First Time Buyers Specialist first time buyers solicitors

At Heald Solicitors, we understand how important the purchase of your first home is and we will make sure we are by your side every step of the way to guide and advise you.

Our residential property team have extensive experience across all types of property transactions and they will take the time to explain the process thoroughly to you and answer any questions you may have. They will work proactively on your behalf to ensure that your purchase proceeds without delay wherever possible.

Key points to deal with when you are buying a property

If you want to go ahead with your purchase as quickly as you can, there are a number of matters you will need to address early on. Firstly, you should instruct a solicitor to act on your behalf. They will be able to contact the seller’s solicitor as soon your offer is accepted to request the contract papers and information about the property and its legal title.

As well as instructing solicitors to deal with the legal aspects of buying your first home, it is also advisable to instruct a surveyor to prepare a survey of the property for you so that you can be sure that it is a sound investment. Even if your mortgage provider conducts their own survey, this is normally only a brief inspection based on their own criteria and you would be wise to instruct a surveyor to carry out a survey specifically on your behalf.

If you are taking out a mortgage, you should also arrange this as soon as you can. It is usually possible to apply for a mortgage in principle before you have found a property to buy so you can clarify your budget and are ready to go as soon as you find a suitable property.

The process

As soon as we receive the contract papers from the seller’s solicitor we will ask them questions about the property, known as raising enquiries. We will also apply for searches, including a local authority search that will reveal issues such as planned development in the locality, and water and drainage searches that will provide information about the utilities serving the property.

Once we have satisfactory responses, together with your mortgage offer, we will report all of the details to you and obtain your signature on the contract and mortgage deed. You will need to provide us with your deposit at this point. We will then exchange contracts with the seller’s solicitor and the date for completion will be set. We will pay your deposit to the seller when contracts are exchanged and order your mortgage advance in readiness.

On the completion day, we will send the balance of the purchase monies to the seller’s solicitor and your purchase will be complete. Following completion, we will arrange for registration of your ownership with HM Land Registry.

Pricing Guides

At Heald Solicitors, we don't believe in hiding our prices and we strongly support the SRA's policy of allowing you to judge value for money.

We have always been transparent regarding our fees. There will be no hidden surprises and our costs and anticipated disbursements are fully broken down in our quotes.

Below there are links to our pricing guides that outline typical costs, timescales and disbursements.

• Buying a property price guide

For a more tailored quote, based on your specific circumstances, please contact us direct.