Buying a new home is as stressful as it is exciting.
At Karl Bennett & Co, our passion is helping people in Belfast find and secure their dream homes. From initial enquiries to completion day, our team are experts on all aspects of the property purchasing process. Take a look at our guide to buying a home in Northern Ireland.
The first step is to establish your budget
A professional mortgage advisor will help you determine what you can afford, including the deposit you'll need to put down. We arrange for our clients to meet with independent mortgage advisors, who are not tied to any specific lender. They will then work with you to find the best deals on the market, based on what you can afford to borrow.
This is a free service and there is no obligation to act on any quotes you receive.
If you need to sell your current house before making a purchase, then speak to our expert team to get this process started.
As property prices constantly change, it's crucial to begin by getting an up to date valuation on your current home.
You'll also need to find an experienced and reliable solicitor. We recommend engaging a solicitor prior to making an offer so that the conveyance can get underway quickly after your offer is accepted.
As experts in the local property market, we are able to recommend solicitors with a proven track record of professionalism. We will then help your solicitor to make the process as smooth and transparent as possible.
We'll also work closely with you and your solicitor to ensure effective communication throughout the process. Your solicitor will also advise you with regards to paying Stamp Duty. This is a form of tax, based on the value of the property.
Begin your house hunts by considering the type of property you'd like to purchase
We will work with you throughout your search so you don't waste time on unsuitable properties.
We offer extensive information on all of our properties, including descriptions, specifications, photos and digital brochures. The more information you have upfront the easier it is to find your dream home.
We believe in getting to know our clients. This means that when a property you'll love comes on the market, we'll tell you and book a viewing.
Once you find the home of your dreams, it's time to make an offer. We will advise on this process, including what kind of offer to market and what conditions to attach, before forwarding it directly to the seller.
At this point we'll help you to gather evidence of your financial situation to prove that your offer is serious.
When the seller accepts your offer, we will confirm this in writing to you and your solicitor. If you need a mortgage, you'll then need to make a formal application. We'll also work with your solicitor to make all of the necessary enquiries about the property.
The solicitors will arrange for the contracts to be signed by both parties. You'll then need to pay your deposit and agree a completion date with the seller.
Final completion and moving in
When your completion day arrives, the funds for your property will be released from your solicitor to the seller's. At this point, you can collect your keys and begin moving in.