After looking at mumsnet.com for a recommended solicitor in Alfriston, most post that I must instruct a CQS kitemarked lawyer. Can you explain what CQS is?
The Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme is the recognised quality mark for legal experts in home ownership transfers, trusted by some of the UK's major mortgage companies. In 2011-12 the Conveyancing Quality Scheme was officially recognised by the Building Societies Association (BSA). CQS is not a scheme offered by the Council of Licensed Conveyancing. Alfriston is one of the many areas in England and Wales where there are CQS solicitors.
A friend recommended that if I am buying in Alfriston I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. Can you explain what the purpose of this search is?
A search of this type is usually quoted for as part of the standard Alfriston conveyancing searches. It is a large document of more than thirty pages, listing and detailing important information about Alfriston around the property and the people living there. It incorporates an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the local Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime statistics, Alfriston Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data concerning Alfriston.
I'm purchasing a new build house in Alfriston benefiting from help to buy. The developers would not budge the amount so I negotiated 6k of fixtures and fittings instead. The sale representative told me not inform my lawyer about the extras as it could impact my mortgage with The Royal Bank of Scotland. Is this normal?.
All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.
Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.
Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.
Do I need to be suspicious about third parties that I am dealing with are recommending a national conveyancing firm rather than a High Street Alfriston conveyancing firm?
As with many professional services, often referrals from connections can be extremely useful or valuable. But there are many people with a keen interest in a conveyancing deal; estate agents, mortgage brokers and lenders might all recommend solicitors to retain. Sometimes these conveyancers might be known to one of the organisations as being good in their field, but sometimes there might be a financial incentive behind the recommendation. You have the right to choose your preferred conveyancer. Don't forget that some banks have an approved list of lawyers you have to use for the lender aspect of your transaction.
I am using a search engine for the term cheap conveyancing in Alfriston it reveals numerous property lawyersin the vicinity. How do I determine which is the suitable conveyancing solicitor for me?
The best method of choosing the right conveyancer is through a trusted testimonial, so enquire of colleagues and family who have bought a property in Alfriston or the respected estate agent or mortgage broker. Costs for conveyancing in Alfriston differ, so it's advisable to secure at least four quotes from varying types of companies. Dont forget to clarify what costs in the quote includes.