Once you have registered and you have found your home, the steps are as follows:
Step 1
After agreeing terms of purchase, instruct Solicitor to act.
Step 2
The buyer pays his solicitor monies for searches so that these can be submitted as soon as the draft contract is received.
Step 3
The buyer’s mortgage survey takes place plus any further survey that the buyer has requested to be carried out.
Step 4
When the draft contract is received the buyer’s solicitor will check the copies of the title deeds received, the property information forms, (plus if leasehold, a copy of the lease and leasehold information) and raise any enquiries on the paperwork with the seller’s solicitors that appear necessary.
Step 5
The buyer’s solicitor will raise searches using the plans attached to the deeds.
Step 6
The buyer’s solicitor will receive the results of the searches that he has carried out against the property and raise any further questions of the seller that the results may require.
Step 7
The buyer and the buyer’s solicitor will both receive copies of any mortgage offer being obtained by the buyer.
Step 8
The buyer’s solicitor will prepare a written report to the buyer on the property based on the searches, deeds and replies to enquiries received. This explains in clear non-technical language the important legal aspects of the title and other matters relating to the property.
Step 9
The buyer then signs the contract and pays his solicitor the deposit monies of the purchase price. If you are selling and buying at the same time, usually your seller will accept the same deposit on your purchase as you receive on your sale and you should not, when buying and selling, therefore, need to pay any deposit. Any deposit you do pay is, of course, credited to you when the final accounts are prepared.
Step 10
The solicitors exchange contracts fixing a moving date and making the sale of the property legally binding on both parties.
Step 11
The buyer’s solicitor notifies the buyer’s mortgage company (if any) of a completion date.
Step 12
The buyer’s solicitor prepares a financial statement showing the monies required from the buyer to be able to complete the purchase of the property.
Step 13
The seller and the buyer organise practical arrangements such as removals in readiness for completion.
Step 14
The buyer puts his solicitor in funds to be able to pay for the property plus his solicitor’s fees and disbursements (stamp duty, land registry fees, etc.).
Step 15
The buyer’s monies (and mortgage monies if appropriate) are received by the buyer’s solicitor and the balance of the purchase price is remitted electronically to the seller’s solicitor.
Step 16
The buyer collects the keys and moves into the property.
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