Legally, you will need to appoint a solicitor. The service from solicitors/conveyancers varies hugely. We have a selection of preferred options, competitively priced, which we can communicate with and influence. They would still be acting for you and putting your needs first. If you want to use your own choice of solicitor that’s fine, but please avoid searching online looking for a “cheap solicitor.” You may save yourselves a little bit of money, but you could potentially regret it (in my experience)
If you do use your own choice, we will normally be unable to deal with them due to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
It’s our job to get you the mortgage but we have a duty of care to make sure that you and your dependents can stay in the home regardless of circumstance. To help you here our Protection Director and partner will contact you in the next couple of days to introduce themselves and make an appointment to discuss options.
Please understand this is an integral part of your mortgage and its importance should not be underestimated
You cannot complete without the necessary Buildings and contents cover. We can provide a DEFACTO 5 star rated product which is acceptable to your lender and have a higher potential to pay out which fits into our company ethos, as the value of any General Insurance policy should be measured in the claim.
We will contact you to arrange this cover
We state £1,500 as a guide. This cost can of course fluctuate depending on the service you require. If you want everything wrapped and packed for you, it could be significantly higher, if you decide to hire a van and move yourself, it would be significantly lower.
We can offer a competitive and reliable solution here if you need one
There are 3 different types of valuation/survey. The lender will always carry out their own , but you may choose to have your own carried out independently . The value to you is a higher level of detail, and a higher level of protection, think of it as having a look at the MOT certificate before you buy a car. We can supply you with a RCIS qualified surveyor, so please just ask.
1. Mortgage Valuation – For Flats and Houses
Purely for mortgage purpose to give a valuation on property, ensure the property is adequate security for the lender and to make sure there is not anything dramatically wrong with the property. If you have a larger deposit, lenders often conduct desk top valuations/drive buy valuations, or even automated valuations. This means that you will not have a professional even look at the property. These are often free.
2. Homebuyers Survey – For Flats and Houses
A Homebuyer Report is a survey suitable for conventional properties in reasonable condition. Costs start at £450 , the larger/more expensive the property, the higher the cost.This will help you find out if there are any structural problems, such as subsidence or damp, as well as any other unwelcome hidden issues inside and outside.The Homebuyer Report does not look beyond the floorboards or behind the walls.Some home-buyers’ reports include a mortgage valuation, so you might be able to revise your offer if the survey reveals a lower price than the mortgage lender’s valuation.
3. Building Survey – For Houses
A RICS Building Survey is the most in-depth and comprehensive report available. It provides a detailed picture of the property’s construction and condition. This includes the roof, chimney, wall, floor, ceiling, door, and window. A building survey also includes advice on how to deal with certain problems discovered at the property. This includes repair options and the consequences of leaving any potential issues untreated. It is also referred to as a Level 3 Survey.As a guide you should choose an RICS Building Survey if you are dealing with a run-down, larger, or older property, a building that is unusual or altered, or if you are planning major works.
If there’s no valuation included, you could use the report’s suggestions for repairs to renegotiate the price. For example, if it’s going to cost you £5,000 to carry out work on the property’s damp walls, it’s reasonable to offer £5,000 less than the asking price.
When you’re ready to put an offer forward on a property, estate agents typically ask four key questions:
1. Who are you arranging your mortgage through?
2. Do you have an Agreement in Principle (AIP)?
3. Have you appointed a solicitor?
4. What is the source of your deposit?
As part of our service, we’ll confirm all these details to your buying partners, ensuring the process is as smooth as possible.
Need Help Drafting Your Offer?
We’ve created a helpful ‘Making an Offer’ email template to make this step even easier. Simply ask us, and we’ll provide it to you.We’re here to support you through every step of your journey to buying your home. If you have any questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to get in touch.