Buying a Property

When looking to buy a property, it’s imperative that you partner with a qualified lawyer who has the expertise to progress the transaction smoothly, whilst keeping you informed throughout. Our residential property solicitors based in Essex and London aim to do just that.

We are on the panels of recognised and approved solicitors for the majority of high street and boutique mortgage lenders. We act on behalf of a wide range of clients with a variety of different purchasing requirements, such as first time buyers, investors and buy-to-let landlords.

We are mindful of our client’s individual needs and timescales, and ensure that our legal approach is tailored to each scenario; for example, acting for buyers who must coordinate their purchase completion with the expiry of their rental notice.

The wide range of expertise offered in our residential property department means that we are also adept at more complex legal issues, such as examining the titles and handling the purchase of unregistered properties; a process which is becoming more and more uncommon. A purchase of an unregistered property prompts a compulsory First Registration of the property at HM Land Registry – something which our property solicitors in Essex and London will complete on your behalf.

If you’re looking to purchase a holiday home or a buy-to-let property, the conveyancing process is much the same as in a residential property purchase. Our skilled solicitors can ensure the smooth and efficient progression of your property transaction, including all necessary searches, transfer of funds and accurate registration of title and deeds.

Even if you’re looking to purchase your second property and are familiar with the process involved, we are here to further guide you through the process. You will need to ensure that you inform your lender (if any) that you will be letting the property to ensure that you are issued with an appropriate mortgage offer. Our property lawyers are well-versed in this process and will assist you in ensuring that any specific requirements of your lender under a buy-to-let mortgage are met.

Essential steps in the purchasing process

Our property solicitors will:

• Thoroughly check the legal title
• Review the sale contract
• Review the search results
• Review any mortgage offer
• Raise enquiries of the vendor and review their responses
• Report to you and advise you and your lender if appropriate thereon
• Exchange contracts on your behalf once all matters are satisfactory
• Account to you and request all monies from you and your lender where appropriate in readiness for completion
• Complete pre completion searches
• Send completion monies to the vendor’s solicitor on the day of completion (the day of completion is the day that you can pick up your keys)
• Submit the Stamp Duty Land Tax Return
• Submit the application and supporting documentation to HM Land Registry to get you registered as owner of the property

Buying a Property Lawyers

Paul Berry

Partner

Anica Holderness

Partner

Linda Chew

Senior Associate

Alexandria (Lexie) Jacobs

Senior Associate

Victoria Bush

Associate

Sara Madden

Associate

Rebecca March

Associate

Joanne Tappin

Associate

Zeliha Sari

Solicitor

Kerry Curtis

Licensed Conveyancer

Sharyn De Araujo

Paralegal