If you have had your bid accepted and are dealing with the Vendor’s Estate Agent you will be asked to pay a booking deposit. This booking deposit is fully refundable if you change your mind or if the Vendor changes their mind at any time prior to the signing of the Contracts. The booking deposit will form part of the Contract deposit which is usually 10% of the purchase price.
The Vendor’s solicitor will then draft the Contracts and send them together with Title Documentation to your own solicitor who will review same, investigate the Title and advise you in relation to the property that you are purchasing. If your solicitor is satisfied that everything is in order you will then be in a position to sign Contracts and at this point the balance of the Contract deposit is paid.
If you are getting a mortgage to assist with the purchase of the property then you should have your written loan offer in place in advance of signing Contracts.