Excellent experience start to finish – always very responsive to any queries and the turnaround on the property I was buying was very quick, even in the busy time leading up to stamp duty deadline. Jenny was always very helpful and went above and beyond to close on a short timescale.
Buying your first house or moving to a new property is one of life’s largest and most exciting hurdles.
If you are thinking about buying or selling your home, careful research and preparation is essential for making sure you know exactly what you’re doing and that the right choices are made. Our residential property solicitors have outlined the common pitfalls to avoid and offered top tips for people buying and selling houses to help you benefit from a smooth and straightforward move.
For Buyers
We understand that purchasing a new house can be both thrilling and daunting, especially if you are a first time buyer. By making sure that you think practically throughout the process, this can help you to find a house that will meet both your current and future needs.
As a starting point, you may want to look into getting sound mortgage advice in order to determine the best deal. Figuring out a workable budget – and sticking to it – is also of the highest importance, as this can help you to find a new abode that works for you financially.
Questions to ask on viewings
As you start to view houses, asking the right questions can help you to determine whether a property is a good investment.
Examples of the type of questions you should ask include:
- How old is the central heating, insulation and boiler?
- Is planning permission pending or granted?
- Is there access to the cellar or lift?
- Have there been any issues with the neighbours?
You may also want to ask about council tax and utility consumption in order to get an idea of what your monthly outgoings would be when living in the property.
Once you have decided on a property, you should then carefully select the right survey for your needs and requirements, whether that is a condition report, homebuyer’s survey or full building survey.
For Sellers
By fully preparing yourself for a sale and knowing exactly what to expect from the process, you can maximise your chance of getting and accepting a favourable offer on your home.
You should become fully aware of the condition of your house, and you may wish to ask a local estate agent for a market appraisal and any cost efficient improvements that could be made to make the property more marketable. This can put you in the best position for negotiations, and give you a chance to fix problems before your house goes on the market.
You may also want to ask your solicitor to review your title to make sure all land registry registrations are up to date to ensure a smooth sale. Preparing your home for viewings and accommodating any potential buyers can also help to increase interest in the property.
Contact us for further advice and support
Our residential property solicitors are highly experienced in helping people to buy and sell their homes, and we also offer legal guidance to housing developers, landlord and tenants.
If you require any legal support as you buy, sell or let a house, get in contact with Davis Blank Furniss on 0800 0284 396 for an initial consultation. Whether you need help with residential conveyancing, mortgages or tenancy agreements, our team will be able to look after all your legal matters for a stress-free experience.
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