FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Selecting a development, house type and plot.
• Your choices and specifications.
• What is a pre-handover meeting?
• What is involved at the final handover stage?

• How do I reserve a plot?
• Can I reserve a plot before it is released for sale?
• Is there an additional reservation list available in case of cancellations?
• Do I need to make an appointment to visit a member of the sales team?
• When do I officially own my new home?
• Do we need to make an appointment to visit a show home?
• Can I visit my new home during its construction?

• How do I find a solicitor?
• Is there an easy way to contact all the organizations which need to know my change of address?
• Where can I get advice on a mortgage?
• What are 'Common Areas' within my development?
• What is Stamp Duty?
• What is a valuation survey?

PURCHASING A SPRINGFIELD HOME

• To view our current developments you can visit the development section of our website.
  
  To view our various house types then please feel free to visit our house design section which will show you illustrations, floor plan layouts and accommodation measurements for each of our unique house designs.
  
  Once you have made a decision on which development and house type you would like, the next stage is to decide which specific plot you would like. A comprehensive and detailed site plan can be found in our developments section on our website.
  Alternatively, you can call our Elgin office and request a sales pack to be posted to you which will contain all of the above mentioned information.
  
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• Your choices and specifications - Springfields vision is 'your home…your choice…' therefore we aim to finish your home to your individual choice and specification. Standard specifications in your new home include:
  

• TV & BT points to all public rooms and bedrooms.
• All timber frame panels constructed of 45x95 timber @ 400mm centres.
• White finishing's and panel doors throughout.
  
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• What aspects of my new home do I get to choose? - We want you to feel at home in your chosen house right from the start, and so, while the basic design of the house is ours, styling decisions are yours. The style and layout of your kitchen is a choice for you to make.
  
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• What is a pre handover meeting? - The pre-handover is carried out 7 days prior to the client’s handover/settlement date. The sales team will contact you to arrange a suitable time for this to take place. You will have the opportunity to have a look around the property to identify any snagging issues. We adhere to NHBC/ Premier guidelines when deciding what snagging items are acceptable and will endeavour to rectify as many defects from the list as possible. We will go through the Handover pack with you which has details of the gas and electricity supplier, useful telephone numbers list, NHBC or Premier Guarantee guidebook & NHBC or Premier Guarantee Health & Safety Card.
  
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• What is involved at the final handover stage? - Once again, the sales team will contact you to arrange a suitable time for the handover. At the handover we ask you to go through your pre-handover list and check that all of the items identified have been actioned to your satisfaction. Once confirmation has been received from our Accounts department that the funds for the property have been received, we also require payment for any additional costs, this is usually paid by cheque on the day to a member of the sales team. Gas and electricity meter readings are then taken and the keys handed over to you for your new home.
  
  The client is then introduced to our After Sales Manager who will go into detail about the guarantees and warranty periods provided and advise you on how to ‘run in’ your new home.
  
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• How do I reserve a plot? -

  If you do not have a property to sell, a reservation fee of £250 is required. We then ask that your solicitor concludes missives within 14 days from the date of reservation upon conclusion of which, a deposit of £2,000 is required within 7 days. This reservation fee and deposit will be deducted from the price of your property at settlement.

  If you do have a property to sell, a reservation fee of £1,000 is required. You will not be required to conclude missives until you have sold your own property.
  
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• Can I reserve a plot before it is released for sale? -  We may accept ‘Early Bird’ reservations on plots not yet released for sale. Please contact our sales team if you would like to discuss this further.
  
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• Is there an additional reservation list available in case of cancellations? -  Cancellations do occur in rare circumstances and if you wish to be kept informed of any cancellations then please contact our sales team.
  
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• Do I need to make an appointment to visit a member of the sales team? - Please call our office in Elgin or Larbert if you have any questions regarding our developments or if you would like to arrange an appointment to meet with one of sales executives.
  
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• Do we need to make an appointment to visit the show home? - No appointment is necessary to view any of our show homes or marketing suites. Our sales executives will be on hand to answer any questions so feel free to pop in for a look around. For information regarding opening times and show home locations please click here.
  
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• When do I officially own my new home? - You will officially own your new property when legal settlement occurs and your mortgage funds have been transferred and you will then meet with the sales team for your handover where you will receive the keys to your new home.
  
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• Can I visit my new home while construction is still taking place? - During the construction process Springfield will endeavour to meet any reasonable requests for access to the property. For health and safety reasons purchasers must have Springfield personnel supervision, site induction and personal protection equipment before entering onto the construction site or into the property.
  
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• How do I find a solicitor? - Most of our clients are usually recommended a solicitor by either family or friends, or you could refer to the list of local solicitors below. It is important to ensure your chosen conveyancing solicitor, is approved by the Law Society. You can either check this at your Town Hall or Citizen's Advice Bureau, or visit www.solicitors-online.com.
  
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• Is there an easy way to contact all the organizations which need to know my change of address? - There’s a great free tool created in association with The Royal Mail which makes it easy to make all those contacts - www.iammoving.com
  
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• Where can I get advice on a mortgage? - Mortgage advice can be sought from independent mortgage advisors, banks or building societies. Many can even offer initial mortgage advice over the phone.
  
  Regardless of your lender, your chosen financial representative is bound by law to give the best advice for your needs. They must operate within the terms of the Financial Services Act (FSA) whether independent or tied. Further information and advice can be found at www.fsa.gov.uk. All financial representatives are bound by law to give the best advice for your needs. They must operate within the terms of the Financial Services Act (FSA) whether independent or tied. Further information and advice can be found at www.fsa.gov.uk.
  
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• What are 'Common Areas' within my development? - These are areas within a development which can include play parks and landscaped areas. Springfield will appoint a local Managing Agent that will deal with the upkeep of these areas.
  
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• What is Stamp Duty - This is a government tax based on the purchase price of the property and is calculated as follows:
  
  Up to £125,000 – Nil
  Over £125,000 to £250,000 1% or Nil for first time buyers
  Over £250,000 to £500,000 3%
  Over £500,000 4%
  
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• What is a Valuation Survey - A valuation survey is required by all mortgage lenders.  A surveyor will carry out a valuation survey to assess whether the proposed loan is less than the value of the house. In order to carry out the valuation the surveyor will require information on the price of the property and the amount that the client is looking to borrow from the lender.
  
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