Offer accepted... what next?

Natmour1

I've just has an offer accepted on a property. The estate agent are really keen to move things along quickly. They've said that I need to pay the legal team to take the house off the market. I'll get this back if the sell doesn't go through.
I've got a mortgage in principle with Halifax but the estate agents have asked me to go through them (apparently it will still be Halifax). Will I be charged for this service?

Basically, I've had the offer accepted and now I don't know what to do.
Can you help?

walwyn1978

You don't have to get a mortgage through the EA. Show them your current mortgage in principle and tell them you don't need to go through them. If they jib, and make noises about you losing the property, they're on dodgy ground.

pawlala

Get your own solicitor who specialise in conveyancing. Preferably someone local to you who are recommended. Don't pay anybody else a thing until you've run it by your own legal team, not the EA's. House purchasing should not be rushed!

walwyn1978

Also, this 'pay the legal team to take the house of the market' - what's that? Maybe it's just me being thick but never heard that before. If that is accepted practice now, every days a school day...

pawlala

Me neither. Maybe its the next big thing up from the "we'll take the house off the market when you've paid for a survey"

Natmour1

The gentleman on the phone didn't really explain a lot so I don't really understand what's happening. I don't want to be naive and for them to charge me ridiculous amounts.

pawlala

Get a conveyancing solicitor pronto and then you won't be on your own. Welcome to MSE btw

Natmour1

Thank you!

pawlala

Have a read of this as well. Some bits you'll probably know already and plenty you won't. A bit of bedtime reading for tonight

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mortgages/buying-a-home-timeline

walwyn1978

Right:
Get your own mortgage in principle - already done
Get your own solicitor - NOT THEIR in house option

If they start claiming that if you're not using their in house stuff you're not getting the house, consider a letter to the current owner saying you're very happy to buy their house a t the agreed price but are not prepared to use the in house stuff. Keep it civil. The owner is more likely to tell the EA to back off rather than lose the sale

Rambosmum

DO NOT PAY their legal team. Find your own conveyancer - get recommendations off friends and family or phone some local ones and get quotes.

DO NOT use their mortgage adviser - you have an agreement in principle.

Next, get your survey organised then apply for your mortgage and get the conveyancing started.

You are a FTB so the estate agent will try and sell you everything, be firm. You may have to be really really firm.