The Buying Process

• The first thing you need to consider when buying a property is how much you can afford to pay and whether you intend to buy the property with cash or via a mortgage.
• If it’s the mortgage route that you intend to go down, then the best way to do this is to book an appointment with a mortgage advisor. Once you have established a budget, you can begin to look for your dream home.
• Duffin's offer independent mortgage advise should you require any assistance.

• You can submit your requirements in branch, over the phone or online. Once we have your interests registered, we can keep you updated with properties that match your requirements.

• Decide on the size and type of property you are look for.
• Make a list of your absolute requirements and things that you would like but are not totally necessary.
• Research property prices and neighbourhood statistics. This information can be found online or you can call one of our dedicated team members who will be more than happy to provide you with all the information that you require.
• Ensure that you have chosen the correct location – Is the property in a catchment area for schools? Is it close to local amenities? How far is the commute to work? Is the property close to public transport links?
• Take a look at the area at different times during the day and even night.

• We are open 6 days a week. Monday to Friday 9am – 5.30pm and Saturdays 10am – 2pm. We can accommodate viewings outside these working hours including Sundays.
• If you find a property online, which you like the look of, we recommend that you make an appointment to view as early as possible.
• Once you have arranged an appointment, be prepared to view with an open mind. Putting your own stamp on a house will turn it in to your home.

• Do your homework!! Ask the Agent what properties have sold in the area, have a look at the sold house prices online. Once you have this information, take into consideration the current condition of the property and then put forward an offer based on what you can afford.
• We will put forward your offer to the vendor and we will do all that we can to secure you your dream home!

• Once your offer has been agreed, we will do the following:
• Ask you to confirm your solicitor’s details and mortgage provider details.
• Here at Duffin’s Estate Agents we have an excellent selection of preferred solicitors who can provide you with a no obligation quote.
• Prepare a memorandum of sale
• Write to All parties to confirm the sales agreement

• We will ensure that your purchase will go through smoothly and as efficiently as possible.
• We will keep in regular contact with you from the viewing right through to completion.

• If you are purchasing the property via a mortgage, the mortgage provider will want to carry out a survey.
• There are several different types of surveys that you can choose from.
• Basic Valuation – This is mandatory and this survey will advise the bank of whether the property is worth what you intend to pay for it.
• Home Buyers Report – Mid Range option which offers much more detail on the property than a basic valuation.
• Full Building Survey – In depth report of the condition of the property including a structural report.

• Once your solicitor has carried out all the enquiries and searches and received a satisfactory response and the mortgage is in place with any preliminary works carried out the exchange of contracts will take place.
• Once you have exchanged, you are then committed to purchasing the property.
• A completion date will then be agreed.

You have to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax if you buy a property in the UK over a certain price. The charges are as follows:

• Up to £125,000 - Zero
• The next £125,001 to £250,000 - 2%
• The next £250,001 to £925,000 - 5%
• The next £925,001 to £1.5 million - 12%

• On the day of completion, the balance owed on the property will be transferred to the vendor’s solicitor’s account. Once the money is cleared, the solicitor will advised the Agent that they have permission to release the keys to you.