Making an Offer
Once you’ve found the right property, you’ll make an offer through the estate agent. If accepted, the process of conveyancing begins — this is the legal work involved in transferring ownership from the seller to you.
At this stage, you should instruct a solicitor to act on your behalf. The sooner you do this, the smoother things will go.
Instructing Your Solicitor
Your solicitor will carry out the legal groundwork, including:
- Reviewing the draft contract sent by the seller’s solicitor
- Conducting property searches — local authority, environmental, drainage, and more
- Raising enquiries — asking questions about boundaries, disputes, planning permissions, and anything flagged in the searches
- Reviewing your mortgage offer (if applicable) to ensure the terms are in order
Surveys and Valuations
Your mortgage lender will arrange a basic valuation, but this only confirms the property is worth what you’re paying. We strongly recommend commissioning your own homebuyer’s survey or full building survey to identify any structural issues, damp, subsidence, or other costly problems before you commit.
Exchange of Contracts
Once all searches are complete, enquiries are resolved, and both parties are satisfied, you’ll exchange contracts. This is the point of no return — both buyer and seller are legally bound to the transaction.
At exchange, you’ll typically pay a deposit of 10% of the purchase price, and a completion date is agreed.
Completion
On completion day, your solicitor transfers the remaining funds to the seller’s solicitor. Once the money is received, the keys are released and the property is yours.
Your solicitor will then:
- Pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on your behalf (if applicable)
- Register you as the new owner with HM Land Registry
- Send you the official title documents
How Long Does It Take?
A typical property purchase takes 8 to 12 weeks from offer to completion, though it can be longer if there’s a chain involved or complications arise. Leasehold properties often take longer due to additional enquiries with the freeholder or management company.
How We Can Help
At Adel Jibs Solicitors, we guide you through every step of the conveyancing process — keeping you informed, handling the legal complexities, and working to get you into your new home as quickly as possible.
Get in touch today for a free, no-obligation quote.