Making your home move graceful...

Ashleigh grace

Ashleigh grace

Ashleigh grace

Your life, your home...

it's your move.

Thinking of selling or buying ?

on average we each move 8 times

in our lives.

An expert valuation is key to your sale

move forward...

Buyers deserve a great service too!It's widely known that buying a home is one of the most stressful experiences - at Ashleigh Grace, we don't believe it has to be that way. We put ourselves in your shoes to better understand how we could simplify the process, remove as much of the stress as possible, and make moving home an altogether different experience.

Renowned for our friendly, approachable style, we will guide you through the process of buying your home. To ensure things runs smoothly and keep on track our in-house dedicated Transaction Support Department will keep on top of everything for you, keeping you informed at every stage.

We believe it is the quality of our service that you remember long after your boxes are unpacked and it's this quality that sees you recommending us and returning, time and time again.

The internet has revolutionised searching for a property and is now the first port of call for the great majority of househunters.

Via the web we can reach the largest possible audience for your property, from those looking to move locally, to those relocating from overseas. Our website is full of useful resources and valuable information, and allows you to save and compare properties.

open all hours!

We radically rethought our particulars to bring you a magazine style layout with all the information you need in a logical, intuitive format.

Placing the floorplan and accommodation description together helps you get a better grasp of the property's layout... plus larger photographs... quick reference tick boxes... info-box... driving directions and more...

This design introduced another industry first: the My Viewing box. This simple idea helps to ensure viewings aren't missed and gives you room for jotting notes and questions that come to mind.

With key decisions to be made, being fully informed is crucial

particularly different

Ashleigh Grace's accompanied viewings enable you to view a property at your leisure, and without feeling that you're invading the privacy of the owner.

We understand that viewings can be quite daunting, particularly as first time buyers. You want to be able to feel free to explore the property to help you make one of the biggest decisions of your life.

Our expert agents will apprise you of as much local information as you require, and if you have any questions about the property or area that can't be answered on the spot, we will follow up so you're able to make a fully informed decision about the property.

your viewings!

We understand the importance of having a great team - and in leading that team by example.

That's why the three directors of Ashleigh Grace Estate Agency adopt a hands on approach and are very much part of the day-to-day running of the company. This balance of highly experienced team leaders alongside dynamic, proactive team players provides a unique standard of service.

Be reassured that we are hard working, friendly, approachable, highly motivated, committed to customer service and to delivering exceptional results.

our expert team

All estate agents are required to protect their clients by registering with an Estate Agents Redress Scheme approved by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

At Ashleigh Grace we do this willingly and are a member of the Ombudsman for Estate Agents Schemes for Residential Sales and we abide by their Codes of Practice. This not only benefits our clients by upholding the highest of standards of service, but also by affording them peace of mind that their welfare is of the utmost importance.

you’re in safe hands

your one stop property shop

Buying a property is probably one of the most important moves you will make in your lifetime.

There are several key steps involved in the buying process and whether you're a first time buyer, or an investor well versed in these matters, this quick reference may be of help.

buying with ashleigh grace

We will have noted all of your property requirements when you registered with us, so now the search begins!

We will send you details of all the properties we currently have available that meet your criteria and will keep you updated as we take on new properties.

If you have a certain area or road in mind and there are currently no properties for sale, Ashleigh Grace are more than happy to approach home owners with a mailshot, to see if we can find a home for you.

Property search

Should you require a mortgage, it is important to speak to a Mortgage Advisor as early as possible to determine how much you are able to borrow.

They will find you the best possible mortgage deal and can start the application for you. Once the mortgage application has been accepted they will issue you with a certificate for a 'mortgage agreed in principle' which can be used to prove to a seller that you have the necessary funds available to finance your purchase.

We have our own highly trained Independent Mortgage Advisors who would be delighted to work with you to secure you the best possible deal.

Mortgages

When viewing a property, you may be happy to meet with the current owner and for them to personally show you around their home.

In many cases, we find that Ashleigh Grace've purchasers appreciate us meeting them at the property and conducting the viewing ourselves.

During the viewing we should be able to answer any questions you may have regarding the property and its location - school catchments for example. In the event that we are unable to answer a particular question during your viewing, we will endeavour to obtain the information later and promptly call you back.

Viewings

The compulsory Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) has been introduced to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings. If you are selling or letting a home you now need a certificate by law. EPC's are required whenever a building is built, sold or rented out. The certificate provides 'A' to 'G' ratings for the building, with 'A' being the most energy efficient and 'G' being the least, with the average up to now being 'D’.

EPC

Once you have found a suitable property and are (ideally) in a position to proceed, you can make an offer.

We will put this offer forward to the seller along with any relevant information about your position and proceedability. If the price isn't right then we'll do everything we can to negotiate a price both parties are happy with.

Making an offer

Congratulations - your offer has been accepted!

It is worth remembering that there are still no legal obligations between buyer and seller until contracts have been signed.

The property now becomes 'Sold - Subject to Contract' and you may wish to stipulate that it be removed from the market if you are in a proceedable position.

Offer accepted!

You may already have your own solicitor who you wish to use for your conveyancing. If not we are able to recommend solicitors who will act on your behalf. Solicitors recommended by us offer a 'no sale no fee' service.

Having instructed your Solicitor, you should forward their details to both your Client Manager here at Ashleigh Grace and to your lender if you are taking out a mortgage.

We will then send out a Memorandum of Sale, detailing both vendor and purchaser's Solicitors to inform all relevant parties.

Appoint a solicitor

Your Solicitor will apply for local authority searches on the property you are purchasing.

Your lender will then instruct a surveyor to inspect the property, which is usually a simple Valuation survey to satisfy a lender of the property's worth, For peace of mind, a homebuyer can get a Homebuyer's Survey, providing a broad overview of the property's condition or a Full Structural Survey. These will bring to light any particular problems in the areas surveyed and make recommendations where appropriate, for their repair.

We advise that you read your Survey report very carefully and take advice if you are unsure about any point raised.

Searches & surveys

Completion follows Exchange - perhaps on the same day but most often a few days to a few weeks afterwards. A date is often set in advance which enables all paperwork to be in good order and arrangements to be made for transferring funds. Setting a date is vital when a chain is involved and several moves take place on the same day.

Once the completion funds have been successfully transferred from your solicitor's bank account to the seller's solicitor, we will be delighted to present you with the keys to your new home.

Completion

Get organised in advance, make lists: there are lots of people to contact and notify - moving day is usually a very busy day and it's best not to leave anything to chance!

If you have a lot of furniture or possessions it may be worth hiring a removal company to take care of your move for you.

You will need to make sure you have redirected your post and notified your telephone, water, gas and electricity providers and taken final readings too. You should take meter readings when you arrive at your new property too.

Moving day

Contracts will now be signed and exchanged between both parties' solicitors. You will also be required to pay your deposit to your solicitor, and it is at this stage that you are legally committed to proceed with the purchase of the property.

If you do not proceed with your purchase after exchange you may lose your deposit; if the seller pulls out, your deposit will be returned. Unless your solicitor offers a 'no sale no fee' policy you may still be liable for the legal costs incurred to that point. Once contracts have been exchanged, you should arrange buildings insurance cover on the property.

Exchange of Contracts

Yes please!

I'd love

someone

to look after

all aspects

of my

move

Sales Progression & Conveyancing

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring the ownership of a property and it is standard practice to instruct a solicitor to undertake this for you. We recommend you instruct a solicitor at an early stage as possible in order to save time later. They will be able to obtain your deeds in advance and begin preparing some of the necessary paperwork and documentation.

C h o o s i n g t h e r i g h t s o l i c i t o r s o r conveyancers to deal with the legalities of your move is one for the most important parts of the process. Ashleigh Grace can provide a comprehensive, affordable, conveyancing package with fixed legal fees, a no sale no fee promise and with over 70 specialist regional solicitors specialising in property conveyancing.

Conveyancing

In the UK a large number of property sales fail to reach completion. This can, in most cases, be avoided by all involved parties communicating properly and keeping on top of the sale and chain. This ensures that everyone stays informed at all times and if a problem arises they are able to act quickly to resolve it.

We believe that in order to provide the best service you need to employ the best staff: we bring together professionals with a solid track record who are committed to combining a first class service, with competent and sensible advice. Our customer feedback forms reiterate to us how invaluable our Sales Progression service proves to be: we are delighted to report our clients rate it very highly indeed with positive comments and excellent feedback.

Ashleigh Grace conveyancing offer a web based tracking system which provides instant information to home movers on the progress of their move. When customers log in, they are taken to a secure web area which shows the progress of their transaction.

As soon as a stage of your move is c o m p l e t e d , t h e y w i l l automatically update your private page on our website and an email will be sent to notify you each time a transaction has been updated.

Sales Progression Online tracking

When buying and selling a p r o p e r t y , m a n a g i n g t h e associated expenses closely is the key. That is why we have i n t r o d u c e d o u r h i g h l y competitive fixed price fee. From day one, you will be given a fully inclusive guaranteed figure for conveyancing, regardless of any subsequent complications and you will be provided with the final figure from your initial quote.

Fixed Fees

5. Mortgage details. Your lender will send you and your solicitor the mortgage offer. The solicitor is responsible for explaining the terms and conditions of your mortgage offer. The Contract documentation and Mortgage Deed will then be sent to you for approval and signature, after which you return it to your solicitor.

6. E x c h a n g e o f c o n t r a c t s . Exchange of contracts takes place between the two parties' solicitors, usually by telephone. Following exchange, your signed contact is forwarded to the other party's solicitor/conveyancer and they in turn will send their party's signed contract to your solicitor. At this stage, you and your seller/buyer will be legally committed to the transaction. Usually at this stage a date will have been confirmed for legal completion. Your solicitor will then complete any final searches required by your lender and prepare the completion statement requesting any additional money from you (if applicable).

1. Getting started. Initially the solicitor will provide you with a formal instruction form and other documents which will enable them to gather all of the relevant details about you and your house. Once you confirm your interest in working with the solicitor, they will proceed with the transaction.

2. Sale of your property. Once your sale has been agreed, you should inform us of your conveyancing solicitor's details so that we can send them the relevant paperwork.

3. Purchase of your property. The solicitor can also carry out all of the legal work involved in the purchase of your property. Initially, all you need to do is provide us and your mortgage broker with the solicitor's details. Your selling agent's solicitor/conveyancer will then be able to contact your solicitor to confirm instructions.

4. Searches on your purchase. Once your newly appointed solicitor has received the contract documentation from your sellers' solicitor, they will be able to progress the necessary searches of the Local Authority, Water Authority and Environmental Agency.

The Conveyancing process

On the day of legal Completion your solicitor will:ŸArrange legal paperwork ŸDischarge your mortgage and/or draw-down funds for your new mortgage ŸPay your fees as per the Terms of Agency Agreement you have signed ŸArrange the legal documentation to be signed for the transfer of the property at H M Land Registry and register your ownership ŸPay your fees as per the Terms of Agency Agreement you have signed

Completion of your move

Prior to legal completion, your solicitor will require any monies due to them to be cleared funds in time for legal completion. They will deduct their fees, disbursement costs and stamp duty from the balance at legal completion. Finally, you will liaise with your agent for the release of the keys to the property.

Payment of fees