Buying with Litchfields
What you can expect
Not only are we committed to providing our sellers/vendors with the best possible experience, we follow the same ethos for anyone who is buying from us. Our foundations have been built on great customer service so why should you be treated differently? Afterall if you're in the process of buying, the chances are that you either own, or will own a home that may be sold in the future.
We want to be your go-to agent and reap the rewards of our hands-on approach.
Start your property search
Register with Litchfields and be privy to new properties specific to your requirements. We’re proud of the fantastic selection of properties we have and would love for one of them to be yours. Tell us about your dream home and if we don’t have it on the books, we will make it our mission to find it. Selling? Request a free valuation so you know what you can afford.
Look online - 98% of property searches start online
The internet can be a fantastic place to start with online portals such as Rightmove and Zoopla but this crowded market can staggering. This is where our advice comes in.
Register with us
Financing your property
Organise an appointment
Most people buying will require a mortgage to fund their purchase so it's good to get the ball rolling early to find out what you can borrow. A good mortgage adviser will provide proper advice tailored to your needs, work out what you can borrow and provide you with an ‘Agreement in Principle’.
Be Prepared
Don’t forget most lenders will require to complete a financial health check so you can get ahead of the game by preparing your documents early. There are many incentives and government backed schemes we will discuss when assessing your circumstances, therefore being prepared with the likes of ID, payslips and bank statements will allow us to make a proper recommendation – Just like our slogan…when it comes to mortgages we also Do a Proper Job!
Get the most out of viewings
Book viewings
Now that you have an idea of your budget its time to decide on the style of property that you like. Book some viewings and get to know what style suits you. It can be overwhelming when you step inside a home, especially if it ticks all your boxes and ‘you get that feeling’. This is when it becomes even more important to take a list of questions with you, including the running costs and council tax rates.
Visit twice
Litchfields suggests that you visit the property twice. Buying a home is likely to be the biggest financial purchase you make and being decisive is imperative.
Making an offer
Once you have an offer in mind, we’ll contact the seller and make your best offer official - by law we are bound to notify the seller of all offers received. There may be a period of negotiation before a price is agreed but we’ll let you know as soon as any offer has been accepted. Litchfields understands communication at this stage is crucial, so we’ll keep you informed every step of the way.
It's essential that you know what offer should be proposed in order that you maximize your chances of securing the property. Our Mortgage advisers are skilled in negotiation and will often guide you to the right price.
Conveyancing
The legal bit
During the period of your mortgage offer being issued you solicitor will steer the purchase towards the missives being concluded and completion, and coordinate the release of your mortgage funds from the lender.
Memorandum of sale – Qualified acceptance
Both parties will be sent a memorandum of sale confirming the price, any special conditions negotiated and both parties’ solicitors details.
Searches, Documents & contracts
Your solicitor will carry out various searches to ensure that the property you intend on buying is sound for both you and the mortgage lender. These searches will clarify any restrictions, boundaries, right of way and planning applications. They will also be provided documents from the vendors solicitor detailing the tile of land etc.
Completion and move in
Congratulations all round!
Completion is when the vendors solicitor receives the funds from your solicitor and authorises the estate agent to release keys! Your new purchase is official, and you can now move n from this point.
To help kickstart your new chapter here are a few things for you to consider
- Pack up your belongings and organise removal ahead of time
- Make sure you update your address with your bank, DVLA and any supplier who provides you utilities
- Take a meter reading on entering the property
- Register with council tax
- Check over the property – You have 7 days to report any issues that you may come across
ALL THE BEST IN MAKING YOUR HOUSE A HOME!