The property market in Scotland today is fast-moving with properties are being sold well in excess of the Home Report value, and there are no signs of it slowing down any time soon. It’s important that you get all of your paperwork in order to avoid any delays in the sale of your property.
This dynamic market requires sellers to be prepared to avoid anything happening that could cause your sale to fall through. Although some delays are outwith your control, if both you and your solicitor get the relevant documents together at the very beginning of the selling process, you’ll avoid some of the most common delays.
Documentation required
It’s essential that you have gathered all the relevant documents you need when selling your home. This includes your mortgage loan information, the sale agreement from when you bought your home, a copy of the deed and title report, property tax information including recent bills, any appliance or home structural building warranties, survey reports and details of your home insurances.
Property alterations
If you have carried out any work to your home, such as an extension, layout change, cavity wall insulation or even treatment for dry rot, it’s important that you have the guarantees to hand – these would have been given to you when the work was completed. Your solicitor will need these so it’s a good idea to get everything in order to save trying to get copies when time is of the essence.
With structural alternations, you’ll need proof of consent i.e. planning permission documents. You should also be able to show a building warrant, completion certificate along with the approved plans for all structural alterations that have been carried out in the last 20 years. If you don’t have these, or they were never given to you, make sure you let your solicitor know as soon as you can. There are ways to remedy the situation but it can take some time and it’s best to start sourcing these as early in the process as possible.
Title Deeds
It’s essential that you know where your title deeds are. The likelihood is that if you have a mortgage, your lender will have them. However, it’s important to double-check where these are and who holds them if it’s not you. If your title deeds are with the lender, your solicitor will need details of your lender and account number so that they can request a copy. Some lenders can take weeks to get this information to your solicitor, so the sooner you do this the better.
Fortunately Glasgow was one of the first regions to register property in the Land Register, so it’s likely that your solicitor can download a copy of the title deed whilst they wait for the principal deed.
Talk to us
Speak to one of our independent mortgage advisors for impartial help and advice on gathering the correct documentation to avoid any delays to your property sale, and for access to the widest selection of competitive mortgage deals in the UK.
The Mortgage Hub is an independent mortgage advisor serving the greater Glasgow area. Whether you are planning to buy your very first home and need the right first time buyer mortgage, or are looking to re-mortgage due to a house move or to growing family – we understand your journey is so much more than a financial process, it’s a journey to achieve your dreams, improve your lifestyle and achieve your true potential.