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Once you have found a property you wish to purchase, you must sign the reservation agreement. The preliminary agreement or compromesso is a binding legal document obliging both parties to complete the purchase at a future specified date in the offices of a local Notary Public. At this stage any deposit you have put down will be forfeited if you pull out of the purchase. If the vendor pulls out, they must pay you twice the sum they received as a deposit. If the transaction reaches completion, the deposit is taken as a down payment.
You should stipulate that the purchase is conditional on you obtaining a mortgage, a satisfactory survey, and that the property is free from all charges and complies with building regulations.
Completion must be formalised by a local Notary Public who draws up the sale deed, registers it with the land registry and pays all taxes and duties on your behalf. Once you receive your offer of mortgage in writing you must sign and return the papers to the lender dated the day you receive them. You will normally, then be able to complete on your purchase after a cooling-off period of around 10 days.
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