When an offer on a property is accepted, the seller’s solicitor drafts a contract between the parties involved. The contract will include:

     • Terms and Conditions of the sale
     • Price of the property
     • Any other relevant particulars

The seller will need to give information about the property. The seller’s solicitor verifies and clarifies the seller’s legal title to the property. 

The buyer’s solicitor then checks all the initial paperwork. Issues arising out of the draft papers will be voiced out on this stage. These include problems with the local area, rights of way and boundary disputes. 

 A survey organised by the buyer’s solicitor will take place on this stage, where the state of the building, surrounding land conditions, assessment of external factors (drainage systems, infrastructures). Various searches by the buyer’s solicitor will also take place regarding issues with the local authority and environmental issues.

The seller and buyer’s solicitors negotiate the terms on the draft. The contract is made official when both parties are happy. The buyer and seller then sign a copy for the property’s exchange. 

The signing of formal transfer deed, final land registry and bankruptcy searches are done here. The buyer’s solicitor receives a request regarding the mortgage money for the preparation of the final financial statements. The seller’s solicitor identifies the amount of money needed if any existing loans are in place. 

On the day of the completion, the seller moves out of the property and the solicitors manage the transaction between the parties. Once it is completed, the keys to the property is released, allowing the buyer to move in.