ASK ROSS: No one expects you to understand the entire conveyancing process, particularly if you are a first time buyer. This month, Ross highlights the key points to keep in mind.

Our eminent residential property expert, Ross Ward, answers your questions about moving home. If you have a query about buying or selling, email marketing@tayloremmet.co.uk

My partner and I are buying our first home and we are finding the whole process very confusing. What are the main things we need to concentrate on?

Moving house is very stressful, regardless of experience. Your solicitor will guide you through the transaction and should explain everything to you on the way. If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to ask as it pays to be prepared.

Here are the main things I would recommend you watch out for:

• Ensure your searches are complete – your solicitor will normally examine local council, mining and drainage searches before contracts are exchanged. He or she is checking nothing is registered against the property with the council and that there has been no mining activity that could be a concern.
• Check the survey – has a survey been commissioned? If so, you may want to study the findings and follow up any recommendations made by the surveyor.
• Contracts – if any queries have been raised in relation to your contract or title deeds, or any negotiations or amendments are required, these will need to be resolved before exchange can take place.
• Fixtures and fittings – check your list of fixtures and fittings before committing to a purchase and make sure everything you agreed is still in your new property when you take ownership.
• Synchronisation – if your purchase is part of a chain, all of the contracts are exchanged simultaneously. The solicitors involved will want to make certain their related transactions are ready so exchange of contracts can take place on the same day.
• Weekend moving days – check what day of the week your proposed moving day falls on, as you may need the services of companies that only operate Monday to Friday. When booking your removal firm, don’t forget to tell them about any items that need special care.
• Be prepared at least one week in advance – don’t leave everything to the last minute! You’ll be amazed at the amount of unexpected events that take place on moving day, so make sure you get as much completed as possible in advance. Pack at least a week before, make arrangements for pets and have extra boxes ready for unexpected items.
• Don’t forget anything – it sounds obvious, but make sure you have all your essentials close to hand, such as a torch, candles, basic toolkit, bedding, a change of clothes, enough food and drink to keep you (and the removal men) going and, of course, the essential celebratory bottle!