There are three keys stages to buying or selling your home:

STAGE ONE – Sale Agreed

Buyers Solicitor Asks for your money on account of expenses Receive contract and other papers from seller’s solicitors and asks for any additional enquiries necessary Carry out local authority searches (Land, water, e.t.c) Asks you to agree the property information form Receives mortgage offer from lender if applicable Reports to you with contract for signature and requests deposit Sellers Solicitor Applies for your title deeds and land registry copies Asks you to complete a property information and fixture, fittings and contents forms Prepares a contract and sends it to the buyers solicitor and answers any further questions the buyers solicitor may have Negotiates the move date (completion)

STAGE TWO – Exchange of contracts – after this the sale becomes legally binding

Buyers Solicitor Sends contract and deposit to seller’s solicitor Prepares transfer and mortgage deed before sending them to you to sign Arranges final searches Prepares final searches and requests any fees due Sellers Solicitor Confirms completion date Receives the buyers deposit Obtains a settlement figure from mortgage lender Approves the transfer deeds and arranges for you to sign it

STAGE THREE – Completion

Buyers Solicitor Sends the balance to sellers solicitor and receive deeds in return Pays any stamp duty if required Registers the transfer with the land registry Sends the title deeds to the lender Sellers Solicitor Receives balance of purchase price Pays off the balance of the mortgage Hands the deeds to the buyers solicitor Sends you the balance or uses it towards any purchase of another property

Conveyancing Guide – Re-Mortgaging:

Re-mortgaging is slightly different to buying or selling because there are fewer parties involved and you will already own your home. However we have simplified the process into three stages.


STAGE ONE – Initial Steps

Re-Mortgage Solicitor Request title deeds and redemption statement from existing lender to determine any monies still outstanding Awaits mortgage offer and check title documentation

STAGE TWO – Offer Received

Re-Mortgage Solicitor Check any special instructions from the lender. In some cases it may be required to carry out searches. Forward mortgage deed to you for signature Send you the redemption statement Agree a completion date

STAGE THREE – Completion

Re-Mortgage Solicitor Often a weeks notice is required for a completion date On completion date pays off your existing mortgage Collects any legal fees and disbursements Forwards any remaining money to you Register the new mortgage at Land Registry Supply original deeds to new lender and copy to you