Owning the house of your dreams can be a fulfilling process, but you have to go through a lot before getting there. Specifically, you have to concern yourself with the conveyancing process, the proper means to purchase and sell properties. There are also many things to take note of, so you have to ensure you know the basics at each step of this massive transaction.
This article acts as your guide to the home purchase procedure by looking into the two main stages: the pre-conveyancing phase and the time after your offer is received. Take this as an opportunity to be well-informed about your duties as the buyer. This way, you can get the home you want and not have to go through the painstaking process of being clueless and overwhelmed by each stage.
Stage #1: The Pre-Conveyancing Process
The first stage consists of doing the necessary preparations to ensure your real estate transaction is as seamless as possible. You must decide on your mortgage and your preferred conveyancer. Accomplish the following steps to do so:
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Have a mortgage set based on your needs and preferences
You need to have a mortgage in place to show the real estate agent, seller, and conveyancer that you are serious with your offer. If you don’t, you can be tagged as a mere distraction, and they will look into other more serious clients, leading you to miss out on great offers. Therefore, you should have a mortgage and know which type to have, like a fixed-rate mortgage or offset mortgage. Consult with a mortgage advisor for further information.
There are also relevant changes to the mortgage procedure due to COVID-19, as the UK finds itself in a recession. It means you can expect both you, as the buyer, and different sellers to be affected. You may even have to push back your real estate acquisitions, depending on your financial situation.
As a response, many lenders are changing their offers and reducing their rates, allowing you to have a more budget-friendly experience with your purchasing process. It is recommended to work with a mortgage broker to compare and pick the ideal offer to meet your needs and preferences.
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Look for a professional conveyancer and coordinate dates
The conveyancer’s main goal is to ensure your purchase’s legalities, meaning what you want is someone well-versed in property law, has prior experience with other clients, and underwent professional training. Due to this, you must ensure your conveyancer or solicitor is recognised by the following institutions: Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), Solicitors Regulation Authority, and the Law Society of Scotland.
You can also expect different pricing for legal services, so you need to compare conveyancing quotes. Remember, it is not simply about picking the cheapest offer since you may expect a better quality of service from higher offers. Just ensure you operate on a “no sale, no fee” basis and determine if you are getting fixed-fee conveyancing.
Once you have chosen someone, confirm their offer and tell them when you intend to make offers with sellers. It shows courtesy since you can expect many clients to be handled by just one conveyancer or solicitors, especially during the end of the year or the start of a new one, wherein a lot of transactions are made.
Stage #2: The Actual Conveyancing Process
Getting your offer accepted and having a set agreement with the seller can feel fulfilling. In actuality, it is when the real work starts. You can expect things to move quickly, so you at least have to know what is going on to ensure you don’t fall behind. Remember the following steps:
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Open your case with an offer
You need to request the professional assistance of your conveyancer once the offer is accepted. You need to provide the agreed sale price, the seller’s full name, and their current residence. Don’t forget to also inform your real estate agent regarding your solicitor choice to ensure proper accountability.
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Settle on a mortgage process paperwork
Your mortgage should be finalised at this point since you are going to receive paperwork from your conveyancer about the draft contract and the deposits required. You may need bank statements and confirm with your lender that you can borrow for the set property value.
Once you have returned all the documents to your conveyancer, the seller’s conveyancer will give you a contract pack with the Fitting and Contents Form and Property Information Form. Pay close attention to the contents since this is where you will see what is included with your purchase.
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Oversee property searches
Your conveyancer will survey the property under the approval of the local council. This step is when the legal and environmental issues will be made known to you. There is also water and drainage checks done to ensure you have proper plumbing. At this point, you may either decide to carry on with the purchasing process or rescind if it doesn’t meet the standards. AS such, close coordination with your conveyancer is recommended.
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Review the draft contract based on searches
After the searches, you will review your contract with your conveyancer. This step is when you will have a better idea of what kind of repairs are needed, and other crucial details about the property will be disclosed. Note that this usually happens two to three weeks after the draft has been agreed upon. You can also go through your pre-contract enquiries as your conveyancer details all the relevant information.
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Settle for a completion date and deposits
You must agree on a date with your seller, allowing both parties to transact what is needed to make the process legally binding. You also need allowable time to make the deposit, make proper arrangements with a removal company, and relay all the necessary details to your conveyancer. Ensure you give yourself enough time to avoid breach of contract.
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Exchange contracts
The exchange of contracts indicates that the transaction of funds for real estate is bound by a law agreement, meaning if you withdraw, you can expect financial penalties. Your conveyancer will accomplish this step with the seller’s conveyancer. After this, you should expect your mortgage company to do some checks and then release the funds for transfer during the completion day.
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Competition day commerces
Completion day is the final step of the solicitation process, meaning the ownership of the property will be in your name. You should have your finances in order as the conveyancer will request them from your lender and send the seller’s conveyancer the proceeds of the sale. You will then receive the keys to the house, the title deeds, transfer documents.
Conclusion
Buying a house is one of the most massive, significant purchases you can make. You need to know the basics and have good professional relationships to ensure its success. Fortunately, you now have a comprehensive understanding of what you need to do. Just remember all the previously mentioned information and start looking for an ideal real estate offer that fits your needs and preferences.
Are you in need of the best-value conveyancing services for your house buying process? Look no further than to our solutions at Conveyancing Calculator. We are your convenient means to coordinate with professional CLC-licensed conveyancers and property solicitors, allowing you to compare quotes and find the perfect offer in just a few clicks. Grab the opportunity today by moving forward with your real estate transaction!
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