Buying Guide

We recognise that right from the start it's helpful for you to know the complete process of buying a property. For any queries or help with finding your new home, contact us at Homecare Estates on 020 8395 8111. Here are the steps involved: 1. Finding a property at Homecare Estates is made easy through our online source of properties. 2. You may need to secure a mortgage. 3. A solicitor will need to be instructed. 4. If you require a mortgage, the lender will insist on carrying out a valuation on the property. This is normally carried out by a qualified surveyor. 5. It is often advisable to upgrade the valuation survey to a home buyers report or a full structural survey at an additional cost. 6. The Vendor’s Solicitor supplies a draft contract, title deeds, the HIP and any other information on the property to your Solicitor. 7. Your solicitor will check the contract, arrange for a local search and raise any queries with the Vendor's solicitor. 8. Once your solicitor has approved the contract to buy, you will need to agree an exchange date and a completion date. 9. You provide the Vendor with the deposit before exchange of contracts via your Solicitor. 10. Signed contracts are sent to you from the Vendor via your Solicitor. 11. Contracts are exchanged and you arrange buildings and contents insurance.  12. A completion date is set by both sides. This is normally 2 to 4 weeks after the date of exchange. 13. Upon date of completion your solicitor pays remainder of purchase price to Vendor's solicitor. 14. The Vendor’s solicitor confirms completion of sale and arranges for keys to be handed over. 15. You are now the owners of a new property. Congratulations! When you buy a property you will also incur costs such as solicitor's fees, purchase deposit, property insurance, surveyor's fees, removal firm fees, services, such as any utilities that may need to be re-connected.