Buying A House Checklist | Poole, Bournemouth, Dorset

1) Our investigations

After we have received details of your purchase, we will make contact with the seller's solicitor and request that they forward the contract and "package" of supporting documentation. This will include copies of the title deeds and in the case of leasehold property, the Lease. Once the package has been received we will examine it in great detail and if we have any legal or more general enquiries about the property these will be raised at this point. A search is required, which can be a personal search, however, because this search is not as comprehensive as a full local authority search, you will be given the option of accepting this, or instructing us to undertake a full local authority search on your behalf. The full search consists of a series of standard enquiries, dealing with information that the Local Authority will hold on its records about the property. The information supplied will include details of any planning permissions relating to the property, any proposed major road improvements, nearby problems with environmental health etc. However it does not search against neighbouring land. Therefore if you are concerned about any possible developments in the vicinity you will need to visit the council to check on this personally. The search can take two weeks or more to be returned depending on which Local Authority the application has been made to.

2) Signing the contract

It is at this stage that you will become contractually bound to purchase the property. Once we have obtained your final instructions with regard to agreeing a completion date and this has been agreed with your seller, we will exchange contracts. This is done by two solicitors sending each other their respective clients signed part of the contract. Initially the solicitors will exchange using professional undertakings over the telephone and this is the point at which contracts are deemed to be exchanged and when you are committed to the purchase. To withdraw after exchange will have serious consequences and involve you in financial penalties.

3) Exchange of contracts

4) The deposit

On exchange of contracts you will pay a deposit to the seller (although this is held by their solicitor until completion), usually of between five and ten percent of the purchase price. If you are selling a property the deposit paid by your buyer will be passed straight to your seller and depending on your new purchase price, you will usually not need to find additional funds. If after contracts have been exchanged, you decide that you do not want to proceed with the purchase, you will forfeit this money and you will also be liable for damages to the seller and also the other parties in the chain.

5) Co-ordination of sale and purchase

If you are both buying and selling it is assumed that the two transactions are to be tied in together and that the contracts should be exchanged simultaneously, unless you instruct us to the contrary. Otherwise you could end up either homeless or owning two homes!

6) Preparing for completion

Once contracts have been exchanged, we will carry out final searches to ensure that the title to property has not been changed during the course of the conveyancing transaction. We will also request the mortgage funds from your lender. We will prepare the Transfer Deed, which will put the property into your name and arrange for signature of this and the Mortgage Deed.

7) Completion

On the date arranged for completion it is impossible for us to tell you in advance at what time the move will happen. Particularly so when you are tying in a sale and a purchase, as this is dependant on when the monies arrive in our bank and thereafter the bank of your seller's solicitor. All the monies are sent by telegraphic transfer and the banks cannot guarantee the transmission time. However usually completion takes place around lunchtime. If you are selling you will need to take your keys to your estate agent who will hand it over to the buyer only after we have received the sale proceeds and authorised the key release. On the purchase you will be able to collect the keys to your new house from the agent in that matter, again once monies have arrived at the seller's solicitor's bank. There can sometimes be a time lapse between the two key releases and in this case you may have to wait a time to collect the new keys. Pack a picnic or retire to the nearest hostelry for a quick lunch before the hard work begins!

For Roger Leedham, Senior Partner

“We have used Coles Miller for every house move (and there have been quite a few!) since 1987. Roger Leedham and the team made our recent move in 2018 as smooth and stress free as a house move can ever be. Nothing is ever too much trouble and the brilliant communication between Coles Miller and all the other parties in the chain helped us manage timescales and dates seamlessly. I recommend Roger Leedham and Coles Miller to anyone about to move house.”

For Jason Barnett, partner

We just wanted to say a huge thank you for all your help and hard work on our purchase. You ensured the transaction ran smoothly and that communication was always thorough and professional; we would highly recommend you to others.

For Ruth Elkins, Partner

“I used Ruth Elkins of Coles Miller Broadstone for the conveyancing of my late mother's house in Broadstone. I have moved house myself several times but never used Coles Miller before. I wish I had! It was the most stress-free and efficient house conveyancing I have experienced and everyone I encountered in the office was friendly and helpful. I would recommend Coles Miller to anyone.”

For Michelle Vick Partner, Chartered Legal Executive

“Michelle – you have been my ‘true north’ throughout this whole process. Understanding, knowledgeable, honest and considerate whilst always acting with integrity and my best intentions. I would highly recommend you and Coles Miller to friends, family and colleagues. You have kept me in the loop every step of the way and I have never felt the need to chase for updates. Also, understanding my needs, wants and concerns (first time buyers) was truly refreshing. You are a definitive representation of how customer service should be provided!”

Lianne Clenton Bray, Associate Solicitor

"Lianne Clenton Bray from Poole branch recently acted for us. Very helpful, as was her team. Many thanks Lianne."

For Katie Owen, Solicitor

“I'd just like to say thank you for all your help with the purchase of my house and for the lovely card. I'd especially like to say how much I appreciated your quick responses to my queries something that I have not found with other solicitors."

For Laura Hall, Solicitor

“We have just finalised the sale of our last home and the purchase of our new home. It has been very stressful and frustrating for many reasons. Laura and Roger from Coles Miller have been absolutely amazing. We have received sound advice, they have covered our backs at every angle, and they have been extremely professional and proactive. We had many obstacles on the way due to selling a leasehold property, long delays from our buyer waiting for their mortgage offer, seller being awkward etc. Thank you Coles Miller for taking so much pressure and stress off our shoulders.”

For Deborah Bradburn, Legal Assistant

"Thank you for helping us get everything through again so quickly. We shall definitely recommend you both to everyone we know, as we think you and Roger have been extremely efficient and helpful throughout the whole process."