Top 7 best tips on finding a notary

Tip 1. Look for a Specialist Notary

Look for notaries who specialize in the type of service you need. Notaries often have a specific area such as family law, business law, or in this case, real estate. Choose a notary who is experienced in the type of service you need.

Tip 2. Compare Notary Fees

Ask about the notary's fees and compare them with those of other notaries to see if you are getting a good price. Notaries are required to publish their fees on their website or request them from their office. Compare the rates and ask about any additional costs, such as court fees, VAT and whether registration in the Land Registry is included. Check our comprehensive notary costs guide to understand typical fee ranges.

Tip 3. Research Notaries' Ratings and Reviews

Look for ratings and reviews from other people who have used the notary to see what their experiences were. For this, you can, for example, look at Google Reviews or social media. Note that some reviews may be fake or dishonest, so look at a large number of reviews to get a good idea.

Tip 4. Ask for References from a Notary

Ask for references from the notary and contact these people to hear what their experiences were. A good notary will be happy to give you some references of people he or she has helped before. Contact these people and ask about their experiences with the notary.

Tip 5. Make a Telephone Appointment First and See if the Notary Suits You

Make an appointment with the notary to discuss what you need and to see if the notary is the right person for you. A good notary will be happy to take the time to answer your questions and help you make the right choice. Make an appointment and bring all relevant information and documents with you so that the notary can help you properly.

Tip 6. How Will the Notary Handle Your Privacy?

Ask about the security measures the notary takes to protect the confidentiality of your information. This is important because you are giving confidential information to the notary, such as personal details and financial information.

Tip 7. Find a Notary via HuisAssist

The last on the list of tips for finding a notary is to look for your notary mainly through HuisAssist. We provide you with a list of the three most suitable notaries for you for free. Moreover, you are always cheaper via HuisAssist than when you contact the notary directly. So there is no need for notaries in your area for free.

You Have Chosen a Notary, What Now?

If you have chosen a notary to help you buy a house, the notary can perform several tasks to ensure that the buying process goes smoothly and that your interests are protected. Here are some of the things a notary can do for you in a house:

• Preparing a purchase agreement: the notary can prepare a deed of sale that contains all the important details of the transaction, such as the price of the house, payment terms, and any stipulations or restrictions.
• The notary can also ensure that the purchase agreement is legally correct and complies with all relevant laws and regulations.
• Verifying the ownership of the house: the notary can verify the title of the house to ensure that the seller is the owner and that there are no unauthorized restrictions or stipulations on the property.
• Checking the transfer of title: the notary can help to verify that the transfer of title is done correctly and that all legal requirements are met.
• Managing the transfer of funds: the notary can manage the financial aspects of the house purchase, such as transferring the purchase price and ensuring that all financial obligations are met.
• Handling the transfer of ownership: once the payments are finalized and the legal documents are prepared, including the mortgage deed if applicable, the notary will handle the transfer of ownership by signing the transfer documents. This is when you officially become the owner of the house.