Levene Chartered Surveyors Residential Property

Residential Sales

The Buying Process

  • Register your Interest with us.
    • You can register your interest in property in our coverage area by calling us on 0208 977 6886, registering online or by visiting one of our offices. Please give as much information as possible to our Sales Negotiators so that they can determine exactly what you are looking for and best match your needs and desires to property we have on our books.
  • The Search then Begins
    • We will match properties to the criteria you specify and will hopefully be able to find a few proprties that meet your needs. Full colour brochures with photos and floor plans are available for you to look at and help aid your decision.
  • Viewings
    • Once we have narrowed down your choices, we can then agree to a viewing schedule. This will tie in with our unique selling process that we have found works extremely well, to the benefit of both buyers and sellers.
  • Mortgage
    • During the search period, we advise you research the mortgage market and get a mortgage agreed in principle as this will speed up your mortgage application. We always recommend that you should speak to an independent financial advisor to get the best possible deal. Please contact us so that we can put you in touch with our recommended advisors.
  • Making an offer
    • When you wish to make an offer we will discuss this with you. We will put your offer to the seller verbally and in writing at the earliest opportunity. We will also ask you about your financial position and any related sale(s). The more accurate information that we are able to put forward the more serious your offer will look.
  • Sale Agreement
    • Once the sale has been agreed and the Vendor and Purchaser have instructed the solicitors, we will write to all parties confirming the details. We will have the pleasurable task of putting one of our 'Sold' signs outside the property.
  • Draft contract
    • Once the Vendor's solicitors receive the title deeds and all supporting documents, they will prepare a draft contract and forward this with the supporting documentation to the Purchaser's solicitor.
  • Local Authority Search
    • The Purchaser's solicitor will then obtain local authority searches on the Purchaser's behalf. They will normally apply for these once they have received funds from you.
  • Survey
    • A mortgage lender will normally require that the property being purchased is inspected by one of their appointed valuers. The lender will usually offer the purchaser a choice between a basic valuation report and a combined valuation report and detailed condition report. Alternatively, if you wish to have a full structural survey carried out, you should instruct a chartered surveyor such as ourselves, who will be able to help. Before purchasing a property, with or without a mortgage, we always recommend an independant valuation and survey is obtained. Whether buying through Levene Chartered Surveyors or not, please contact our valuation and survey department on 0208 977 6886 for free, no obligation advice.
  • Exchange Contracts
    • As most buyers require mortgages, contracts can only be exchanged once a formal unconditional mortgage offer has been received, the contracts have been approved and the completion date has been agreed. Both Purchaser and Vendor need to sign their contracts and instruct their respective solicitors to proceed. The Purchaser will also need to sign the mortgage offer and arrange for a deposit (typically 15% of the purchase price) to be sent to the solicitor. On exchange of contracts, you will need to ensure that satisfactory buildings insurance is in place.
  • Completion
    • The completion date will be negotiated prior to exchange of contracts and finalised when exchange takes place. On completion the residual money outstanding is transferred from the buyer's solicitor to the seller's solicitors. Once this has taken place, the Purchaser will be given access to the property and the sale is complete.

Please give our friendly staff a call on 0208 977 6886 or use our contact page to get in touch.


Member of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors