Step-by-step guide to buying

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Getting finance in place

We advise purchasers to have their finances sorted before starting the buying process. If money is tied up in shares or investments, it is a good idea to ensure that funds can be accessed easily and without delay to avoid holding up the buying process. If a mortgage is required, we advise that you contact a mortgage advisor.

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Get Registered

Either register online, through the website or by telephoning or calling the office. Once registered, we can match you to properties and alert you to any new properties that become available. Contact us if you are interested in viewing a property.

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Instructing a solicitor

We advise buyers to appoint a solicitor as soon as they begin searching for a property to ensure that the buying process moves along as quickly as possible.

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Making an offer

Once you have made an offer, we will pass it on to the seller as soon as possible. We will need to ask you how you intend to fund the purchase. If you have a mortgage arranged, we will need an Agreement in Principle (AIP) document. We will need details of your financial advisor, and, in the case of cash buyers, we will require evidence of finance.

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Offer agreed

If your offer is accepted, we will contact your solicitor, the seller's solicitor, and their solicitor and confirm the details of the sale in a Memorandum of Sale. Offers are not legally binding until contracts have been exchanged.

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Survey and mortgage offer

If you are buying with a mortgage, the lenders will require a survey of the property, which they will usually arrange through us. Once they have received a satisfactory survey report, the lender will issue a mortgage offer to your solicitor. If you would like a survey for your interest, we can provide the details of reputable surveyors.

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Exchange of contracts

Once contracts are exchanged the sale becomes legally binding on both sides. Exchange can only take place when you have paid a cleared deposit (usually 10% of the purchase price) into your solicitor’s account. Your solicitor will inform you and then us when the exchange has taken place. The completion date is then set by mutual agreement and is contractually binding.

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Completion

Completion occurs when you transfer the remainder of the purchase price to your solicitor by the agreed completion date and the purchase is then finalised. Your solicitor will contact you and us when this has happened and we will release the keys to you.

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