Looking to buy (The Buyer’s Guide)

Registering with an estate agent can be a frustrating ordeal. Registering with the right agent means that you will be kept fully informed of the properties that best suit your needs.

At Dockside Property Services we will inform you about property that matches your requirements aiming not to waste your valuable time. As one of the area’s longest established and leading agents you can be sure that you will be dealt with respectfully and by knowledgeable staff.

Our sales teams are affiliated to the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) and the Ombudsman for Estate Agents (OEA). Therefore they are kept up to date on all upcoming legislations.

The new Home Information Packs (HIPs) legislation was introduced essentially to speed up the house buying process. The information contained within the pack is to provide you with the preliminary paperwork that your lawyer would apply for once the transaction commences. Also included in the pack is an Energy Efficiency Report (EER) that will show you the energy rating of the property and the potential energy rating once recommended changes have been implemented.

The HIP remains the property of the vendor. It is held by the estate agent and a copy can be released to you upon request.

If you have any further questions on any aspect of the house-buying process, please feel free to call the applicable sales office, who will be more than happy to advise you.

 Basic principals of Residential Estate Agency

In order to maintain a high level of service to our customers and ensure compliance with certain legal requirements, Dockside Property Services are members of the NAEA and OEA scheme.

The following quote is from David Quayle of the OEA setting out the basic principles which govern the transfer of ownership of residential property in England.

• “Firstly, an Estate Agent’s primary responsibility remains at all times to their Vendor Client (the seller), while retaining a duty of care and fair treatment to all prospective Buyers.
• Secondly, the Estate Agent holds a legal obligation to forward all offers received for a property to their vendor client, unless they are of an amount or type that which the latter has specifically instructed the Estate Agent in writing not to accept.
• Thirdly, following acceptance of an offer Subject to Contract either party (e.g. Seller or Buyer) can renegotiate either the price or any conditions of the agreed sale, or indeed withdraw without penalty – until such time as Exchange of contracts has taken place.
• Fourthly, it is always the Seller’s decision, and not that of the Estate Agent involved, to whom and at what price a property should be sold. Mortgagees in Possession have a legal obligation to obtain the best price available for a repossessed property, but are allowed latitude in this respect through taking into consideration each individual offeror’s ability to substantiate his/her own offer and willingness to proceed quickly to Exchange of Contracts.”

Looking to buy - frequently asked questions

WHAT PRICE RANGE DO YOU DEAL WITH?

Our properties typically start at around £150,000 and can go up to £5,000,000. This varies very much on which office you are dealing with.

WHICH AREAS DO YOU COVER?

Our Docklands branch deals with Canary Wharf, Isle of Dogs, Limehouse, Poplar, Wapping and Bow.
Our Royal Docks branch deals with Royal Docks, Beckton, North and South Woolwich and Galleons Reach.
Our Rochester office covers the whole of the Medway area.

WHAT TYPE OF PROPERTY DO YOU SPECIALISE IN?

We handle all variants of property, from studio suites to penthouse apartments and from starter homes to five bedroom detached houses.

HOW WILL YOU KEEP ME INFORMED OF NEW PROPERTIES?

Our advanced computer software automatically emails relevant purchasers whenever a new property is received. We also update our website on a daily basis so that you can be sure that you are looking at properties that are actually for sale. We also try to keep in touch with you by telephone; we just ask that you advise us once you no longer require our services.

DO WE HAVE TO PAY FOR YOUR SERVICES?

No, our service to you as a buyer is free of charge.

CAN YOU RECOMMEND A SOLICITOR?

We are happy to advise you of a number of excellent solicitors within your area. Please speak with the relevant Sales Manager who will be happy to provide you with the various names and numbers. It is very important to choose a solicitor within the catchment area that you are looking to buy.

CAN YOU RECOMMEND A MORTGAGE ADVISOR?

Yes, if you speak with one of our Sales Managers, they will be happy to provide you with the relevant contact information.

WHAT ARE HIP’s?

Home Information Packs (HIPs) maybe introduced to speed up the house buying process. As a buyer, you will be provided with a copy of the seller’s HIP which may include some information that your lawyer will require on the title of the property and the searches and an Energy Efficiency Report (EER). This report will essentially give the property an energy rating similar to that found on your appliances. For more comprehensive information on HIPs, please click on the following link: www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk or ask one of our sales advisors.

HOW LONG BEFORE I CAN MOVE IN?

There are so many factors that can determine the expedience of a sale. However, if you choose the correct lawyer and mortgage advisor, we would estimate a purchase exchanging within four to six weeks. We advise making sure you stay in touch with your layer throughout the tranaction. At the point of exchange you agree a move in date with the seller of the property via the lawyers. Generally, this is a week post-completion, but can be any agreed date in the future.