Guide to buying
It’s important to remember that everyone’s circumstances are unique. Don’t worry too much about what your friends have done or the ‘expert’ advice from your colleague at work. Speak to your local solicitor estate agent, your real property expert, who will help you through the process.
- 1. Speak with your local solicitor estate agent
Discussing your property needs and wants at an early stage can help you get the answers to the many questions you will have about buying a home, like ‘what costs are involved?’.
They are also best placed to give you an up-to-the minute overview of the market, based on their expertise and can help you understand what you can afford and where you might like to buy.
- 2. Find out how much you can afford
This is perhaps the most important thing that you can do. Before you start looking at what houses and flats are for sale it is important to know how much you can afford.
We’d recommend speaking with an independent financial adviser who can help you understand your finances and help you to get an agreement in principal. This means that when you find a home you love, you can act quickly and with confidence knowing you can afford it.
- 3. Start your search
The SPC Scotland website is the perfect place to start your search. We advertise properties for sale from across Scotland and could have just the one you are after! Don’t forget to check solicitor estate agent’s windows and local property papers for all the latest properties.
Get out and get viewing as quickly as possible. Try to see lots of properties and if you’ve found somewhere that you love, always go back for a second viewing. Preferably this should be at a different time of day and try to take someone else with you who will help keep you impartial.
- 4. Check out the Home Report
Make sure to read the Home Report for any properties that you are interested in. It contains lots of information provided by a surveyor and the home owner, so gives you an understanding of the state of repair of the property and its value.
- 5. Making an offer
Once you’ve found somewhere that you’ve just got to have, it is time to speak with your solicitor estate agent about making an offer.
They will make the formal offer on your behalf and handle all the contract negotiations.
- 6. Arrange your mortgage
Yes! Your offer has been accepted! Get in touch with your mortgage adviser as quickly as possible to get your mortgage application started. You will need to work with both your mortgage adviser and solicitor to ensure that all contracts and funds are released at the same time.
- 7. Complete the missives
Your solicitor will work with the seller’s solicitor to complete the contract for the property purchase. In Scotland, this process is known as the missives. Your solicitor should keep you up to date but often there isn’t too much for you to do at this stage.
- 8. Get organised for moving day
It makes good sense to start organising for moving day as early as possible. If you plan to use a professional removal company to help with the move, we’d recommend getting in touch and getting them booked as early as possible to avoid any disappointment.
Enjoy your new home!
