TRANSACTIONALS
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN?

The Beginning

You have decided that you want to move house. If this is the first time you have bought a property then there are various matters which you should consider before viewing potential future homes. For information about these, click here.

When you come to see us at the Properties we will serve you with a complimentary tea, coffee or cold drink before seating you with a member of the Team who will assist in your property search. We will take a detailed note of your requirements, to ensure that you are not shown properties which are unsuitable.

The Matching process

We will then access via our electronic database a list of the properties which meet your criteria, for your consideration. We have printed brochures of all properties for sale containing quality colour photographs and detailed descriptions of each room (with measurements). Through state of the art technology we are also able to show you 360 degree virtual tours via our desktop computers or on our large plasma screen. This gives you a real insight into what a property has to offer before deciding whether you want to arrange a viewing.

Once you have registered with us, we can post or email to you a brochure for any new properties which meet your requirements. We recommend that you act quickly once we have sent you details, should you wish to view, as we cannot guarantee that our properties will wait for you!

When you have found a property that you would like to view, we shall arrange an appointment with the owner and accompany you to the viewing.

Your Dream Home

When you have found the perfect property, we shall put your offer forward to the seller. When this has been accepted both you and the seller will need to instruct a solicitor to deal with the legal process of transferring the property to you. Ideally you should instruct solicitors with knowledge of the local area in which you are buying. We have details of a number of solicitors in the area which we can supply you, on request.

Note that neither you nor the seller is under any legal obligation to buy or sell until the sales contract has been exchanged.

At this stage you will also need to progress your mortgage application to ensure that you will have funds in place for the purchase.

Additionally, you will want to arrange for a survey to be undertaken, to ensure that the property is structurally sound and does not have any problems of which you are unaware.

Exchange of Contracts

Once the seller's solicitor has drafted a sale contract this will be sent to your solicitor. Your solicitor will then raise some queries about the property and will undertake Land Registry searches to check that your dream home is not subject to any restrictions or encumbrances which might make you think twice about buying. Another search which your solicitor will undertake is a Local Authority search. This reveals, for example, whether any planning consents have been granted which may affect your property.

Mortgage Offer

When your mortgage lender has approved your application you will be sent a formal offer to sign. Once this has been signed and returned to them your mortgage will be put in place and the sale can proceed.

Exchange

This is the point of no return (at least, not without forfeiting your deposit!). When the sale contract has been agreed the deposit is usually telegraphically transferred to the seller's bank account. A date will be set for completion of the sale (when the remainder of the monies will need to be paid).

Completion

On this date the purchase price is paid (less the deposit) and you become the owner of your dream home. This normally takes place a few weeks after the exchange of contracts, depending of the circumstances of you and the seller.

At this stage we shall send a postcard to 10 of your family or friends with a picture of your new home and your new contact details.