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Buying Guide

Property

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Moving home is one of the most exciting times for a family and we can be easily carried away with the dream of a new house. Therefore, it is important to find out what your real budget is before you schedule any viewings. Most agents will not show a property without an agreement in principle from a potential lender, and never more so than today when viewings of people’s homes must be kept to a minimum. We recommend you start by speaking with one of our approved mortgage brokers to seek a mortgage agreement in principal for once you have your this, you can start viewing properties with confidence. This also puts you in a more robust position when negotiating your purchase as Vendors will know that you are financially qualified and in a position to make a real offer.

Once you know what you can afford you can start your search. Now is the time to do your homework, study the available information, check the photographs and any videos, look at the floor plan and make sure that the property is the size you desire, then once you have found something you like simply contact us to ask any questions you have and to arrange a viewing.

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1.1 Offer Stage

  • Once you have decided on the home of your dreams it is time to make an offer.  Make sure that you consider any essential or desired work on your proposed new home as this will mean you may have less to spend on the purchase.

  • By now you should have an agreement in principle from your lender and proof of deposit to support your offer and show that you are a serious proposition.  This is also the time you consider any requests or items you would like included with the sale, for example to leave white goods or garden furniture.

    There are many possible choices when it comes to selecting a solicitor and we strongly advise you to use a specialist conveyancer who will have the experience and knowledge to guide your sale through to completion.  If you do not already have a solicitor in mind we have a list of recommendations for you.

 

1.2 Offer Agreed

  • We will write to both yourself and the Vendor and both of your solicitors to confirm the sale at which point solicitors will begin the conveyancing process.

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1.3 Conveyancing & Survey

  • Your solicitor will advise you on the legal process for purchasing a property and will pass the purchase funds to the vendors’ solicitor on your behalf on completion. There are a number of bridges to cross to get to this stage and we are on hand for you every step of the way​

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Your lender will need to arrange a mortgage survey to establish how much they think your chosen property is worth and how much they are willing to lend you.

Once the mortgage survey has taken place and the valuation agreed your lender will make you a formal mortgage offer; you are now ready to exchange contracts.

In addition to the mortgage survey you may also wish to consider a Homebuyers report or building survey. The condition, age and construction of the building will suggest if these are required but if you are unsure we are happy to guide you.

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  • Apply for the local authority and water searches once they receive the draft contract from the vendors solicitor.  You will need to have made a payment to them for the searches so do check if this is included in your fee or not.

  • Report to you on the pertinent points of the contract and any potential causes for concern in items such as the title deeds and searches and raise enquiries with the vendors’ solicitor.

  • Offer exchange of contracts and complete the sale including transfer of funds.

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1.4 Exchange of Contracts

  • Once your solicitor is satisfied that all enquiries have been answered and they feel that you can proceed with your purchase with confidence and you have your mortgage offer,  the sales contract will be sent to you for signing. If you are not signing this in their office we suggest that you return it to your solicitor by recorded delivery.  You should also now transfer your deposit by way of bank transfer.

  • In order to exchange contracts you will have agreed with the vendor a suitable completion date.  This date will need to be synchronised with all the parties in the chain and we will usually negotiate and assist in coordinating this with the other agents on behalf of the buyer and seller. Exchange of contracts is legally binding and following this neither party can withdraw without facing the possibility of severe financial repercussions.

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1.5 Completion

  • The time until completion can be both an exciting nervous one but try not to panic, it is extremely unusual for a sale to abort so far along. Your lender now transfers the purchase funds to your solicitor and you will send any top-up funds required so that your solicitor is now in receipt of the full purchase amount. On the day of completion your solicitor will send the entire purchase amount to the vendors solicitor. Once funds are cleared the vendors solicitor will contact us to confirm the sale has completed and that we may now release the keys to your new home.

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