Buying through Hunters
Properties for Sale in Barnet & Whetstone
Whether you found Hunters through a property portal, noticed one of our ‘For Sale’ or ‘To Let’ boards, or visited our Barnet or Whetstone High Street offices, we’re here to help you find the perfect house or flat.
When you arrange a property viewing in Barnet or Whetstone with Hunters, an experienced member of our team will accompany you. This ensures we fully understand your property needs by listening to your feedback and providing expert guidance throughout the buying or letting process.
Hunters is your trusted local estate agent for houses and flats for sale or to let in Barnet, Whetstone, and the surrounding areas.
Buying or Letting Through Hunters Estate Agents in Barnet & Whetstone
However you found Hunters — whether via one of the many property portals we’re partnered with, by spotting a ‘For Sale’ or ‘To Let’ board at a client’s property, visiting our High Street offices featuring houses and flats for sale or to let in Barnet & Whetstone when you contact us, we recommend that your viewing is accompanied by an experienced member of our team.
Since 1991, Hunters has built a strong reputation for successfully selling and renting properties in Barnet and Whetstone. Our extensive local knowledge and experience make us one of the most trusted, successful and recognised estate agents in the area.
Buying a property is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in life. Everyone has individual priorities when it comes to their ideal home and its location, which makes the search a unique journey, sometimes short, sometimes longer. To help you feel confident in your purchase, we strongly recommend physically viewing properties with one of our knowledgeable staff members who can listen to your feedback and answer any questions on the spot.
We take your enquiry seriously and are happy to dedicate time understanding your needs. If you’re considering moving to Barnet, we can also show you around the local area during your property viewings, highlighting nearby schools, transport links, shopping, leisure facilities, and restaurants.
Once you’ve found your perfect home, there are further important decisions to make, such as choosing a solicitor and arranging mortgage finance. Thanks to our long standing presence in the property market, we have strong relationships with trusted solicitors, mortgage brokers, and other property professionals whom we are pleased to recommend.
At Hunters, we understand that buying your home is likely the most significant and expensive transaction you’ll ever make.
Our extensive database features a wide range of available properties, and with our local expertise, we’re confident we can help you find the right home, whether it’s a straightforward move or a ‘Buy to Let’ investment.
Please click on our Property Search to browse current listings, complete with photos, EPC certificates, and floor plans.
To help you navigate the complexities of buying a home, we’ve also provided an overview of the key steps involved below:
Quick Guide to Buying a Property with Hunters Estate Agents
REGISTRATION
Start by registering your details and property preferences via email, phone, or in person. This helps us tailor property updates to your needs.
VIEWING
Our team will arrange and, whenever possible, accompany you on property viewings to better understand your requirements. Call us to book a time that suits you.
MORTGAGE
It’s recommended to get a mortgage agreement in principle early to clarify your budget and strengthen your offer. We can connect you with trusted independent mortgage advisors.
Making an Offer
When you find the right property, we submit your offer to the vendor. Remember, offers are ‘subject to contract’ until legally binding agreements are signed.
Solicitors & Surveys
Once your offer is accepted, instruct a solicitor to handle legal matters and proceed with your mortgage application. Surveys are carried out to assess property condition and value.
Searches & Contracts
Your solicitor will conduct necessary searches and review the draft contract before finalising terms.
Exchange & Completion
After contracts are signed and a deposit paid, a completion date is set. On completion, the remaining funds are transferred, and you receive the keys to your new home.
SURVEY
The next step is to obtain the mortgage valuation, as required by law. This will be conducted by a chartered surveyor acting for your lender. The report is to provide a valuation to determine whether the amount to be loaned is secure and also deals with the basic condition of the property. Since you as the buyer are also provided with a copy, it allows both parties to evaluate the findings prior to entering into a commitment to purchase. NB: You may wish to consider a more in-depth survey for peace of mind.
There are two types of survey available:
1. HOMEBUYER SURVEY/VALUATION
This is the mid-range option as it is more expensive than the mortgage valuation but less than the building survey (see below).
It is a basic service and therefore more appropriate to properties in apparently good condition and conventionally constructed. The survey’s purpose is to highlight any pressing or significant defects and problems which are likely to have an overall impact on the value of the property.
The objective of the homebuyer survey is to provide a more in-depth report which will assist the buyer in making an informed decision whether to proceed with the purchase and also whether the agreed price reflects the actual value. Moreover, the professional opinion of the surveyor as contained in his report will also set out particular features of the property which may possibly have an effect on the present value and potential future marketability.
2. BUILDING SURVEY
Unlike the homebuyer survey, this is suitable for all types of property whether conventional or unconventional. The term ‘unconventional’ encompasses properties that have an unusual construction, are historic or listed buildings, have been extensively altered or where major work is planned.
The building survey is comprehensive and lists full technical details of the construction, materials and condition. It highlights the full spectrum of defects from the more serious down to the insignificant and the terms of the survey are therefore tailored to fit the client’s specific needs.
However, it should be noted that this does not include a valuation and is only conducted by prior agreement.
SEARCHES
These are conducted by the buyer’s solicitor who submits a local authority search to the local borough council. Its purpose is to ascertain if there is any planning consent previously granted on the property or if there are any other local issues which may have an impact on the purchase. In some instances, the search may also include an environmental and drainage search.
DRAFT CONTRACTS
The draft contract is drawn up by the seller’s solicitor and is forwarded to the buyer’s solicitor for consideration. Any additional queries or questions will be asked and answered and the contract amended accordingly, subject to final approval.
DRAFT CONTRACTS
The draft contract is drawn up by the seller’s solicitor and is forwarded to the buyer’s solicitor for consideration. Any additional queries or questions will be asked and answered and the contract amended accordingly, subject to final approval.
EXCHANGE OF CONTRACTS
Once the contract has been signed by both parties, a deposit is paid by either bank transfer or banker’s draft. At this stage, the parties agree on a date for completion.
COMPLETION
Completion usually follows a few days or weeks after exchange of contracts. The balance of the purchase price is transferred by the buyer’s solicitor to the seller’s solicitor, after which the keys are released.