THE BUYING PROCESS
|
| Register |
We will take detailed information about the location, type and price range of property that you are looking for.
You can register with us in one of three ways: - Once we have this information we can begin sending you details of properties that match your criteria. |
 Return to top
|
| Matching properties |
| We will send you property details on a regular basis; these can be received either by post or by email. In order to avoid any unnecessary delays and the possibility of disappointment, we recommend that you elect to receive details by email. Irrespective of price, all of our property details contain colour photographs, floor plans and location maps to ensure that you have as much information as possible before deciding to view. |
Return to top
|
| Mortgage |
We strongly recommend that all of our buyers get a mortgage agreed in principle as early as possible, as this will speed up the process and reduce the possibility of anything going wrong once you have found a suitable property. Our recommended broker, The St. James's Place Partnership, has access to every mortgage on the market and will find you the most suitable one based on your specific requirements and circumstances.
 |
Return to top
|
| Viewings |
| Viewings are by appointment between 9am and 6pm Monday-Friday and 10am-2pm on Saturdays. Where possible we will endeavour to accommodate viewings outside of these hours where individuals are not available to view during normal working hours. |
Return to top
|
| Making an offer |
| Once you have found a suitable property, your offer will be forward to the seller, both verbally and in writing. You must remember that any offer is subject to a contract being signed and that even if it is accepted there are no legal obligations on either side until the contract is signed. |
Return to top
|
| Legals |
A solicitor will be required to handle the legal paperwork involved. We recommend that you use a solicitor who knows the area that you are moving to and specialises in conveyancing. You may find these firms able to assist you:-
Leigh Davis
Tel: 020 7631 0302 (Andrea Tankel or Robin Leigh)
Cruickshanks
Tel: 020 7487 4468 (John Cruickshank)
Ingram Winter Green
Tel: 020 7845 8400 (Nick Green or Geraldine Paletz)
|
Return to top
|
| Agreeing a sale |
| Once your offer is accepted, you should instruct your solicitor to proceed immediately. At this stage always ensure that exchange and completion dates are agreed. This is also the time to instruct your mortgage broker to proceed with your mortgage application and make arrangements for a survey. |
Return to top
|
| Draft Contract |
| The seller's solicitor will draw up a draft contract and send it to your solicitor, who will then make a Land Registry search and raise some preliminary enquiries. |
Return to top
|
| Local Authority Search |
| Your solicitor will submit a local authority search to either Westminster or Camden councils. The search will give information regarding the likes of planning consents granted for the property and any local issues. |
Return to top
|
| Survey |
| Your mortgage lender will arrange for a survey to be carried out on the property to identify, if necessary, any structural problems and advise on the property's value. |
Return to top
|
| Contract approval |
| Providing there are no further enquiries, as soon as the results of the local search and answers to the preliminary enquiries are received, the draft contract is approved by your solicitor. |
Return to top
|
| Formal mortgage offer |
| This will be sent to your solicitor for you to sign. Once signed and returned your mortgage is in place and you are ready to exchange contracts. |
Return to top
|
| Exchange of contracts |
| The contract is signed by you (or your solicitor on your behalf) and the seller. The deposit (normally the equivalent of 10% of the purchase price) is electronically transferred to the seller's solicitor's account or paid by the buyer's solicitor in the form of a banker's draft. The completion date is also set at this point. Please note, from this stage forward it is your obligation to ensure that you have suitable buildings insurance in place. |
Return to top
|
| Completion |
| This is generally 28 days after exchange of contracts, but can be sooner or later depending on each party's personal requirements. The balance of the monies (usually 90%) is now transferred from your solicitor to the seller's solicitor's account. At this point you are now the legal owner of the property. |
Return to top
|
