Tops Tips for Buyers

15th January 2004

Darren Thomas

Understanding the process of buying is the first step to purchasing a property.

Know what you want
It is very important to know what you are looking for and where you want to live, either regionally or perhaps more specific. ie. specifying street names. Investigate the area, consider schools, amenities, bus routes etc.

Register your interest
To do this you can call into any of McCartneys 15 offices and register your requirements, including price range, property type, bedroom numbers etc. Alternatively you can register via the internet on McCartneys website by entering your e.mail address with basic information.

The search begins
With a clear understanding of your requirements we will access all properties that match your search criteria. Full details will be sent to you. These can also be printed from our website. However, in order to secure a property, we would recommend an early viewing.

Mortgages
We normally recommend that you take mortgage advice in the early stages of house hunting to establish what you can afford. Our mortgage broker Mr Mark Galliers has access to a huge range of products to suit the needs of most. Their initial advice is free.

Viewings
Once you have identified a suitable property or properties contact our office to arrange an appointment to view.

Making an offer
Once you have found the right property, we’ll put your offer forward to the seller both verbally and in writing. Any offer is subject to a contract being signed and at this stage there are no legal obligations for the buyer to buy, or the seller to sell, until the contract is signed.

Sale agreed
Once we are satisfied that the offer is valid and that finance has been agreed in principle and your offer is accepted by the seller, you will need to instruct a solicitor to proceed immediately. This is a good time to discuss preferred time scales for completion dates. At this stage you should also be instructing your mortgage broker to proceed with your mortgage application and also instruct a surveyor if you are requiring a survey.

Exchange of contracts
Now the contract is signed by the buyer and seller, the deposit (usually 10% of the purchase price) is paid by the buyer’s solicitor. The completion date is set at this stage.

Completion
This is generally set between a few days and a fortnight after exchange of contracts takes place, depending on the seller’s and the buyer’s requirements. The remainder of the money is now transferred from the buyer’s solicitor to the seller’s solicitors. Once the money is received you can collect the keys to your new home. Congratulations!

McCartneys offer a professional estate agency service. Please feel free to use us!

For further advice on the buying process contact your local branch of McCartneys.
Darren Thomas MRICS, 40 High Street, Brecon, Powys. LD3 7AP