Buy & Sell with the BSPC

The Scottish Borders Solicitors Property Centres

Selling with the BSPC		Buying with the BSPC
	Benefits of BSPC Services		Financial & Legal
	Valuation & Marketing Strategy		Interest & Viewing
	Showing your Home

Selling with the BSPC

Selling property requires the services of an estate agent and solicitor - but why pay twice? The BSPC provides both services under one roof, making it the easiest, fastest and most cost-effective way to sell your home.

Benefits of BSPC Services

The benefits of using a BSPC member firm are many and varied, but all are designed to get results. Locally based, your BSPC solicitor is a reliable authority on house prices and current market trends in the area - crucial factors in determining the right asking price and compiling a cost-effective marketing strategy.

Only the BSPC gives you access to:

The BSPC Property Guide

10,000 copies published and distributed to more than 250 local outlets every fortnight – more with regular seasonal insertions in the local press
The largest free property guide in Borders region
Full colour property advertisements in a user-friendly price order format
An international subscriber mailing service for overseas buyers

www.bspc.co.uk

THE property website for the Scottish Borders, generates over 35,000 visits and more than 600 email enquiries every month
FREE property advertising until sold
Property matching and portfolio services, property database search, and daily website update facility
Online directory of DIY and property-related services

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Valuation & Marketing Strategy

Contact a BSPC Solicitor Contact your local BSPC solicitor to arrange a valuation and outline the marketing strategy - pricing, schedules, advertising, For Sale board, etc.

Discuss timescales and a potential date of entry (ideally to coincide with your next move). The BSPC's one-off marketing fee includes internet advertising until sold as well as inclusion in the BSPC Property Guide - both exclusive to BSPC clients.

The BSPC comprises 24 member firms of solicitors operating from 37 offices located throughout the Borders region.

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Showing your Home

Your solicitor will also offer any necessary tips and advice for showing your home. While it doesn't pay at this stage to carry out major renovations, there are inexpensive ways to make your home look fresh, stylish and inviting, inside and out. Smarten up exterior paintwork, give the front door a makeover and make sure the front garden is neat and tidy - first impressions are lasting impressions. Inside, less is always more. Freshen paintwork (neutral shades are best) and de-clutter everywhere, including cupboards. Rooms should be as clear as possible, as should kitchen worksurfaces. Fresh flowers, a welcoming fire and good lighting help set the scene. Make sure your home is spotlessly clean and tidy, even if it means packing away ornaments, toys, bikes etc for a week or two.

Viewers hoping to become buyers will request a valuation or survey be carried out prior to submitting an offer. Your solicitor may set a closing date for offers and will advise on the conveyancing procedure thereafter.

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Buying with the BSPC

Speak to your local BSPC solicitor in the first instance and use his or her local knowledge to determine what you can realistically afford. Also outline any other potentially legal issues, eg buying with a friend or partner.

Financial & Legal

Your solicitor will give you an estimate of the costs involved and outline the buying procedure. As well as legal fees you may also have to budget for Stamp Duty, mortgage valuation or survey fees, buildings and contents insurance, deposit for mortgage - maybe even a bridging loan. Better to plan on a worst-case basis than have to cope with unexpected charges after the budget is spent. If you're taking out a mortgage you may also have to pay an arrangement fee and mortgage indemnity fee (a one-off insurance payment which ensures the lender doesn't lose out financially if you default on the mortgage and the property has to be resold). It's advisable to have the availability of a mortgage agreed in principle before you begin looking for a house, otherwise another buyer could beat to it.

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Interest & Viewing

When you find a property, contact your solicitor to lodge a note of interest with the seller's solicitor. This ensures that you'll be informed if a closing date is set. Ideally, view the property at different times of day (soft lighting after-dark can be very deceptive), look for obvious defects, ask to see fuel bills, building warrants or guarantees for any improvements/alterations, clarify what's included in the price, and check out the surrounding area for schools, transport links etc.

When your offer is accepted, your solicitor will conclude the missives - a legally binding contract between buyer and seller - and complete the conveyancing procedure.

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