Please see our compacted description of the process below:
- You pay a booking deposit to the auctioneer and contact an engineer.
- You put finance in place, such as a mortgage. Note that you need written loan approval before signing contracts.
- We agree on the terms of the contract with the vendors solicitor and review the title for the property.
- We raise pre contract enquiries.
- We finalise terms of the contract and ensure you are happy with all aspects of the property.
- You sign contracts and pay a deposit.
- If you have a mortgage, you will also need to sign the mortgage documentation. We send the necessary documents to your lending institution. You and your broker will also need to provide the lending institution with certain documents and information.
- Contracts are then signed by the vendors and one part is sent back to us.
- We send the closing requirements to the vendors solicitor. This can include items such as planning documents, Declarations, Certificates, Undertakings and other important documents belonging to the property.
- We draft the Deed of Assignment and send it to the vendors solicitor to be signed.
- We ensure that you have sent us your PPS number and tax type for stamping.
- We review all documents and replies to ensure all requirements are met.
- Closing documents are sent to us by the vendors solicitor and we transfer balance purchase monies.
- We review all closing documents.
- We raise searches on the vendor and the property.
- Searches are certified and explained by the vendors solicitor.
- We authorise the release of balance purchase monies and the vendors solicitor authorises the release of keys.
- You collect the keys for your property.
- We stamp the Deed of Assignment.
- We lodge your registration as owner with the Property Registration Authority.
- The Deeds are returned to either yourself or your lending institution.
Most transactions will complete in 4-6 weeks in the absence of unexpected complications and with the cooperation of the other party and their solicitor.
Please note that not all transactions will be as straightforward as the above example.
House or Apartment? Here are some significant differences.
Title:
Title relates to who owns the property presently, as well as who owned it before you. Title guarantees that no one else can come along and say that they own the property.
More often than not, the title for an apartment is a long leasehold with the lease being the primary deed to the property. A lease is required for an apartment because it allows the apartment owners and management company to enter into mutual covenants. Mutual Covenants are promises from the apartment owners to the management company to ensure the code of conduct is respected.
A Lease will have a schedule of rules regarding animals, noise, hanging clothes and other factors. It is important to evaluate these rules before deciding to purchase.
The title for a house is usually freehold. Freehold means that you own the building and it stands outright. You would own everything below and everything above. You own the property as well as the land.
Generally, no rules or responsibilities come with purchasing a freehold. Anything regarding animals, noise and clothes is at the owners discretion.
Common Areas:
In an apartment development, each apartment owner becomes a member of the management company. This management company’s job will be to manage and maintain the common areas such as stairs, lifts and roof on a day to day basis.However, sometimes it is possible to obtain your right to manage for an apartment.
Unlike leasehold title, the purchaser of freehold title would be responsible for the building, what happens to it and its upkeep.
Service Charges:
After buying an apartment, you will liable for service charges to your management company. These charges cover expenses such as utility bills for common areas, insurance and general maintenance. Service charges may also go towards a sinking fund which covers any major repairs that may need to be carried out on the building.
With freehold, there is no service charges payable to a management company. Expenses such as insurance and maintenance will be the responsibility of the buyer.
If you are thinking of purchasing a house or an apartment, call us today to talk about a quotation.
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