The buying process

Buying a home should be an exciting and joyous occasion. Here at Samuel Estates, we will hard to make it just that. It can be a complicated process, whether you are an experienced or first-time buyer. Still, we can help you secure the home of your dreams or help you take that all-important first step on the property ladder.

While we’ll support you every step of the way and be on-hand to help whenever you need us, we’ve designed this step-by-step guide to help you through the process of buying property.

Step one: Getting your finances in order

It’s a good idea to get your mortgage agreed in principle as early as possible. Your mortgage in principle will confirm how much you can afford to spend on your new home.

We can recommend several Independent Financial Advisors (IFAs) who can assist you in finding the most suitable mortgage – so that’s one less moving cost to think about!

Step two: Start viewing

Once you’ve arranged your Mortgage Agreement in Principle and you know what you’re looking for, the fun really starts.

We’re available to make appointments or show you around at times to suit you.

Visit our offices or call anytime from 9.30 am to 7 pm Monday – Friday; 9 am to 4.30 pm Saturdays; Sundays by appointment.

Step three: Submitting an offer

Once you’ve found your perfect property, you will need to submit an offer which we’ll put forward to the seller, both verbally and in writing. You may need to demonstrate that you can proceed by providing evidence of your mortgage agreed in principle.

How to decide on your offer

How much you offer is up to you and may depend on how busy the market is. In a slow market, you may be able to get away with a lower offer, particularly if the property has been on the market for a while. However, if the market is booming and/or you have lost out on another property, you may decide to offer the full asking price. Your buying position will also affect the sale negotiations; some factors will be to your advantage:

  • If you are not in a chain, the seller will feel more confident that you can complete the purchase without undue complications
  • First time or cash buyers will also be an advantage
  • If you have sold your own house, subject to contract, your offer should be taken seriously

What to do if your offer is rejected

You can put in a higher offer, but it’s not a good idea to get involved in a bidding war. You don’t want to end up offering a lot more than the house is worth.

Step four: Appointing a solicitor

Once your offer has been accepted, you will need to appoint a solicitor so that the property can be legally transferred from its current owner(s) to you.

It is a good idea to use a solicitor who knows the area that you’re moving to and specialises in conveyancing. We have a selection of tried and tested solicitors who are experts in property and whom we’re happy to recommend.

Step five: Sale agreed

At this point, we will send out a Memorandum of Sale to all parties confirming the price, any special conditions negotiated as part of the sale and the names and addresses of both sets of solicitors. You will also need to instruct your Mortgage Advisor or bank to proceed with your mortgage application and make arrangements for a survey.

Step six: Conveyancing

The vendor’s solicitor will draw up a draft contract and send this to your solicitor. Your solicitor will then examine the contract and carry out a search with the Local Authority which will reveal any planning consents granted for the property, plus any local issues. Questions that arise from this search are sent to the vendor’s solicitors for further clarification. We will assist your solicitor throughout the process, keeping you informed every step of the way.

As part of the conveyancing process, your mortgage lender will require a basic survey of the property, and a surveyor will book this on their behalf. As well as what is known as the basic valuation, there are two additional types of survey:

  • The homebuyer’s report
  • Buildings survey

Which you choose to have may depend on the type of property you’re buying. After the mortgage valuation report is received, your lender will send a formal mortgage offer to you and your solicitor.

Complaints Procedure

Step seven: Exchange of contracts

You’re almost there! Before the official exchange, you’ll need to finalise and sign your mortgage documents, transfer your deposit to your solicitor and sign your contract. At this point, the terms of the sale become legally binding, which means that your deposit is non-refundable if you change your mind.

Equally, the seller is obliged to sell to you at the price you’ve agreed. Once the exchange has taken place, you can look forward to the completion date when the money is transferred, and the property legally changes hands. This can take place within a few days to a few weeks following the exchange of contracts, depending on you and your seller’s requirements.

Step eight: Completion & Getting the Keys!

The moment you have been waiting for has arrived. On the day of completion, your solicitor will pay what you owe to the seller’s solicitor. Once you’ve had the call to confirm that the money has been transferred, we will receive a call from the seller’s solicitors to confirm completion has taken place. We will then notify you that the keys are ready for collection from one of our offices.

As experienced estate agents, we offer invaluable advice during the offer stage of your purchase. We can advise you of the correct way to put forward an offer on a property you want and help you in the negotiations.

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Our office locations

Balham

45 Bedford Hill
London
SW12 9EY

Colliers Wood

30 Watermill Way
London
SW19 2RT

Streatham Common

432-434 Streatham High Rd
London
SW16 3PX

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