A qualified professional will guide you through the process, whether this is a solicitor, legal executive or a licensed conveyancer. All of our team have a wealth of experience in this area, including transfer of title or equitable interests, freehold or leasehold, and property disputes.
Five things you need to know about conveyancing
If you have a plan to purchase or sell a property, it is essential to understand the conveyancing term and its process. Conveyancing is a legal process that involves the transfer of ownership of a property/land from the seller to the buyer. This includes all the administrative work involved in transferring the ownership, including searches on the property.
Whether you're buying, selling, or remortgaging, our conveyancing solicitors specialise in all housing and property matters. We are proud to offer you an advanced conveyancing tool to present clear and competitive pricing.
If you are buying a house or selling a house, your conveyancer will also be in touch with the other parties seller’s conveyancer to manage the steps from offer acceptance, contract negotiations and exchange of contracts through to completion.
In this guide, we are discussing the five key things you need to know about conveyancing to ensure a smooth process.
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Understanding the conveyancing process
Understanding the conveyancing process is essential whether you are a first-time buyer or an experienced investor. There are three stages of the conveyancing process: pre-contract, exchange of contracts and completion stage. In the first stage, also known as the research stage, the buyer’s conveyancer or solicitor conducts proper research, owns an independent survey, and collects essential documents like evidence of funds and official enquiries about the property. The second stage involves the contract exchange, which legally binds both the buyer and seller to the property transaction and the final stage is completion, where the ownership of property officially transfers and keys are exchanged.
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Choosing a Conveyancing Solicitor
Choosing a conveyancing solicitor is a critical step in the conveyancing process, as your conveyancing solicitor will handle all the legal aspects of the property translation and will protect your interest. Consider factors like reputation, client testimonials, expertise, experience and cost. By considering these factors and conducting thorough research, you can choose an expert conveyancing lawyer.
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Legal and regulatory aspects of the conveyancing process
The conveyancing process involved a lot of legal obligations like paying stamp duty and complying with all regulations. An expert legal adviser will handle all legal aspects like preparing contracts, transferring legal title, completing land registry forms, paying stamp duty and the process of transferring. All steps in the conveyancing process must comply with updated laws and regulations
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Arrangement of Finances
Conveyancing also involves arranging financing; there are numerous options like securing a mortgage and conveyancing lawyers can also recommend mortgage brokers and other resources for arranging finance. It is also recommended to review your credit report, as your credit score plays a crucial role in obtaining a favourable mortgage rate.
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Common mistakes to avoid during the conveyancing process
In order to ensure that the conveyancing process goes smoothly, these are common mistakes that you need to avoid for any delays or misunderstandings. Some common errors include not having enough funds as it is recommended that your funds must be ready before starting the conveyancing process; when the funds are not ready, it often results in the delay of the whole process. Also, not responding to questions or enquiries appropriately or promptly also results in delays as communication breaks between both seller and buyer parties, so staying responsive is crucial to make the process steady. In addition, failing to disclose any vital information, such as any internal issues or dispute issues, must be disclosed to ensure that you are following a transparent process. In case of any disputes or concerns, you can contact a housing disputes solicitors who can provide valuable guidance to help resolve any issues.
Buying or selling a home is a major life event, but it can also be a very exciting one. By understanding the conveyancing process and choosing a reputable property solicitor, you can help to ensure that your transaction goes smoothly.
FAQs
How much will it cost?
The cost of a conveyancing service will vary depending on the value of the property and how much legal work is required. The legal fee for conveyancing on an average property is £500-600 with an extra £200 where the property is leasehold. We offer a Free Initial Assessment and will give you an exact quote to help you decide if our service is right for you, with no obligation to proceed.
At what stage do I need to appoint a conveyancer?
If you are looking to buy, sell, or re-mortgage your property, you will need a qualified conveyancer to help you through the legal processes. Instructing a conveyancer about the intended sale or purchase of a property early can help to speed up the entire process, this is particularly true of leasehold properties.
What searches need to take place?
Your conveyancer will carry out the property searches on your behalf, such as local authority, water authority and environmental checks. Some additional miscellaneous checks may be needed, such as broader area searches. The purpose of searches is to identify things that may be out of the ordinary or required before you purchase the property, such as structural issues, problems with damp, or unusual property restrictions. Should any issues be found, your conveyancer will advise on the best actions to take.
At this stage, your mortgage lender, if you’re using one, will also carry out a property survey to ensure the property is worth the amount you’re paying for it. Searches and surveys are always carried out before the ‘exchange of contracts to give you an indication of whether your conveyancer will need to manage any property-related legal problems.