Buying Process


1Arranging your mortgage and other costs

Finding the right mortgage to suit your own circumstances can be daunting, with so many lenders, schemes and rates available, where do you start? Unless you're really sure on what you're doing, seek advice our independent financial advisers. It will certainly help us to help you if you get a mortgage agreement in principle to enable you to move quickly if need be.

2Register your interest

You should register your requirements and budget with them and get on our mailing lists. Once you’re registered, they should then send out details of relevant properties to you. You can also keep an eye on the local market by browsing the local property press or property portals like Zoopla and On the market.

3Finding the right property

Make yourself comfortable with a glass of your favourite tipple. Think about your ideal property and write a list of the ‘Must Haves’, the ‘Nice to Haves’ and most importantly the ‘Definitely Don’t Wants’. This can help you in deciding on which properties to view and tallying up scores for each of the properties you visit, and more importantly will give you a good list of deal-breakers so nobody’s time is wasted viewing unsuitable properties.

4Making an offer

Make yourself comfortable with a glass of your favourite tipple. Think about your ideal property and write a list of the ‘Must Haves’, the ‘Nice to Haves’ and most importantly the ‘Definitely Don’t Wants’. This can help you in deciding on which properties to view and tallying up scores for each of the properties you visit, and more importantly will give you a good list of deal-breakers so nobody’s time is wasted viewing unsuitable properties.

5Offer agreed

Once you receive an offer acceptance then the wheels are put into motion to lead up to the final exchange of contracts (which, from beginning to end, takes between 6 to 8 weeks on average). This is called Conveyancing. We will liaise between your solicitor and the vendor’s solicitor, working up and down any chain, to ensure that your purchase goes through as smoothly as possible.

6Conveyancing

This is the legal term for the transfer of ownership of a property from one party to another. Your solicitor will liaise with the vendor’s solicitor while carrying out Land Registry and Local Authority searches to establish the boundaries of the property, any restrictive covenants or potential developments in the area that may affect your enjoyment of your new home.

7Survey and mortgage offer

Unless you are a cash buyer this is the time to formally apply for a mortgage on this property with your financial advisor or lender.

Your lender will require a survey for mortgage purposes, but this is merely to establish a valuation. You may also choose to undertake a full structural survey although this is usually advisable on a period property or a property of non-standard construction. Any issues highlighted may either affect the lenders ability to offer a mortgage in its entirety or impose special conditions on the mortgage offer. The survey may also highlight any expensive problems to you before you purchase the property.

8Exchange of contracts

Up until this point, either party can withdraw from the sale without financial loss. When your solicitor has received; satisfactory replies to all their searches and enquiries, a copy of a mortgage offer, a signed contract and the deposit has been paid (usually 5-10%), they can then proceed to exchange of contracts. From this point the seller and buyer are legally committed to the deal so if the buyer pulls out for whatever reason they lose their deposit.

The sales contract is signed by both you and the vendor and the deposit is transferred or paid by your solicitor to the vendor's solicitor. At that point the date is then set for completion. This can be pretty much straight away (called a Sim – simultaneous exchange and completion) or up to 28 days later depending on your requirements.

9Completion

Completion is the formal process of transferring the balance of monies due from the vendor’s solicitor to the seller’s solicitor. This process will be dependent on your circumstances and any other parties involved in the buying chain. Once the monies have been received you can collect the keys and you are the legal owner of your new home.

10Moving in

Congratulations! You are now the proud owners of a lovely new home.

We will provide you with a welcome pack providing you with everything you need to know, from the location of gas and electricity meters, mains water stopcocks, local authority details, waste collection day etc.

Remember to get your mail re-directed and don’t forget to tell your bank, your employer, HMRC, DVLA, insurance, council tax, doctor, dentist and any schools that you have changed your address.
Agree meter readings, transfer the phone lines and other utilities. Book the removal company, defrost and disconnect your white goods. Tell your friends and organise the party.

Don’t forget the cat!

Disclaimer: This information is provided as a guide only and may not reflect your individual circumstances. You should obtain professional advice when buying or selling a property and Hamlet-Homes accept no liability if you rely on the content of this guide and do not obtain professional advice.

Sales

Buying a property, for the first time, or as an experienced purchaser of property, can be a long, complicated process. Working with an estate agent that knows the local area and that you can trust will make all the difference to your home buying journey. At Hamlet Homes we know the local area inside out, so we are well placed to make the buying process go as smoothly as possible for you and can help you with every aspect of your property journey

Selling

Selling your property can be a stressful and difficult time, luckily we can offer expert advice at every stage of the sale of your property.

Mortgages

Hamlet Financial Services are independent financial advisers specialising in mortgages, protection and general insurance since 1985. We pride ourselves on understanding the problems and opportunities in the financial services industry. We believe our clients are the most important asset of our company, and we are dedicated to serving your needs.

Renting

As part of Hamlet Homes, we can offer you a full range of services to help you at every stage of your tenancy.

Landlords

We offer a wide range of services, form marketing your property, and finding you the right tenant, to fully managed service.

Fees

Letting Fee Information

What will renting a property cost you?

As well as your regular rental payments, you may also be required to make the following permitted payments.

Prior to the start of the tenancy

• Holding Deposit - 1 week's rent

• Security Deposit - 5 week's rent

During the tenancy
• Late rental payment interest charge of 3.75% of amount owed

• Change of tenancy charge £75

If you require a key or key fob for the property to be replaced, the cost of the replacement key/fob will be passed on to you with an invoice to demonstrate proof of cost.

If you request an early termination of your tenancy, outside of any break clause stated in your tenancy agreement, you may be required to make payment of rent until the tenancy is terminated and cover the loss incurred by your landlord. You will be provided with an invoice to demonstrate proof of the landlord's loss.

Unless otherwise agreed in your tenancy agreement, you will also be responsible for paying for the following (if connected to the property):


• Utilities - gas, electricity, water

• Media - telephone, broadband, television packages (satellite/cable) and television licence

• Council Tax

How do we ensure our tenants are protected?
We are a registered member of the Propertymark Client Money Protection Scheme, which is a client money protection scheme to ensure your money is handled with in the correct manner. We are also members of The Property Ombudsman, which is a redress scheme for consumer complaints.