Buying a Property
Buying a Property in East Lothian
Buying a new home, whether it is your first step onto the property ladder or you are downsizing after retirement, is an exciting time. However, the process is well known for being highly stressful too. Our conveyancing lawyers are keen to make your purchase as positive as possible. As well as expertly guiding your transaction from start to completion, we promise to keep you updated, answer your queries without delay and identify and deal with any potential hold-ups. View our properties for sale.
We offer a simple, fixed price conveyancing service that covers every step of your property purchase. To discuss your requirements with our team, contact us today.
How can we help you when buying a property?
We are committed to delivering a high-quality, client-centred service, which includes:
Noting Interest
If you decide to make an offer, our conveyancing lawyers can give you guidance on what would be a sensible yet persuasive amount. As a longstanding community firm, we are very familiar with the East Lothian property markets, including in North Berwick and Dunbar. We can access important details that will influence your offer, including previous sale prices of nearby properties, the level of interest and its current condition.
Once you are ready to make an offer, we will communicate the details to the seller’s lawyer and get in touch with you as soon as we hear if it has been accepted or not.
Preparing Offers
The Executor has to apply for Confirmation to the local Sheriff Clerk by lodging the relevant forms and Inventory. Confirmation is the legal document that gives the Executor the authority to administer the estate. This is required before banks, organisations and individuals will release any money or property belonging to the deceased.
Negotiating the Terms of the Sale Contract (known as the Missives)
If your offer is accepted, congratulations! The seller will usually provide a ‘qualified acceptance’, which means you must negotiate and agree on certain fundamental terms before the property can be transferred to you. These terms include the date of entry, the items included with the sale and several other matters.
We will communicate your wishes on each of these conditions with the seller’s lawyer – and use our expert negotiation skills if there is any disagreement – until you are both in agreement on everything.
Examining the Title Deeds
The title deeds are the legal documents that state who owns a property and provides details of any restrictions that apply to its ownership. We will examine the deeds for any issues and report to you on the extent of the property and the conditions of ownership.
Advising on and implementing your mortgage offers
We can help you find the right mortgage for you and your financial situation. Once you have found a suitable offer, we will arrange the standard security with your lender and send them the title deeds once they are in your name.
Handling everything for you on the day of completion
On the agreed day of entry (also known as completion day), several steps must be taken before you can move into your new home. These include the movement of the purchase funds from your mortgage lender to us and onto the seller. We work hard to make this stage go as smoothly as possible so that you can get the keys and start moving in without delay.
