Buying

Information for Buyers

We pride ourselves on delivering top quality, personal customer service. We believe in staying with you the whole way from the moment agreement has been made and ensure you are kept fully up to date. Not only will we help you find your dream property, we will also guide you through the entire buying process, liaising with all third parties on your behalf.

Whether you are looking to buy your first investment property or are an experienced investor we are able to help. We have experience working with those looking to buy just one property and those with a larger budget looking to invest in a portfolio, commercial property or land. Please feel free to contact us for advice and/or to discuss the types of investments you are interested in.

The first requirement is for you to register your details and property specifications which can be achieved in a number of ways i.e. by email, fax, phone, in person of by completing our registration form. This will give us an insight into your personal requirements, thereby enabling us to modify the details sent to you. Once registered, you are then in a position to receive details from us directly in person, via mail or email or download and print these out from our website.

Viewing

Our friendly team are available to arrange those all important viewings of your selected properties. Our offices are open 6 days a week Monday to Friday from 9AM – 7PM & Saturdays 10AM – 4PM. Please contact us to arrange a mutually convenient time 020 3455 265.

Mortgage

In order to speed up your house buying process, it is advisable wherever possible; to get a mortgage agreed in principle before any final decision on your new property is made. This has the advantage of providing you with a clear indication of what is affordable and the fact that you have a mortgage agreed in principle is also attractive to sellers. Stepney Marsh can help by recommending you to our preferred brokers.

Making an Offer

Once you have located your ideal property, your offer will be submitted by us to the vendor for their consideration. This is done both verbally and in writing. NB: Please note that all offers are “subject to contract” and therefore neither party is legally bound until the contract is actually signed.

Offer Accepted

As soon as your offer has been accepted by the vendor, you should instruct a solicitor to act on your behalf. Your solicitor will handle all legal requirements of your purchase (property conveyancing).

Instruct Solicitors

At this point, you also need to formally proceed with your mortgage application and instruct your mortgage consultant/broker accordingly.

Survey

The next step is to obtain the Mortgage Valuation, as required by law. This will be conducted by a Chartered Surveyor acting for your Lender. The report is to provide a Valuation i.e. determine whether the amount to be loaned is secure and also deals with the basic condition of the property. Since you as the buyer are also provided with a copy, it allows both parties to evaluate the findings prior to entering into a commitment to purchase. NB: However, we would not recommend that a buyer relies solely on the Mortgage Valuation survey as the inspection is limited and although it may cost a little more to obtain a more detailed report yourself, this could in the long run save you from making a costly mistake.

Building Survey

Unlike the Homebuyer Survey, this is suitable for all types of property whether conventional or unconventional. The term “unconventional” encompasses properties that have an unusual construction, are historic or Listed Buildings, have been extensively altered or where major work is planned.

The Building Survey is comprehensive and lists full technical details of the construction, materials and condition. It highlights the full spectrum of defects from the more serious down to the insignificant and the terms of the survey are therefore tailored to fit the client’s specific needs.

However, it should be noted that this does not include a valuation and is only conducted by prior agreement.

Buyer Survey

This is the mid-range option as it is more expensive than the Mortgage Valuation but less than the Building Survey (see below). It is a basic service and therefore more appropriate to properties in apparently good condition and conventionally constructed. The survey’s purpose is to highlight any pressing or significant defects and problems which are likely to have an overall impact on the value of the property. The objective of the Homebuyer Survey is to provide a more in depth report which will assist the buyer in making an informed decision whether to proceed with the purchase and also whether the agreed price reflects the actual value. Moreover, the professional opinion of the surveyor as contained in his report will also set out particular features of the property which may possibly have an affect on the present value and potential future marketability.

Properties for Sale

Horizon Building, Hertsmere Road, Isle of Dog, Canary Wharf, London, E14 8AW

£375,000

View Property

Hull Place, Galleons Lock, North Woolwich, London, E16 2SW, E16 2SW

£385,000

View Property

Neutron Tower, 6 Blackwall Way, Docklands, London, E14 9GB

£400,000

View Property

Maltings Close, Twelvetrees Crescent, Bromley by Bow, London, E3 3TD

£429,998

View Property

East Dulwich Grove, London, SE22 8PU

£649,999

View Property