Property Details

As a buyer you will either find a property via one our sales offices, on this easy to follow website or on one of our portal partner property websites, or through our email updates for registered buyers. If you have found the property on a portal site, please make sure that you are well acquainted with the property details on our site. We provide floor plans, virtual tours, photography and full descriptions as opposed to the sometimes limited range of information elsewhere. From June 1st 2007 you can ask the estate agent to provide you with the information from the Home Information Pack (HIP), more to follow

Calculate your finances

Before you do anything, speak to a mortgage broker who will find you the cheapest and most appropriated arrangement in your circumstances. Otisdale can recommend an advisor who can offer this service.

Instruct a solicitor

It is important to have a solicitor in place who is based within easy reach and knows your target area. You should choose a solicitor with experience in property conveyancing. If you would like, Otisdale would be more than happy to recommend one to you.

Arrange a viewing

To arrange a viewing, simply call the office dealing with the property you wish to view.

The viewing

Please make sure that if you have any problems in making your viewing that you give us as much notice as possible. After the viewing we will call you to request feedback which we pass on to the vendor.

Making an offer

If you like the property and wish to make an offer, please ring the office as soon as possible. Please do not make an offer directly to the vendor.

Offer acceptance

On acceptance of your offer we ask you to supply us with any outstanding information including proof of finances and confirmation of the sale of your own property. Terms of the agreed sale are then drafted by us - this is called the sales memorandum.

Survey

Your lender will usually arrange for a survey, so contact them. Once the survey has been done, your lender should approve or reject the mortgage offer within 3-10 days. If you are a fully cash buyer, you can arrange for your own survey to be done by a Chartered Surveyor. See the RICS website (www.rics.org) or Otisdale can suggest a local surveyor.

Conveyancing

This will change from June 1st 2007, however, currently the solicitor will respond to enquiries raised within the 'Sellers Pack' which comprises: contract, vendor's questionnaire form, fixtures and fittings form, planning consent, buildings regulations, guarantees etc. When the solicitor is satisfied with the purchase, a report is sent to you.

Local Authority Search

Instruct your solicitor to carry out the local authority search. This is submitted to the local council and establishes any current planning or other local issues.

Exchange of contracts

Once the contract is ready to sign you will be required to put down a deposit, usually 10% of the purchase price. This will be handled by your solicitor, as will the setting of a completion date. Upon completion you have to pay the stamp duty.

Completion

This occurs a short time after the exchange of contracts. Any outstanding money will be paid by your solicitor to the vendor's solicitor. Congratulations on moving into your new home!