Halfapercent: Buyers - The Buying Process

Buying Process:

Property Details

As a buyer you will either find our property in our sales property section, or on one of our portal partner property websites, or through our email updates for registered members. If you have found the property on a portal site, please make sure that you are well acquainted with the property details on our site. We provide floor plans, virtual tours, photography and full descriptions as opposed to the sometimes limited range of information elsewhere.

Calculate your finances

Before you do anything, speak to our 'whole of market' mortgage broker who will find you the cheapest and most appropriated arrangement in your circumstances, click here to read more

Instruct a solicitor

It is important to have a solicitor in place who is based within easy reach and knows your target area. You should choose a solicitor with experience in property conveyancing. If you would like we would be more than happy to recommend one to you. (mail us: ys@halfapercent.com).

Arrange a viewing

Before you arrange a viewing, you must be registered with us, with your full details filled in. Our vendors do the majority of their own viewings and as we hope you understand they expect us to pre-qualify any potential buyer. When you find a property that you wish to view, simply click on the arrange a viewing button or ring us on 0871 424 0 424. When organising a viewing we request that you provide us with a number of time and date options that are convenient to you and in line with the vendor's availability.

Viewing confirmation

To confirm a viewing we send you a confirmation email and an SMS reminder giving you the date, time, full address, map and contact details together with any further instructions. If you prefer, we are more than happy to use telephone or fax.

The viewing

Please make sure that if you have any problems in making your viewing that you give us as much notice as possible. After the viewing we will send you a request for feedback, which we would ask you to fill in promptly.

Making an offer

If you like the property and wish to make an offer, please ring or email us at the office as soon as possible. Please do not make an offer directly to the vendor

Offer acceptance

On acceptance of your offer we ask you to supply us with any outstanding information. Terms of the agreed sale are then drafted by us. (sales memorandum)

Survey

Your lender will usually arrange for a survey, so contact them. Once the survey has been done, your lender should approve or reject the mortgage offer within 3-10 days. If you are a fully cash buyer, you should arrange for your own survey to be done by a Chartered Surveyor. See the RICS website (www.rics.org)

Conveyancing

The solicitor will respond to enquiries raised within the 'Sellers Pack' which comprises: contract, vendors questionnaire form, fixtures and fittings form, planning consent, buildings regulations, guarantees and in the case of leasehold properties - Accounts, projected future works to the property etc. When the solicitor is satisfied with the purchase, a report is sent to you.

Local Authority Search

Instruct your solicitor to carry out the local authority search. This is submitted to the local council and establishes any current planning or other local issues.

Exchange of contracts

Once the contract is ready to sign you will be required to put down a deposit, usually 10% of the purchase price. This will be handled by your solicitor, as will the setting of a completion date. Upon completion you have to pay the stamp duty.

Completion

This occurs a short time after the exchange of contracts. Any outstanding money will be paid by your solicitor to the vendor's solicitor so reach for the Champagne!

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