How to steer a clear course…

It's very easy to become confused by the 'gobbledegook' of the old-fashioned legal language employed in the property market - and the countless forms and searches, unexpected hitches… all can serve to confuse and distress the uninitiated purchaser. However, all is not lost… with the help of my detailed, up-to-the-minute Guide, you can steer your way through all the legalities, all the possible pitfalls and traumas - and even uncover the potential of turning your purchase into a profit.

The more you know about the legal aspects of your transaction, the better you will be able to understand the procedures and remain in control. By replacing uncertainty with knowledge, your confidence in dealing with property lawyers will grow, and the stress that usually comes with buying a property will diminish.

My Guide is laid out as a very clear step-by-step 'walk-through' of the purchase process. In layman's language, it details and explains all the primary legal aspects of conveyancing. Legal terms are explained and examples of the law in action illustrate many of the main topics. And where necessary, I've included warning notes which tell you of the potential pitfalls you may encounter.

Don't be intimidated

I will guide you through what to look for and what to look out for. Having handled and experienced many property transactions both professionally and personally over the years, I fully understand how baffling some of the terminology and processes can at first seem. It's easy to be intimidated, and to overlook something really important… because you didn't recognise that importance - or were afraid to ask.

Starting with an explanation of the contract, I show you what a typical one looks like, explain Standard Conditions and special conditions that may be written into it - and, since there are financial repercussions for reneging on a contract - warn you well upfront that Exchange of Contract is the moment when the purchase gets truly serious!

I also take a look at the complex area of leases, their advantages and disadvantages to the purchaser, explain rights granted and rights reserved, and tenant's and landlord's covenants - and pinpoint the potential short- and long-term problems inherent in leasehold purchase.

Getting it right…

Searches take up the majority of time a lawyer spends on a property transaction - with reason. Local authority, water, environmental and other checks - for example, coal mining - can throw up anything from compulsory purchase orders and nearby open cast mines to whether the property is close to a protected 'green chain corridor'. The search list is extensive and includes virtually anything and everything that could impact on the property - now, and in the foreseeable future.

You'll be happy to know that I also demystify the business of obtaining a mortgage - and my enlightening 'Insider's Tips' section in the last chapter will be particularly helpful… It's constructed to help the prospective purchaser realise the full potential of the property, with an eye to increasing its value and turning a profit from it.

If you know it, show it

Once you fully understand the legal process, you'll be far more likely to purchase the right property for your needs. Lawyers are only able to deal with the legal aspects of a purchase - they cannot advise the purchaser on whether or not a particular property would be a good buy, or even suitable for individual circumstances.

As the buyer, you need to be informed as early as possible in the decision-making process… when you are unattached, clear headed and objective about your proposed purchase. Information may be available from a number of sources, but is rarely contained in a detailed but concise manner. That's what is so good about my Guide - all the primary information a buyer needs is contained within its pages.

Those who have helped me finalise the book, by reading my draft, have said to me that they believe that its value is its simplicity. Even when the topics under discussion are complex, I have taken pains to explain them in accessible, easy-to-read language. The book is not a substitute for using a competent lawyer to handle your purchase, but it will help you pose the right questions to your legal representative, and obtain the answers you need.