Buying a house

Whether you are a first-time buyer or a landlord looking to expand your property portfolio, buying a house is one of the biggest decisions you can make. While buying a house is an exciting time, it is notoriously stressful.

We understand that you are eager to move into your new property as soon as possible. Our solicitors will ensure that all the legal work is carried out smoothly and efficiently behind the scenes, while providing you with expert guidance and support along the way.

Solicitors for buying a house in Brighouse

Valerie Holmes Law has been providing property services to the local community of Brighouse and its surrounding areas for many years. With our unrivalled local knowledge and expertise, we are committed to offering a leading service across West Yorkshire.

Buying a property can seem overwhelming, particularly if you are a first-time buyer, but Valerie Holmes Law is here to provide you with all the guidance and support you need. Our solicitors in Brighouse specialise in conveyancing, so you can rest assured that your property purchase is in good hands.

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The process of buying a house

Once you have made an offer and negotiated a price on a property you love, we recommend that you instruct a property lawyer as soon as possible if you haven’t already.

Your solicitor will request a variety of documents throughout the process, so try to familiarise yourself with the documents you’ll need in advance. It’s important to be organised from the get-go when buying a house to ensure you face as few delays as possible.
While you apply for a mortgage and arrange a property survey to assess the condition of the home, your property lawyer will work behind the scenes to run checks on the property and transfer the ownership of the home to you.

What documents do solicitors need when buying a house?

During the conveyancing process, you will need to provide a variety of documents. The specific documents you will need can vary depending on the type of property that you are buying, such as if it’s a newbuild or a leasehold property.

  • Photo proof of Identification
  • Proof of home address
  • Proof of your deposit funds
  • Mortgage offer (if applicable)
  • Survey (optional)

  • Title Deeds
  • Mortgage Deed
  • Energy Performance Certificate
  • Fittings and Contents Form
  • Property Information Form
  • Copy of the lease (if the property is leasehold)
  • Transfer Deed
  • Stamp Duty Form

Familiarising yourself with the documentation you might need in advance can help to reduce your stress later on. If you have any questions regarding the documents you need for your house purchase, fill out the contact form on this page to speak to an experienced property lawyer today.

When to instruct a solicitor when buying a house

The earlier you instruct a property lawyer for your house purchase, the better. Having your conveyancer lined up and ready to go is the best way to stay ahead of the game. It also gives us the opportunity to get started with things on our side before, making things run smoother when we go onto the second steps.

Your solicitor can start your house purchase by carrying out preliminary work such as ID checks and anti-money laundering checks. Having these initial checks in place can also position you as an organised and committed buyer to estate agents and sellers, giving your offer a competitive edge.

As soon as you’ve had an offer accepted on a property or when you’re ready to make an offer on a property you’re serious about and we can get things moving immediately.

Staying organised from the get-go is crucial for a smooth and hassle-free conveyancing process. Contact us today to ensure you’re ahead in your home purchase right from the beginning.

How long will it take to buy my home?

Unfortunately, we can’t say exactly how long it will take to buy your home. Every house purchase is different, and there are many factors that can influence how quickly the transaction progresses, such as the length of the property chain and the efficiency of all the parties involved.

Although we can’t say how long your property purchase will take, buying a house typically takes around 8 to 10 weeks on average.

Once you’ve made an offer

Once the seller has accepted your offer, you should instruct a property lawyer as soon as possible. Your solicitor will carry out various searches on the house you’re looking to buy, including a local authority search, an environmental search, and a water and drainage search.

The seller’s estate agent will send a ‘Memorandum of Sale’ document to your solicitor. This document contains all the details of your property transaction and allows your solicitor and the seller’s solicitor to contact each other freely. They will also send a draft contract, a copy of the Title Deeds, and information forms completed by the seller to your solicitor for review.

At this point, you may wish to carry out a property survey to identify any issues with the property before the purchase becomes legally binding. A survey can help you to negotiate a lower house price or encourage the seller to carry out any repairs required. Though we recommend that you should get a property survey, it’s not a legal requirement.

You should also look to secure a mortgage agreement at this stage to ensure you have the necessary funding in place. Your solicitor will ask for a copy of your mortgage agreement to finalise your house purchase, so having this in place early will help to prevent delays later on.

Completing the purchase and moving in

After your solicitor has thoroughly reviewed the contract and addressed any questions with the seller’s solicitor, they will ask you to sign the contract.

Once the completion date is agreed for all parties in the chain, your solicitor will provide you with the final completion statement, you will pay your deposit, and then the signed contracts are exchanged between the buyer and seller. This marks a key milestone in the process where a legally binding agreement is created between the buyer and the seller.

At this point, it’s a good idea to prepare for your moving day by booking a removal company to help transfer all your belongings into your new home.

Your solicitor will then inform the Land Registry about the property’s change in ownership. When the change is registered, you’ll be sent a copy which proves you are now the registered owner of your new property.

How we can help

At Valerie Holmes Law, we have a wealth of experience in property purchases. Though the conveyancing process can seem overwhelming, we are here to support you every step of the way.

Here’s what we can offer you:

Fixed fees

So you know how much your conveyancing will cost from start to finish.

Our Friendly team

A friendly team that responds quickly to calls and emails.

Proactivity

We will chase the other side and push for progress. No delays will ever come from our side.

Regular updates

So you always know what’s going on.

Ready to make a move…?

Get in touch today to speak to a property expert or get an instant free quote by filling out the online form.