Buying Process

At Sovereign Estates We have the best Independent Mortgage Advisers who have a panel of 1500 lenders open to them to get the right mortgage FOR YOU !!!!

Start scanning the internet and local newspapers and register with estate agents. If you see a property you want to look at, call the agent and arrange a viewing.

Decide what you are looking for in a property - whether you need parking and a garden, how many bedrooms you need, if it's a flat, whether you want it to be freehold or leasehold - and pick an area on which to focus your search. Consider what you want out of the location - are local schools, transport links and shops important to you?

Start scanning the internet and local newspapers and register with estate agents. If you see a property you want to look at, call the agent and arrange a viewing.

When you find somewhere you like, make an offer. Before you do so, try to get as much information from the estate agent as possible. Ask how long it's been on the market and if the seller wants a quick sale. Many buyers initially make an offer below the asking price, and often this is accepted. You may want to start low and negotiate with the agent to find a price that satisfies both parties. But if you want to be sure you get the property you like - and you think it is worth the asking price - you may want to offer the full amount straight away.

If your offer is accepted, ask the estate agent to take the property off the market and find a solicitor. If you need to find a solicitor, ask for a few quotes and follow up personal recommendations.

Paperwork
Instruct your solicitor to start working on a contract.

Surveys
Find out if there are any hidden problems by arranging a survey of the property.
Your lender should arrange a surveyor to value the property within a few days of agreeing the mortgage in principle. Its valuation will be very simple and you should arrange your own survey to get an idea of what problems there may be with the property. To save money, it's worth asking if the lender's surveyor will also put together a homebuyer's report for you - you will have to pay for that, but not the valuation on top.

After your solicitor or conveyancer has completed all the necessary checks you'll be asked to sign a contract legally committing you to the purchase. At this point you will need to pay a deposit for the property - usually at least 5% of the price. At this point you will usually agree a date to complete the sale.

Completion
This is when the property finally becomes yours. When your solicitor tells you that the sale is completed you can pick the keys up from the estate agent.

You can now move your possessions to your new home.