Stepping onto the property ladder is an exciting time, but the process of purchasing your first home can be confusing. In this guide, we walk you through the conveyancing process step by step. Of course, if you have any queries, contact one of our experts for advice.

Initial Instructions

Once you have agreed to the purchase price for the property, your estate agent will forward the details to the buyer’s and seller’s conveyancers.

Although your conveyancer will handle most of the paperwork on your behalf, you should still go through these forms carefully and raise any queries.

When your mortgage application is approved, your conveyancer will obtain a copy of the mortgage offer. At this stage, you should arrange for a property survey to be carried out.

Searches

Your legal representative will carry out searches on the property, including a local authority search. Searches provide essential information, such as the property boundary, rights of way and planning conditions.

Contract And Completion Dat

Your conveyancer will review the mortgage offer, contract pack, and local authority searches.

Assuming there are no issues to discuss, your conveyancer will negotiate a completion date with the seller. Contract exchange and payment of your deposit can then take place. Once you have exchanged contracts with the seller, you are committed to the purchase.

Completion

On the agreed completion date, your purchase will be finalised and the property ownership transferred to you.

Your conveyancer will pay the balance of the purchase price and receive the title deeds, transfer deed, and proof that there are no outstanding mortgages on the property.

Post Completion

After completion, and within 14 days of that date, your conveyancer will forward the property deeds to your mortgage lender, arrange for Stamp Duty to be paid to HMRC (if applicable), and forward your documents to HM Land Registry so that you can be registered as the new owner of the property.

HM Land Registry would forward the title documentation to your conveyancer for onward transmission to the mortgage lender if applicable or to you if you bought the property with cash.

Final Thoughts

Buying a property is a complex process that is best handled by an experienced conveyancer. Here at Bowsers, we have the expertise to manage all aspects of your property transaction from offer through to completion.

Contact us today to find out more about the comprehensive range of legal services that we offer, including conveyancing.