Instructing a solicitor for the first time can feel daunting, particularly if you are buying or selling a home and are not sure what the process involves. As Ballymoney solicitors, we are proud members of our local community and do all we can to put our clients at ease from the moment they instruct us to the conclusion of their transaction.
To speak to our experts please call us on 028 2766 6698 or Make An Online Enquiry.
What happens when you first contact us?
Most people get in touch once a sale has been agreed, although there is no reason to wait until then. An initial conversation costs you nothing and often saves time later, particularly if there is anything unusual about the property or your circumstances.
At that first stage we will ask for some basic details, including the address of the property, whether you are buying, selling or both, whether a mortgage is involved and the name of the estate agent if one is acting. We will then explain the likely steps, give you an idea of timescales, and provide a quotation. We would always rather have this conversation early than be brought in once difficulties have already started to develop.
What will you receive in writing?
Solicitors in Northern Ireland are required by the Law Society of Northern Ireland to provide written terms of business at the start of a residential transaction, setting out fees or how they will be calculated, together with the likely additional costs. We issue this to every client before we start work.
The document sets out our own fee alongside the expenses that arise on a typical matter, sometimes called disbursements. These include search fees, Land Registry fees, any Stamp Duty Land Tax payable to HM Revenue and Customs, and the cost of an Energy Performance Certificate where one is needed.
Why do we ask for identification and proof of funds?
Every solicitor is required to verify the identity of their clients, so we will ask for photographic identification, such as a passport or driving licence, together with a recent document confirming your address. This is a legal obligation rather than a formality, and we cannot begin work without it.
On a purchase, we also have to establish where the money is coming from. If you are using savings, we will ask to see how they were built up. If funds are being gifted by a family member, which is common with first time buyers, we will need details from the person making the gift and confirmation of its source. Where a mortgage is involved, we will need your lender’s details and a copy of the offer once issued.
Who will you be dealing with?
One of the most common complaints people have about legal work is never speaking to the same person twice. We are a small, friendly firm, and that is not how we operate. You will deal with a team who know you and your matter, and you can call into our office at 19 High Street to sign documents, drop off papers, or ask a question in person rather than waiting for a reply by email if you prefer.
We also offer support in more than one language, including Polish, so that clients can deal with us in the language they are most comfortable using. Buying or selling a property involves documents that carry real consequences, and we do not want you to sign anything you have not fully understood.
What else can we help with?
Although conveyancing brings many people to us, property matters rarely sit entirely on their own. Clients who are buying a home sometimes want to make a will at the same time, which is sensible and straightforward to deal with alongside the purchase. Where a property is being sold as part of an estate, the conveyancing and the probate work need to run together, and it helps to have one firm handling both. Couples buying jointly sometimes want advice on how the property should be held between them. Because we deal with these areas as well, we can look after them together rather than sending you elsewhere.
How will we keep you informed?
We tell clients what is happening as a matter of course rather than waiting to be chased. We will contact you when we receive search results, when enquiries are answered, and when a completion date is being discussed. If you have queries or concerns during the course of your matter, we will be on hand to answer them promptly and comprehensively..
How do you take the first step?
If you are buying or selling in the town or the wider County Antrim area, or you simply want to understand what is involved before committing to anything, we would be glad to hear from you.
To speak to our experts please call us on 028 2766 6698 or Make An Online Enquiry.