyancers. (Please see our conveyancing page hyperlink)

 

Conveyancing

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

  • Raise any enquiries on your behalf after receipt of the draft contract from the seller's conveyancer
  • Request Local Authority and other necessary searches
  • Check and approve the terms and conditions of the sale contract and agree on a date for exchange of contracts

We will work with your conveyancer and help progress your purchase throughout the buying process, keeping you informed every step of the way.

 

Survey and mortgage offer

A valuation of the property will be booked by a surveyor on behalf of the mortgage lender. After the mortgage valuation report is received, a formal mortgage offer will be sent to you and your conveyancer.  You should check to see if the offer needs to be signed and returned to your lender.

 

NB:  A buyer cannot rely on the Mortgage Valuation as the inspection is limited and is for the Lender's purposes only. Although it may cost a little more to obtain a more detailed report, it could you save you money in the long run. There are two types of survey generally available: a homebuyer's report or a full structural survey. We can recommend a surveyor for you should you wish to instruct one.

 

Exchange of contracts

Exchange of contracts occurs when you and your conveyancer are satisfied with the legal searches and enquiries, your financial arrangements are in place and any mortgage offer you have applied for has been received . Both you and the Seller sign the contract. Your Conveyancer will also require your deposit if you are buying only. This is usually 10% of the purchase price. Once a mutually convenient date for a completion day has been agreed by you and the seller. The contracts are exchanged, and the Deposit is sent to the Sellers conveyancer. From this moment on the contract is a legally-binding agreement.

 

Completion 

Completion day is the day agreed with your seller in your contract. The balance of the purchase price is transferred from the buyer’s conveyancer to the seller’s conveyancer. Once this is done the are keys released and you are now the owner of your new home. Congratulations!