Dealing with the legal side of things ...
To buy your perfect home, you’ll need a solicitor. Here’s our simple guide to what’s involved.
Solicitors make sure everything goes smoothly when it comes to the buying process. They also handle all the various searches you’ll require when purchasing a new home. Here’s how the legal side of things works:
- First, you need to seek and request quotes from various solicitors and obtain written estimates of their fees, including VAT. It’s worth checking that these quotes include local authority searches, land registry fees and stamp duty.
- Then you need to select a solicitor to act on your behalf.
- You will need to provide your appointed solicitor with proof of your identity.
- Your solicitor will advise on the terms & conditions of your missives (the legal agreement to buy) and the title deeds.
- Following this advice, and once you have understood and are satisfied with the missives, you will then be able to sign your missives in conjunction with your solicitor with confidence.
- Your solicitor will settle your outstanding mortgage, if appropriate, and complete the purchase of your new property. This legal transfer of property ownership is referred to as “conveyancing”. For a guide to this and other property jargon, see our Jargon Buster.
- Your solicitor will liaise with your mortgage broker or bank to arrange the funds for settlement of the purchase of your new home on your scheduled day of entry.
- Your NHBC documentation will be handed over to you on settlement via your solicitor.
- A home information pack will be provided to you by your sales consultant.
