If you’re buying or selling a home, you’ll need a conveyancer or property solicitor to deal with the paperwork involved. However, the process can be complicated and confusing and Lesley Price FCILEx of CGM Solicitors provides a quick guide to the steps that you will go through during your purchase and what some of the terms you will hear actually mean
EXCHANGE Of CONTRACTS
This is the stage at which the seller becomes legally bound to sell the property to the buyer and the buyer becomes legally bound to purchase the property from the seller. At any stage before this either party can withdraw from the transaction. To exchange contracts a buyer has to pay part of the purchase monies (the deposit) which is usually 10% of the cost and a completion date is agreed.
COMPLETION
This is the date that the balance of the purchase monies is paid through the solicitors and the buyer can move into the property and the seller must leave the property.
SURVEY
If you are obtaining a mortgage to purchase your property you will have to pay for a valuation. However, this is a limited report for the benefit of your lender. You would therefore be advised to have your own survey carried out. This can be a full structural survey or a lesser one known as a Homebuyer’s Report.
DEPOSIT
This expression is used in two ways. First, as the amount of money that a purchaser is putting into the property, in other words the difference between the mortgage amount and the purchase price, and second the sum of money which is paid by the purchaser at exchange of contracts.
GIFTED DEPOSIT
It is quite common nowadays, particularly with first time buyers, for parents to give their children some money to help them purchase a property. This is known as a gifted deposit. It has to be reported to the mortgage lender who has to approve the gift.
COVENANTS
These are restrictions which affect some properties. If you are purchasing a freehold property there may be restrictions, which were put on the land when it was built or at a later time. They can include uses of the land such as restricting it to a private dwelling house among other restrictions.
DISBURSEMENTS
When you purchase a property, you have to pay out disbursements. These are simply payments to other people and include such things as search fees, Stamp Duty and land registry fees.
MORTGAGE OFFER
You may receive an agreement from your mortgage lender to lend you money at the beginning of the transaction. However, when a solicitor refers to a mortgage offer they mean a written offer of mortgage which sets out all the details and conditions.
KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Know your budget and bear in mind there will often be additional expenses that will arise during the process.
- Make sure you have saved up some money as a contingency for this.
- Pick a legal adviser you feel comfortable with and that you can communicate with clearly and effectively.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the professionals involved. It is their job to make sure you understand what you are committing to.
- Be realistic on timescales. If you try to rush things, then you may add to your own stress levels if things don’t quite go to plan.
Any questions? We are here to help. We specialise in a wide range of property matters and transactions so please contact us at enquiries@c-g-m.co.uk
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