01 Dec Why do you need a good conveyancer?
When it comes to one of the largest purchases you’ll make in your lifetime, you’ll want to be assured that you’ve got the right legal help and guidance to ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible.
Here are our top tips to help you on your way.
How to find a good conveyancer
Reputation and specialism matter, when it comes to choosing a conveyancing solicitor to help you buy or sell a property. Does your solicitor have experience handling property in your area? This is important for Welwyn Garden City (and Letchworth Garden City residents). Your solicitor should be able to advise you about the guidelines set by the Welwyn Garden City Estate Management Scheme or the Letchworth Heritage Foundation and whether they are relevant to you.
Check that your conveyancer operates to the highest standards, ask if they are members of the Law Society and hold the Lexcel and Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditations.
When to instruct a conveyancing solicitor
The moment your offer on a home is accepted it’s time to call your conveyancing solicitor and instruct them to help. We will assist you to complete the purchase of your new home – communicating with the seller on your behalf, completing paperwork and registering you as the new property owner. You’ll also need to give us a call when you accept an offer on your old property. We will help make sure the sale goes through.
How much are solicitor conveyancing fees?
We will provide you with a quotation when you give us the details of the property you are buying or selling. You can call us to get your quote or simply use our instant conveyancing calculator. A conveyancing fee should be clear and transparent. It should include any disbursements the conveyancer pays on your behalf to a third party such as searches, electronic ID checks, the cost of transferring funds, the land registry fee, the Stamp Duty Land Tax liability and any other necessary investigations.
Also, if you are comparing costs, please be careful with so called ‘bargain’ prices. We’re increasingly contracted by client’s who have been hurt by promises of the ‘cheapest conveyancing’ deals found online. Often these low-cost conveyancing fees contain hidden or add-on costs that aren’t clear at the outset. Or there just isn’t the legal expertise to deal with any complexities that can, and often do, arise. We have been instructed on many occasions to resolve situations that have been outside the scope and expertise of such companies. Why cut corners, for such an important lifetime purchase?
How long does conveyancing take?
This will depend on your situation; each one is unique. If you’re in a property chain with several other buyers and sellers, you’re all dependent on one another. One loose link and it can have a knock-on effect. Allow a minimum of eight to twelve weeks for the surveys to be completed, documents to be checked, finances confirmed and for any hiccups to be ironed out.
Open communication in a chain will help things to move more quickly. We ask clients to keep us informed about key dates that may impact completion, for example, rental notice periods, holidays or personal circumstances.
For more information
The cost of conveyancing – reputation and specialism matter
What is the legal process for selling a house?
What is the legal process for buying a house?
For legal advice
- Email info@hrjforemanlaws.co.uk
- Call Hitchin, 01462 457711, Welwyn Garden City, 01707 887700, Old Harlow 01279 709 100.
- Complete our contact form here