Buying or Selling Your Home

Buying or selling a home is, for most people, the largest financial transaction they will undertake. Brewer Wallace Solicitors handles the legal work on both purchases and sales, and explains each stage as it arises.

We begin with a written quote setting out our fee and the disbursements payable to third parties. We then carry out the searches, prepare or review the legal documents and deal with your lender, whether you are buying for the first time or moving from an existing home.

Our offices are in Hull, Bridlington and Hornsea. We act for clients across East Yorkshire and can act remotely on transactions elsewhere in England and Wales.

Buying a freehold property

Whether you are buying your first home or moving, we deal with all the legal work on your purchase.

Our work on a freehold purchase includes:

• Reviewing contracts and raising legal enquiries
• Conducting property searches
• Managing deposit transfers and financial transactions
• Overseeing contract exchange
• Coordinating completion
• Registering ownership with HM Land Registry

Buying a leasehold property

A leasehold purchase involves more work than a freehold one. We review the lease and the management information and explain the terms before you commit.

On a leasehold purchase we:

• Review the lease and advise on its terms
• Check the length of the lease remaining and how it may affect value and mortgage lending
• Identify restrictions in the lease, for example on alterations or subletting
• Advise on ground rent, service charges and other costs
• Review the management pack from the landlord or managing agent

Selling a Property

Selling your home involves legal requirements that must be met to ensure a smooth transaction. Our conveyancing solicitors assist with all aspects of the sale, protecting your interests.

We support sellers by:

• Drafting contracts of sale
• Responding to buyer solicitor enquiries
• Managing contract exchange
• Handling completion and transfer of ownership
• Overseeing the redemption of existing mortgages

Step-by-step guide to buying a home

Contract review and legal enquiries

The seller's solicitor prepares the contract, which we review before raising any necessary enquiries on your behalf.

Property searches

We carry out local authority, environmental and other searches to identify legal or financial risks associated with the property.

Property survey

A survey is not a legal requirement, but it can identify structural problems before you commit. Your surveyor, not your solicitor, advises on the condition of the property.

Deposit

You will need to provide a deposit, typically 10% of the purchase price, which is paid on exchange of contracts.

Exchange of contracts

Once the enquiries have been answered and you are ready to proceed, contracts are exchanged and both parties are legally committed. A buyer who then fails to complete will usually lose the deposit and may be liable for further losses.

Completion

The balance of the price is paid, ownership passes to you and the keys are released. We then register you as the owner at HM Land Registry.

Step-by-step guide to selling a home

Property information

We obtain your title from HM Land Registry and ask you to complete the standard property information and fittings and contents forms.

Drafting and issuing the contract

We prepare the contract of sale and send it, with the supporting documents, to the buyer's solicitor.

Replying to the buyer's enquiries

The buyer's solicitor will usually raise enquiries on the contract and title. We deal with the replies, taking your instructions where needed.

Exchange of contracts

When both parties are ready, contracts are exchanged and the sale becomes legally binding. The buyer pays the deposit at this stage.

Completion

On completion the buyer's money is received, ownership passes and the keys are released. We repay your mortgage and send the balance to you.

More Conveyancing services

Our conveyancing fees

Our fixed conveyancing fees, the disbursements you will pay, typical timescales and who will handle your matter are all published: buying a freehold home, buying a leasehold home, selling and remortgaging.