Purchasing A Property

Buying a house is one of the biggest financial decisions that you will make in your life. It is a lengthy and complicated business, which while exciting is often fraught with stress and worry. But luckily there is a lot of good advice around helping you to make your home-buying experience as easy and problem-free as possible.

Here is our step by step guide to assist you with your new purchase.

1. The first step is to register with us by calling us on 0207 088 8418 or alternatively use the information in our contacts page so we are able to get a clear understanding of your requirements. Once we have this you will receive a selection of properties that match your criteria.
2. It is advisable to get your finances, including your mortgage, agreed in principle as early as possible, as having to organise finances after you have found a property can result in losing out to another person who is ready to go.
3. If you require mortgage advice then please let us know and we can put you in touch with our independent mortgage advisor.
4. When it comes to viewings we open at times to suit you, convenient for viewing after work and at weekends, we will arrange times that are suitable with both you and the vendor.
5. Once you’ve found a suitable property, we’ll put your offer forward to the seller, both verbally and in writing. Any offer is subject to contracts being signed.
6. A solicitor will be required to handle the legal paperwork involved (known as conveyancing). We are happy to recommend local solicitors to assist you with the legal aspects of your home purchase.
7. Once your offer is accepted, you will need to instruct your solicitor to proceed and exchange and completion dates will be formally agreed, your mortgage broker will also proceed with your application for finance.
8. A draft contract is drawn up by the seller’s solicitor and sent to your solicitor, who will raise some preliminary enquiries.
9. A survey of the property will also be booked by a surveyor on behalf of the mortgage lender to identify any structural problems and advise on the property’s value.
10. Once results of the local search and answers to the preliminary enquiries are received, the draft contract is approved by your solicitor, providing there are no further enquiries.
11. A formal mortgage document will be sent to your solicitor for you to sign. Once signed and returned, your mortgage is in place and you are ready to exchange contracts.
12. Exchange process requires the contract then needs to be signed by you and the seller. The deposit is telegraphically transferred or paid by the buyer’s solicitor in the form of a banker’s draft.
13. The completion date is then set.
14. Completion is generally set a few days to a few weeks after exchange of contracts, depending on each party’s personal requirements.
15. Residual monies are transferred from your solicitor to the seller’s solicitor’s account.
16. Congratulations, you are now the legal owner of your new home!