It is an exciting time buying your new home. What lies ahead of you from finding the house of your dreams to getting those keys can often be a mystery for many. You may be visiting a solicitor for the first time and you are unsure of what their role is in the whole process.

When you find your dream home the auctioneer will request you to put a booking deposit down. This can often be between 2-5% of the purchase price of the property. If you have a solicitor you can pay this deposit through them, alternatively you can pay the auctioneer directly and then engage a solicitor. The first option is preferable.

Prior to entering into the contracts, you will be advised to have a structural survey done by an engineer to ensure that the property you are buying is sound from a structural perspective. Similarly it would be important for your engineer to do a boundary survey and if any discrepancies arise with the boundary, you can request the vendor to sort these out prior to proceeding with the house purchase. A town planning search should also be carried out at your local county council. This search will highlight any new plans in the immediate vicinity of the property, such as, a road widening project or a new crèche being built.

Doing these preliminary checks on the property means, that when you do get the keys, you will be able to enjoy the property free from any issues.

A BER rating will advise you of how well the property is insulated. You may need to budget for better insulation in the property.

You will need to liaise closely with your bank manager if you are getting a loan/mortgage over the property. They will need you to comply with a set of preconditions before you can draw the money such as having a life policy in place, house insurance and direct debit mandates set up. Paperwork takes time so it is best to work closely with your bank manager to ensure all of these requirements are met early on in the process.

You will need to give your solicitor the balance 10% (less the booking deposit) of the purchase price on the signing of the contracts. You need to factor this in when doing your budgeting.

Your solicitor will examine the title to include the ownership, planning, tax, rights of way etc and assuming this is all in order, the file will move swiftly onto closing, or in non-legal speak, closer to you getting your keys!

The legal process is not difficult assuming you engage a knowledgeable property solicitor in Limerick who has the experience to deal with any issues, should they arise. We are Roisin O’Connell Solicitors have this requisite experience to help you get those keys that they are dreaming of holding. Your happiness is our business.

For more information on buying a new home contact Roisin at roisin@rocs.ie or call 061 502005.

This article is general in nature and cannot be regarded as legal advice. It is general commentary only. You should not rely on the contents of this article without consulting one of our Solicitors. If you would like advice regarding how the law applies to your individual circumstances, then please contact Roisin O’Connell Solicitors.