Poole Property Lawyers | Easy Step-By-Step Guide To Moving

Bournemouth & Poole property lawyers helping you through the first steps in selling & buying a house in Dorset.

Buying and selling property can be a daunting process. Coles Miller Conveyancing Solicitors aim to take the worry out of moving home.

Once an offer has been accepted on your existing home and you have had an offer accepted on the property that you would like to buy, it's time to start the conveyancing process. This is a quick guide to some of the things you need to consider at this early stage.

Here at Coles Miller, our property lawyers want your sale or purchase to go without a hitch and are committed to giving you as much help and guidance as they can.

1. Make a firm decision to sell

There is nothing more frustrating for a buyer than setting his heart on a house, instructing solicitors and paying a survey fee only for the owner to say that he is not serious about moving yet. The advice here is that you should avoid putting your home on the market until you are ready.

2. Instruct an Estate Agent

It is always advisable to use an estate agent that has been recommended to you, or one that you have used in the past. Always find out their charges and what kind of service you can expect. As is often the case, cheapest may not necessarily be the best.

3. Get a mortgage agreed

If you are going to need a mortgage to buy your new home, it is best to get it approved in principle at an early stage. This is not the same as obtaining a formal mortgage offer, but it gives a good indication as to what a bank/building society would be prepared to lend you. This enables you to go house hunting knowing exactly what you can afford to buy and will help to convince a seller that you are serious and are able to fund the purchase.

4. Wait for an acceptable offer on your home

We recommend that you wait until you have an acceptable offer on your home before making offers on others although this doesn't stop you from looking. This way you will be in a position to proceed straight away and there is less chance of someone else having an offer accepted on your chosen property, whilst you are still trying to sell your own.

5. Should I accept the offer

Before accepting an offer you will wish to know something about the position of the person making it. Are they genuine? Can they afford it? If they can afford it, are they cash buyers or do they need a mortgage? Have they sold their own property? It is quite common for buyers to say that they are cash buyers when in fact what they mean is either a) that they have some money saved for the deposit or b) they will not need a mortgage but have a house to sell. Be careful to check what they mean - a "cash buyer" is someone who has all the money in the bank and does not need to sell.

A good estate agent will obtain this information from the buyer at the time that they make their offer. You are therefore in possession of all the facts and are then in a position to decide whether or not to accept the offer. In an ideal world a buyer will not require a mortgage and will not have an existing property to sell. Unfortunately this is rarely the case and you will have to rely on your estate agent and solicitor for advice.

For Roger Leedham, Senior Partner

“We have used Coles Miller for every house move (and there have been quite a few!) since 1987. Roger Leedham and the team made our recent move in 2018 as smooth and stress free as a house move can ever be. Nothing is ever too much trouble and the brilliant communication between Coles Miller and all the other parties in the chain helped us manage timescales and dates seamlessly. I recommend Roger Leedham and Coles Miller to anyone about to move house.”

For Jason Barnett, partner

We just wanted to say a huge thank you for all your help and hard work on our purchase. You ensured the transaction ran smoothly and that communication was always thorough and professional; we would highly recommend you to others.

For Ruth Elkins, Partner

“I used Ruth Elkins of Coles Miller Broadstone for the conveyancing of my late mother's house in Broadstone. I have moved house myself several times but never used Coles Miller before. I wish I had! It was the most stress-free and efficient house conveyancing I have experienced and everyone I encountered in the office was friendly and helpful. I would recommend Coles Miller to anyone.”

For Michelle Vick Partner, Chartered Legal Executive

“Michelle – you have been my ‘true north’ throughout this whole process. Understanding, knowledgeable, honest and considerate whilst always acting with integrity and my best intentions. I would highly recommend you and Coles Miller to friends, family and colleagues. You have kept me in the loop every step of the way and I have never felt the need to chase for updates. Also, understanding my needs, wants and concerns (first time buyers) was truly refreshing. You are a definitive representation of how customer service should be provided!”

Lianne Clenton Bray, Associate Solicitor

"Lianne Clenton Bray from Poole branch recently acted for us. Very helpful, as was her team. Many thanks Lianne."

For Pam Coniam, Conveyancing Executive

“Pam and her team were recommended to us by our financial advisor; we couldn’t be happier with the service provided. As first time buyers, the whole process was new and confusing, Pam made this simple right from the initial meeting – explaining what was needed at each stage. We were advised on all the necessary points that came up before exchange and any problems were quickly resolved by Coles Miller. The exchange and completion went through without a hitch and minimal stress. We will definitely be back when it’s time to move up the ladder.”

For Katie Owen, Solicitor

“I'd just like to say thank you for all your help with the purchase of my house and for the lovely card. I'd especially like to say how much I appreciated your quick responses to my queries something that I have not found with other solicitors."

For Laura Hall, Solicitor

“We have just finalised the sale of our last home and the purchase of our new home. It has been very stressful and frustrating for many reasons. Laura and Roger from Coles Miller have been absolutely amazing. We have received sound advice, they have covered our backs at every angle, and they have been extremely professional and proactive. We had many obstacles on the way due to selling a leasehold property, long delays from our buyer waiting for their mortgage offer, seller being awkward etc. Thank you Coles Miller for taking so much pressure and stress off our shoulders.”

For Deborah Bradburn, Legal Assistant

"Thank you for helping us get everything through again so quickly. We shall definitely recommend you both to everyone we know, as we think you and Roger have been extremely efficient and helpful throughout the whole process."