Buying a home
We recognise that purchasing a property is the most important and expensive transaction you are likely to undergo and you need to best people to advice you. We are sure that with our local knowledge and expertise, we will be able to find you a property to suit your needs and progress the transaction smoothly. To enable you to unravel the complexities of buying your home, we have set out below an overview of the various procedures involved:
Registration
The first requirement is for you to register your details and property specifications you can call us on 0208 0165 333 or complete our registration form. This will give us an insight into your personal requirements, thereby enabling us to modify the details sent to you.
Fully accompanied viewings
Our friendly team are at your disposal and will accompany every viewing. Our offices are open 6 days a week from 09:00 – 18:00 Monday to Friday and Saturday 09:00 – 17:00. Please contact us to arrange a mutually convenient time – 0208 0165 333.
Mortgage
In order to speed up your house buying process, it is advisable wherever possible; to get a mortgage agreed in principle before any final decision on your new property is made. This has the advantage of providing you with a clear indication of what is affordable and the fact that you have a mortgage agreed in principle is also attractive to sellers.
Making your offer
Once you have located your ideal property, your offer will be submitted by us to the vendor for their consideration. This is done both verbally and in writing.
NB: Please note that all offers are “subject to contract” and therefore neither party is legally bound until the contract is actually signed.
Accepted Offer/Instructing Solicitor
As soon as your offer has been accepted by the vendor, you should instruct a solicitor to act on your behalf. Your solicitor will handle all legal requirements of your purchase (property conveyancing).
At this point, you also need to formally proceed with your mortgage application and instruct your mortgage consultant/broker accordingly.
Survey
The next step is to obtain the Mortgage Valuation, as required by law. This will be conducted by a Chartered Surveyor acting for your Lender. The report is to provide a Valuation i.e. determine whether the amount to be loaned is secure and also deals with the basic condition of the property. Since you as the buyer are also provided with a copy, it allows both parties to evaluate the findings prior to entering into a commitment to purchase.
Searches
These are conducted by the buyer’s solicitor who submits a local authority search to the local borough council. Its purpose is to ascertain if there is any planning consented previously granted on the property or if there are any other local issues which may have an impact on the purchase. In some instances, the search may also include an Environmental and Drainage search.
Draft Contracts
The draft contract is drawn up by the seller’s solicitor and is forwarded to the buyer’s solicitor for consideration. Any additional queries or questions will be asked and answered and the contract amended accordingly, subject to final approval.
Mortgage Offers
The Lender is now in possession of the Mortgage Valuation survey and, subject to the findings of this report; receipt/approval of the mortgage application and provided all references and checks have been conducted satisfactorily, the Lender will send a formal mortgage offer to the buyer and their solicitor. The document is then signed and returned and funds requested by the buyer’s solicitor.
Exchange Contracts
Once the contract has been signed by both parties, a deposit (normally a small percentage of the purchase price) is paid by either bank transfer or banker’s draft. At this stage, the parties agree on a date for completion.
Completion
Completion usually follows a few days or weeks after exchange of contracts. The balance of the purchase price is transferred by the buyer’s solicitor to the seller’s solicitor and the keys released – Congratulations! You are now the owner of your new home!
There are two types of survey available:
- 1. HOMEBUYER SURVEY/VALUATION – this is the mid-range option as it is more expensive than the Mortgage Valuation but less than the Building Survey (see below).
It is a basic service and therefore more appropriate to properties in apparently good condition and conventionally constructed. The survey’s purpose is to highlight any pressing or significant defects and problems which are likely to have an overall impact on the value of the property.
The objective of the Homebuyer Survey is to provide a more in depth report which will assist the buyer in making an informed decision whether to proceed with the purchase and also whether the agreed price reflects the actual value. Moreover, the professional opinion of the surveyor as contained in his report will also set out particular features of the property which may possibly have an affect on the present value and potential future marketability. - 2. BUILDING SURVEY – Unlike the Homebuyer Survey, this is suitable for all types of property whether conventional or unconventional. The term “unconventional” encompasses properties that have an unusual construction, are historic or Listed Buildings, have been extensively altered or where major work is planned.
The Building Survey is comprehensive and lists full technical details of the construction, materials and condition. It highlights the full spectrum of defects from the more serious down to the insignificant and the terms of the survey are therefore tailored to fit the client’s specific needs.
However, it should be noted that this does not include a valuation and is only conducted by prior agreement.