Property Search
Buying Property
The buying process
Buying property can be a complicated process. This step-by-step guide has been designed to walk you through the process of buying property.
Call 01353 661367 to find out how much your property is worth
Our step by step guide to buying property
Step 1 Register your interest
The first step is to register with us either by calling us on 01353 661367 or you can visit our Littleport Office where you can discuss your property requirements with one of our local agents.
You can even register on line if you are short of time.
Step 2 The search begins
With a clear understanding of your requirements you will receive a selection of properties that match your criteria.
Please click on Latest Properties to view a list of our current properties, complete with photographs. In order to secure a property, we recommend an early viewing.
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Step 3 Mortgage
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It is advisable to get your finances, including your mortgage, agreed in principle as early as possible, as having to organise finances after you have found a property can result in losing out to another person who is ready to go.
We have a few recommended brokers, who have access to every mortgage on the market and can search the entire market to find you the best mortgage deals and rates.
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Step 4 Viewings
We're open at times to suit you, convenient for viewing after work and at weekends:
Our offices are open 9am-5pm Monday to Saturday. Our phone lines are open 9am-5pm, 6 days a week.
Our agents are available for longer viewing appointments after these hours - over 40% of viewings are carried out after work and at weekends.
Step 5 Making an offer
Once you've found a suitable property, we'll put your offer forward to the seller, both verbally and in writing. Any offer is subject to contracts being signed.
There are no legal obligations on either side until contracts are signed.
Step 6 Legal
A solicitor will be required to handle the legal paperwork involved (known as conveyancing).
It is preferable 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 that are experts in property transactions who we would be happy to recommend.
Step 7 Sale agreed
Once your offer is accepted, you will need to instruct your solicitor to proceed immediately.
At this stage it is a good idea to discuss exchange and completion dates.
This is also the time to instruct your mortgage broker to proceed with your mortgage application and make arrangements for a survey.
Step 8 Searches and Surveys
A draft contract is drawn up by the seller's solicitor and sent to your solicitor, who will raise some preliminary enquiries.
Your solicitor will either request their own necessary searches or will use the information already provided in the seller's Home Information Pack.
A survey of the property will also be booked by a surveyor on behalf of the mortgage lender to identify any structural problems and advise on the property's value.
Step 9 Contract approval and mortgage offer
Contract approval
Once results of the local search and answers to the preliminary enquiries are received, the draft contract is approved by your solicitor, providing there are no further enquiries.Formal mortgage offer
This document will be sent to your solicitor for you to sign. Once signed and returned, your mortgage is in place and you are ready to exchange contracts.-
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Step 10 Exchange of contracts
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The contract then needs to be signed by you and the seller.
The deposit (usually 10% of the purchase price) is telegraphically transferred or paid by the buyer's solicitor in the form of a banker's draft.
The completion date is then set.
Step 11 Completion
This is generally set a few days to a few weeks after exchange of contracts, depending on each party's personal requirements.
Residual monies (usually 90%) are now transferred from your solicitor to the seller's solicitor's account.
Congratulations, you are now the legal owner of your new home!
