All offers are required in writing. Email is the preferred method of communication in this regard. 

Proof of funds are requested prior to the acceptance of an offer. This is to ensure prospective buyers can honour their financial commitment to the sale. This proof can be supplied in the form of official mortgage approval documentation, official financial statements and records and letters written by solicitors stating that the purchaser is in sufficient funds relating to the agreed price.  

The booking deposit is requested by the selling agent and is fully refundable until the point of signed contracts. Sales advice notes are letters outlining the details of all the parties involved. They are sent to the vendor, the vendor’s solicitor, the purchaser and the purchaser’s solicitor. The letters contain all the relevant information required for contracts to be drafted and issued by the vendors solicitor. 

After the contracts are issued, the purchaser’s solicitor is tasked with all legal conveyancing relating to the property. They will formally raise pre-contract enquiries with the vendor's solicitor until such time they have deemed all responses satisfactory. The responsibility of technical due diligence falls to the purchaser. Whether it is required as part of lending conditions or not, professional inspection of a property is recommended. Most often, a registered engineer will undertake a structural survey of the property in question. Further inspection as recommended by the solicitor and/or the engineer can be sought beyond the initial structural survey. This may include an investigation of site boundaries, drain testing and a host of other technical investigations specific to the subject property.  

After satisfactory pre-contract enquiries and professional inspection of the property, the purchaser’s solicitor will arrange for their client to sign the contract. A 10% deposit is generally paid by the purchaser upon signing. The contract is returned and counter signed by the vendor. This is a legally binding contract that formalises the terms and process between the purchaser and seller. 

After signing is complete, the purchaser’s solicitor sends Objections and Requisitions on title together with the Schedule of Closing documents and draft Deed to the vendor’s solicitor. After satisfactory replies on same, closing can be arranged. The purchaser’s solicitor will order closing searches on the vendors and title. The purchaser’s solicitor will draw down/transfer funds. The title documents and the funds are exchanged between the solicitors. The keys will be released by the estate agent once the exchange of title and funds have taken place.