Guide to Buying
Step 1: We will contact the seller’s solicitor and request from them:
- A copy of the Title Deeds
- A draft Contract
- A Property Information Form (filled out by the vendors)
- A Fixtures Fittings and Contents List (filled out by the vendors)
- If the property is leasehold - a Leasehold Information Form (filled out by the vendors)
N.B. It may take some time for the solicitor to obtain all of this information.
Step 2: Once you have supplied us with proof of your identity we will require some money up front in order that we may carry out:
- A Local Search.
- A Water and Drainage Search
- A Mining Search (if applicable)
- An Environmental Search (if you require one)
- A Plansearch (if you require one)
We should normally receive the results of these searches within five to ten working days.
Step 3: If you are getting a mortgage, we will need to see a copy of your mortgage offer.
Step 4: Once we have all the documentation listed in steps 1-3 we will ask you to sign the contract. You may come into the office whereby your legal advisor will go through the details with you or we can send it to you in the post with a detailed report on contract. If you are happy with everything then we are now ready to exchange.
N.B. If you are just buying we will also need to get a deposit from you.
Step 5: When both buyer and seller are ready to proceed to exchange a completion date (moving date) is agreed. If there are number of people in the chain this date may require a good deal of negotiating. At this stage any party is still free to walk away from the deal as contracts have not yet been exchanged.
Step 6: EXCHANGE . Once a completion date is agreed we are able to exchange contracts. You are now committed to purchase and cannot pull out of the transaction without incurring major expense. You can now confirm the arrangements and dates with your removal company.
Step 7: COMPLETION . This is the day that you actually move house. We send the balance of the purchase price to your sellers’ solicitors and once they receive the funds the keys will be released to you by the estate agents (unless other arrangements have been made). You can now move in.
N.B. Please be aware that delays can sometimes occur in the transfer of money and this can delay the release of keys. This delay is unavoidable but we will do what we can to minimise any problems. Ideally you should aim to be ready to move in by lunchtime at the earliest.