Buyers Guide

The Property Hub Guide to Purchasing Your Ideal New Home

Discover the key steps to acquiring your dream home in Wembley and the Brent and Harrow area with our straightforward buyer's guide.

The process of buying a new home is both exhilarating and slightly anxiety-inducing, regardless of your prior experience. Fortunately, you are not alone in this journey, as we are here to provide you with transparent and candid advice.

 Organise your Finances

Before starting your search in earnest, it is advisable to make sure your have the means to finance the purchase. This could entail getting a mortgage agreed in principle and putting your current property on the market.

A vendor is also more likely to accept your offer once you have found your ideal home if you are in a position to buy.

If you would like to speak to our independent mortgage advisor, please let us know.

 The Search

When embarking on the search for a new house, there are several important factors to consider. Firstly, location plays a crucial role, as it determines the convenience of daily life, proximity to amenities, and accessibility to work or schools. Additionally, the neighbourhood's overall ambiance should align with your preferences and lifestyle.

Carefully assess the size and layout of the property to ensure it meets your present and future needs. Consider factors such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, storage space, and the overall flow of the living areas. Evaluate the condition of the house, including its structural integrity, maintenance requirements, and potential for renovations or upgrades.

Read the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the property to asses energy efficiency, and check the presence of essential amenities like heating, power, and adequate plumbing should also be taken into account.

And of course. factor in the financial aspects, including the purchase price, property taxes, and potential maintenance costs. By thoroughly considering these aspects, you can make an informed decision and find a new house that meets your requirements and fulfills your aspirations.

 Appointing a Solicitor

A conveyancing solicitor plays a crucial role in assisting a buyer throughout the property purchasing process. Their primary responsibility is to handle the legal aspects of the transaction, ensuring that all necessary steps and procedures are followed accurately. They conduct searches to unveil any potential issues related to the property, such as planning restrictions, environmental risks, or outstanding debts.

The solicitor reviews the sales contracts, negotiates terms and conditions with the seller's solicitor, and ensures that all legal requirements are met before the exchange of contracts. They also facilitate the transfer of funds, handle the registration of the property with the appropriate authorities, and oversee the completion of the sale.

Ultimately, a conveyancing solicitor safeguards the buyer's interests, providing professional guidance and expertise to ensure a smooth and legally sound property purchase.

We can recommend a trusted and verified conveyancing solicitor if you haven't appointed one yourself. 

 Initiating an Offer

After you have confirmed your offer verbally and through email, and we have ascertained that you possess the necessary financial capability to proceed with the purchase, we will present your offer to the property vendor. We will include pertinent information such as your market position, whether you are part of a property chain, or your ability to purchase within a specified timeframe.

In the event that your initial offer is not deemed acceptable, there may be an opportunity to negotiate more favorable terms with the vendor.

Once our vendor accepts your offer, the selected property will be marked as "SOLD - Subject to Contract."

 Offer Accepted

If you have not already done so, it is crucial to engage a conveyancing solicitor and inform them of your intentions.

If you require a mortgage, you will need to arrange a mortgage survey with your lender to secure mortgage approval.

Subsequently, various searches will be conducted to identify any local development plans that might affect your property in the future, as well as risks related to flooding, environmental damage, and previous or proposed mining activities that could impact the structural integrity of the property.

Mandatory Anti-Money Laundering checks are also carried out to ensure that your funds are derived from legitimate sources before the exchange.

During this period, the vendor's solicitor will prepare the sales contracts and negotiate the terms and conditions with your solicitor. This process will encompass details of the sale, such as what is included or excluded, such as fixtures, fittings, curtains, carpets, built-in white goods, and garden sheds. Further negotiations may be necessary until both parties reach an agreement on the contract.

Once all these steps are completed, you can proceed to the "Exchange of Contracts" stage.

 Exchange of Contracts

At this juncture, both parties have reached an agreement on the contract terms and are ready to sign and exchange contracts.

Upon completion of this exchange, both you and the vendor are legally committed to finalise the sale and purchase of the property.

Subsequently, you will be required to pay the deposit to the vendor's solicitor, who will hold it until the completion.

The agreed completion date, the deadline by which the sale must be finalised, will also be determined at this stage.

 Completion

Once the remaining balance of the sale price, excluding your deposit, has been transferred from your bank or lender to the vendor's solicitor's bank and has cleared, you will receive the keys to your new home.

The vendor's solicitor will then transfer the title deeds into your name and register them with the Land Registry.

Congratulations! You are now the proud owner of your new home.

 Finalising Loose Ends

Upon completion, your solicitor will attend to several tasks, including the payment of Stamp Duty to HM Revenue and Customs, if applicable.

Additionally, they will register you as the new property owner with HM Land Registry and transmit the title deeds to your lender if you have a mortgage. If you are a cash buyer, the title deeds will be sent directly to you.

If you have any further questions on the home buying process, or are ready to begin your search, contact our friendly and helpful team today.