Lyons Bowe will handle the legal side of your house purchase by checking the contract to protect you, carrying out property searches, and raising any necessary questions. We'll keep you informed about the process, including the contract and your mortgage. We'll also manage the exchange of contracts, transfer funds, deal with Stamp Duty Land Tax, and register you as the new owner. Expect regular updates through our app, emails, and direct communication.

When viewing houses, pay attention to the location and whether it suits your lifestyle for work and amenities. Consider the condition and if any major repairs seem needed, as well as the size and layout to ensure it fits your needs. Think about its potential for future changes. It's always wise to get a professional survey, and Lyons Bowe can handle all the important legal checks for you.

First home schemes are designed to help people buy their first home by making it more affordable. They aim to tackle challenges like saving for a big deposit or managing mortgage costs. Examples include Shared Ownership, where you buy a share of a property and pay rent on the rest, and the Lifetime ISA, where the government adds a bonus to your savings for your first home. Contact Lyons Bowe to learn more about these schemes and how we can assist with the legal side of your purchase.

Being a first-time buyer can give you a few helpful advantages. You might be eligible for government schemes that can provide financial help, like with your deposit. Also, you don't have a property to sell first, which can make the buying process simpler and faster. Lyons Bowe can help you understand and take advantage of these benefits.

There isn't one single "best" mortgage for all first-time buyers. It depends on your savings, how much you earn, your credit history, and your priorities. Some people want the lowest total cost over the long run, while others prefer lower monthly payments to make budgeting easier. Contact Lyons Bowe for guidance on finding the right mortgage for your needs and budget. We can also help with the legal side of buying your house.

Exchange is when the final contracts are exchanged between solicitors. Once the contracts are exchanged, you and the seller are legally bound to the transaction of the property and cannot back out of the transaction. Completion is the date on which ownership of the property is officially transferred over and monies are moved.

Definitely! However, when buying a new built you need to be aware that the buyers of your current property may not be comfortable with a completion on notice. You may want to consider “breaking the chain” i.e. selling your property before you complete on your new build. This may mean temporarily moving into rented accommodation.

If you are purchasing your property with a mortgage, property searches will be a requirement of the lender. If you are a cash buyer, then property searches aren’t a requirement but we strongly recommend that you take out property searches and a survey. Together, these precautions will help to mitigate the risk of running into unsuspected issues later down the line.

The Lyons Bowe Abortive Pledge covers your legal fees should your transaction fall through for any reason outside of your control. If your transaction falls through due to no fault of your own, your legal fees will be covered. All you will need to pay for is the disbursements you’ve already incurred up until that point, which will be outlined in your fee estimate.

The average purchase will take between 12-16 weeks to complete. Whilst we will do everything that we can to ensure a speedy and thorough transaction, we are also dependant on third parties (such as councils and search providers) as well as the seller’s side to achieve this goal. We will keep you up to date every step of the way with live updates through your app and via email.