BUYING FAQS
Making the right property choice means doing your homework before you fall in love with your next home. Remember, viewing a property is essential, as photos and marketing material might only show certain aspects of the property. People are often surprised about just how much or how little they like a short-listed property during their viewings.
- View as many similar properties as possible. This will give you a good idea about value for money and also help you to focus on where your own priorities lie.
- Read carefully through the Home Report before you view the property. The Home Report is full of valuable information about the fabric of the building and the way that it is valued for mortgage purposes.
- On your way to the property, have a good look around the area and note things that you like or dislike.
- Once at the viewing, don’t be shy to ask the owner questions. After all, they should know the property and the area better than anyone else!
- If you like a property, book a second viewing. This time, try to visit at a different time of day, or a different day of the week. This should give you a better idea of the area when it comes to traffic, neighbours and nightlife.
In Scotland, buyers and sellers do not deal directly with each other. Offers are made by, and submitted to solicitor firms representing the buyer and the seller. This is something our experienced team at VMH Solicitors will do on your behalf. All that you need to do is to contact us and we will ‘note an interest’ in the property with the selling agent. We will discuss with you your offer and options, and our experienced sales negotiators might be able to negotiate a lower price for you, should the property be on sale at a fixed price. If there are other ‘notes of interest’ on the property, we will advise you on making a realistic offer.
The market value of a property is determined by various factors, including the current state of the market, the time the property has been available and current levels of interest in it. This is where our expertise is crucial, as we have market knowledge of all of these factors. By receiving sound advice from VMH, you can rest assured that our dynamic team will prepare an informed and vigorous strategy for making an offer on your chosen property.
Yes, but only once all the clauses within the offer have been agreed on, by both parties. These clauses are the terms and conditions on which the offer is made. This will include such things as a price, a date of entry and items to be included in the sale. These issues will be agreed in writing between the two solicitors. Once an agreement has been reached on all the points, the offer will be legally binding, at which point the ‘missives’ will have been ‘concluded’ on the sale.
If you buy a property with someone other than your spouse or civil partner, you need to think about the consequences of the relationship breaking down, no matter how unlikely that event might seem. There are many complex aspects which affect the legal ownership of assets and it is essential that you take proper legal advice at the outset. VMH Solicitors can provide excellent advice on how best to protect your respective interests in the event of the unforeseen happening.
VMH has hand-picked mortgage brokers who can offer our clients sound advice and excellent service. We will refer you to one of our preferred partners, who will give impartial advice on all types of mortgages, including First-time Buyers’ Mortgages and government-funded schemes. For more information on our list of preferred mortgage brokers, feel free to contact us at any time.