Helpful hints to make your house move easier

Stage 1 - Selling your property

The first steps:

If you have bought or sold the property before you will know that the process takes time and may be very frustrating. So here are a few general guidance notes to help us get the job done as quickly as possible

1. Our computerised systems can produce of wide range of letters and documents but to start work we need information and the earlier we have this, the sooner we can act. So tell us who holds your mortgage and let us have any old papers you hold so that contracts can be prepared immediately a buyer is found.
2. Our policy on sales is to issue as much information as possible with the contract so kindly complete and return the questionnaire you will receive. The answers you give together with the information from the Land Registry etc. will be sent with the contract in the hope that this will limit further enquiries and save time.

Purchasing your property

The first steps:

We make certain checks designed to avoid problems in the future. You can help us in this task is in the following ways:

1. Let us know when terms are agreed so that we can start the process. As with sales the earlier we have the information the sooner we can act. A phone call is all it takes.
2. Contact us if you need help or advice concerning mortgages or expenses. In any event we will continue our enquiries and report any problems we find.
3. We will liaise with all interested parties in the course of the job but remember to give our name and address to those who will need it such an estate agents and building societies. This will enable us to obtain information more quickly.

Stage 2 - Exchanging contracts

You will not be committed to buying or selling until contracts are exchanged. We will advise you when this can take place and only after you tell us to proceed. You can again assist us in the following ways:

1. Make no firm arrangements for removals, meter readings, transfer of mail etc until contracts are exchanged and the completion date is known. The time between exchange of contracts and completion is commonly between 7 and 21 days and you will have time to confirm these arrangements after the exchange.
2. Tell as any dates to avoid for completion such as holidays or any other information which will affect the date.
3. Read carefully the information sheet you will receive from us after exchange. It is your guide to what we do and what you should do before completion.

Stage 3 -Completion

Contracts are completed by a certain time on a certain day agreed on exchange. We arrange the money and documents to change hands and report to you afterwards. You can help us further in the following ways:

1. Let us know where to send our report of completion and any correspondence that may arise after completion. This may be obvious on a related sale and purchase but not in other cases and our job is not concluded on completion, so we may still need to contact you.
2. Tell us of any specific requirements to place money due to you in your accounts.
3. Let us have any comments you wish to make about the service you have received and any improvements you feel could be made. We aim to please and value your custom and we hope that you will use our firm again and recommend us to your friends.