Usually if you are purchasing a property we will ask you for approximately £250 at the beginning to cover the search fees that we will have to pay out on your behalf. Sometimes a deposit has to be paid when contracts are exchanged (see “How much deposit must I pay”), and the balance of the price and the legal costs and expenses will be payable shortly before completion. If you are just selling, we ask you for £150 at the outset to cover initial expenses. The legal costs and estate agents fees will be paid out from the sale proceeds on completion before any balance is sent to you.