Services

Home / Services / Property / Residential Property / Sale & Purchase

Sale & Purchase

At Cullimore Dutton, our experienced solicitors make buying or selling your home as smooth and stress-free as possible. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, moving up the ladder, or managing a complex leasehold transaction, we guide you through every step.

Selling a Property

Freehold Sales

When you sell a freehold property with us, we will:

  • Verify your identity (as required by anti-money laundering rules)
  • Obtain your title deeds and prepare the draft contract of sale
  • Request property information and fixtures/fittings forms from you
  • Send draft contracts, title documents, and information to the buyer’s solicitor
  • Respond to the buyer’s solicitor’s enquiries
  • Exchange contracts and agree a completion date
  • Approve the transfer deed and resolve any final legal issues
  • Prepare a detailed completion statement
  • Complete the sale, redeem any mortgage, and pay your estate agent

Leasehold Sales

In addition to the steps above, we will also:

  • Liaise with the freeholder or management company
  • Provide the buyer with leasehold documentation and handle related enquiries

Buying a Property

Freehold Purchases

  • When you purchase a freehold property with us, we will:
  • Verify your identity (anti-money laundering compliance)
  • Review contract documents from the seller’s solicitor
  • Carry out searches on the property and surrounding area
  • Raise enquiries with the seller’s solicitor
  • Review and explain your mortgage offer
  • Report to you on the legal title and highlight any key issues
  • Exchange contracts and agree a completion date
  • Prepare the Transfer Deed and Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) return
  • Complete the purchase, pay SDLT, and register your ownership with the Land Registry

Leasehold Purchases

In addition to the above, we will also:

  • Review and report on lease terms, obligations, and restrictions
  • Liaise with the freeholder or management company where needed
  • Ensure service charges, ground rent, and other leasehold matters are correctly handled

FAQs

On average, a straightforward transaction takes between 8–12 weeks. Timescales depend on factors such as the length of the chain, mortgage approval, and responses to enquiries. We will keep you updated throughout.

Disbursements are third-party costs paid on your behalf, such as Land Registry fees, searches, and Stamp Duty Land Tax. We provide a clear breakdown of all costs at the outset, so there are no hidden surprises.

This depends on the purchase price of the property, whether it is your first home, a second property, or an investment. We will calculate the correct SDLT and submit the return on your behalf.

On completion, purchase funds are transferred, keys are released, and you can move into your new property. If you are selling, any existing mortgage will be redeemed and sale proceeds transferred to you.

Yes. Our team regularly deals with a wide range of transactions, including those involving multiple parties, leasehold issues, trusts, and investment structures.

Not at all. We act for clients across England and Wales and can handle everything by phone, email, and post.