Buying Process

The best way to determine this is obtain an agreement in principle from a mortgage lender with just a few questions about your circumstances and your finances lenders or mortgage brokers will be able to give you a clear idea of how much you can spend on your property purchase and with an agreement in principle from a lender in place this will give your estate agent and the vendor the reassurance that you can afford any potential offers you make.

Knowing what you’re looking for will help make your buying process much easier. Deciding on location, size of property, and any specifics specifications such as private gardens, freeholds, off street parking are key to finding the right property for you and will enable us to help you efficiently with your search.

Viewings can sometimes feel as if they are over in a second or two and you can often walk away without the answers you were looking for. Let us know about any questions you may have prior during or after the viewing and we will happily answer them for you.

A solicitor is a key element in the buying process so choosing a reliable, efficient and locally based firm who also specialises in conveyancing.

Once we have found you a suitable property we will propose your offer to the seller both verbally and in writing and confirming any special conditions of the offer. At this point we would also need proof that you are in a position to proceed with the offer and would generally like to see an agreement in principle from your lender. At this point the transaction is not legally binding.

When your offer is accepted, we will aim to take the property off the market. You now need to instruct a solicitor. If you need to find a solicitor, ask for a few quotes and follow up personal recommendations.

Instruct your solicitor to start working on a contract. They will also send the seller a list of questions to answer, including a questionnaire asking which fixtures and fittings they intend to leave when they move out.

You will now need to instruct lender to carry out a survey to value the property within a few days of the offer being agreed. Its valuation will be very simple and you should arrange your own survey to get an idea of what problems there may be with the property.

To save money, it can sometimes be worth asking the lender’s surveyor to also put together a survey for you in the form of Homebuyers which is a more in-depth survey than the lenders standard valuation.

A good surveyor will talk to you before the survey to find out if you have any particular concerns and discuss these issues with you once he/she has completed the survey.

After your solicitor has completed all the necessary checks you’ll be asked to sign a contract legally committing you to the purchase. At this point you will need to pay a deposit for the property typically 10% of the purchase price. At this point you will agree a date to complete the sale.

This is when the property finally becomes yours. When your solicitor tells you that the sale is completed you can pick the keys up from our office. This will probably be the day that you move in, unless you are having work done in advance. It is likely to be a stressful day, even if everything goes according to plan, but should feel worthwhile after your first night in your new home.