Purchases

Buying a property is a big decision, whether it's your a first-time buyer, you're moving up the property ladder or you are buying properties for investment.

Our dedicated team offers practical and personalised legal advice. You will be given a named member of staff as your main point of contact who will keep you updated at all important stages throughout the transaction, using your preferred method of communication.

Advice for buyers:

Know the true costs and set a budget - Don’t just save for a deposit; budget for the whole buying process including surveys, searches, land registry, mortgage arrangement and legal fees, stamp duty, removal and furnishing costs and any potential repairs. And, if you’re buying a leasehold property, remember to factor in service charges and ground rent. From the outset, we provide you with a breakdown of costs, which include our fixed fee legal costs together with any third-party payments, such as Land Registry fees, stamp duty land tax and search fees. There are no hidden costs with us; what we quote is what you will pay.

Get an ‘Agreement in Principle’ before making an offer. Talk to a mortgage adviser about mortgage deals, then get an 'agreement in principle' from a mortgage lender – it could give you the edge on buyers without one.

Consider your options - if you are a first time buyer, it’s well worth exploring the government’s first time buyer initiatives.

Appoint an experienced lawyer - a good lawyer will manage the legal side of house buying and ensure everything goes smoothly.

Get first dibs – ask local estate agents to call when suitable properties are about to come onto the market, that way you can book one of the first viewings.

Ask questions – find out as much as you can about the area and the property, including how many viewings and offers it has had. This can be very helpful when it comes to negotiating.

Be realistic about timings – local searches can take up to 20 weeks and if you’re in a chain, not everyone will be ready when you are.

Commission a full property survey – This is different to a valuation survey and will flag up any problems that could cost you later down the line. Your lender may require you to use a specific surveyor.

Get insured – find a comprehensive building insurance policy without any onerous restrictions which can be imposed if, for example, you’re purchasing in a flood risk area.

Draw up a Will – if you die, you'll want your assets (including your home) to be distributed to your loved one. Battens' Private Client team can assist with this.

Current offers:

View our current £250 discount on conveyancing legal fees for property sales and purchases in the BA20, BA21 and BA22 area - contact our team on 01935 846000 for more information.