Home Buying Process

STEP 1: Request Home Information Pack for properties with 4 or more properties

The buyer’s solicitor contacts the seller’s solicitor to request the home information pack which consists of:

• An index
• Evidence of title
• Standard searches
• Energy performance certificate
• Sale statement

STEP 2: Request mortgage offer
A copy of the mortgage offer is required where applicable. Once all the following documents are held: contract, copy of title deeds, property information form, fixtures, fittings and contents form, Local Authority search and additional searches (where applicable), and a mortgage offer (where applicable) – you will be asked to sign the contact. If you are only buying, you will be asked to put forward a deposit, but if you are buying and selling then this will generally not be needed.

STEP 3: Enquiries raised and answered
All the above documents are checked and problems with the property are discussed with you. Once enquiries have been answered, you are ready to exchange contracts.

STEP 4: Exchange of contracts
Once the buyer and seller are ready, a completion date can be set and contracts can be exchanged. After the contract has been exchanged the contract is binding and neither party can withdraw. At this time you should have arranged building insurance as the property will now be your risk.

STEP 5: Completion day
On the completion day, the remainder of the purchase money is transferred to the seller’s solicitor and in return the transfer documents and the title deeds are received.

STEP 6: After completion
Your solicitor arranges for the the payment of stamp duty (if appropriate) and applies to register the ownership at the Land Registry.