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Home Buying Process


What happens When you have a buyer or have found your ideal home?

The legal formalities of domestic house sales and purchases usually fall into two parts, those leading up to “Exchange of Contracts” and those following exchange up to “Completion” of the transaction.

There is a considerable amount of work that is undertaken in order that two identical contracts can be drawn up – one to be signed by the vendor (the person selling the property) and the other to be signed by the purchaser (the person buying the property).

In addition to the work undertaken by the conveyancers, most purchasers will require a survey to be carried out, either by private instruction or to fulfil the requirements of a mortgage lender, and once this has been undertaken it may be necessary to request further specialist reports. During the entire process you may have to speak with as many as 10 different people.

At White Rose Estates we will undertake the following for you:

Liaise with the Solicitors

We will ensure that any outstanding queries and paperwork are chased up making sure they arrive where they should, when they should.

Speak with other Estate Agents in the Chain.

It is essential that we can monitor the activity of other parties in the chain, therefore we will liaise with all other agents to make sure everything is running smoothly.

Stay in Contact with your Buyers

We will ensure that your buyers are doing everything they need to do , to keep the process moving such as instructing their mortgage survey and paying search fees to their solicitors.

Help answer your questions

Our experience means that we can always be on hand to answer any standard queries you may have relating to the sale of your new home. If there are more specific points that need clarifying we can contact the relevant people for you to help get the answers you require ensuring that we always look after your interest.

Provide you with regular updates

Being kept updated with the progress of your sale is essential. We will telephone you with regular updates at every opportunity.

When both sides are ready, and you and your legal representative are happy to commit to sell and buy, the two signed contracts are dated and swapped over between the Conveyancers. This is the legal “Exchange” and it is at this point that the contract becomes binding – which means that there is no turning back! At this point the date for “Completion” is also agreed.

Completion is the date on which the keys and deeds are handed over in return for the purchase monies and the buyer can move in.

Deal with the Final Handover

As you leave your home we are sure your mind will be on settling into your new abode. Therefore, why not let us hand the keys over to your buyers , saving you valuable time.

You may find that the whole business of moving home is surrounded by jargon. This is the language which professionals use to describe technical transactions. When all this jargon is put together, it can be quite mystifying to people who are not involved in the business on a day-to-day basis. Click here to find a list of some of the most commonly used terms in England and Wales and their meaning in everyday language in PDF format or alternatively we have a JPEG version.

We can also demonstrate by way of a flow chart to help guide you through the process, however please remember we are on hand and will keep you updated as to your position. Click here to reveal our Guide to the Conveyancing process in PDF format or alternatively we have a JPEG version.

Moving Day

And don’t forget.......make sure you are ready for your moving day. The following checklist should help ensure you are organised!

Keys....

  1. Arrange to leave these with your estate agent so that the purchaser can collect them once the Solicitor has confirmed completion has taken place. You can agree arrangements directly with the purchaser if you wish to.

Cancel Payments For.........

  1. Your existing mortgage
  2. Gas, electricity, water rates
  3. Milk, papers
  4. Council Tax if moving to a new area.
  5. Buildings Insurance (From Completion day)

Whatever payment method you use, it is always useful to ask for statements of your account up to the day you move.

Let them know you are moving......

  1. Bank, Building Society
  2. Credit Card Companies
  3. Insurance Companies (car, life Assurance, Health Insurance)
  4. Driving Insurance and Car registration documents
  5. AA/RAC
  6. Doctor, hospital, dentist
  7. Tax Office
  8. Ask for your mail to be re-directed at the post office

Have you read the meter on the day you Move.....

  1. Gas, electricity, water meters
  2. Telephone (Ask your buyer if they will want the telephone. If they do, do not have it disconnected.)

Moving Out.... Book

  1. Removers or hire vans to move yourself.

Please Contact Me.....
Contact the following authorities in the area you are moving to and arrange for the account at your new house to be transferred to your name.

  1. Gas
  2. Electricity
  3. Telephone
  4. Council Tax
  5. Water Rates