My fiancee and I are purchasing our first property. The conveyancing practitioner has contact usto see if we want to purchase supplemental conveyancing searches. Unfortunately we are clueless as to what's needed for conveyancing in Castleford

The range of Castleford conveyancing searches should be triggered based entirely on the property, the location, the probability of any of these risks, your familiarity of the locality and risks, your overall attitude to risk. What is important is that you adequately appreciate what information each search could supply. You may then decide if you consider that you need that information. Should you be unclear, ask your conveyancing practitioner to guide you.

I understand that there are debates on Chancel Insurance on online forums. Do I need this when buying a property in Castleford? or I am told that there is a law dating back centuries that could mean that house owners living in a parish church boundary will be compelled to contribute towards repairs towards the chancel in proximity to the church. Is this applicable for conveyancing in Castleford?

Unless a previous acquisition of the house completed post 12 October 2013 you may take it that solicitors delivering conveyancing in Castleford to continue to propose a a chancel search and or insurance against a claim.

How does conveyancing in Castleford differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build residence in Castleford come to us having been asked by the housebuilder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is finished. This is because house builders in Castleford typically buy the land, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in Castleford or who has acted in the same development.

I have been on the look out for a flat up to £235,500 and identified one near me in Castleford I like with a park and transport links in the vicinity, the downside is that it's only got 49 remaining years left on the lease. There is not much else in Castleford suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error buying a lease with such few years left?

If you need a mortgage the shortness of the lease may be problematic. Discount the price by the amount the lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing proprietor has owned the premises for at least 2 years you may ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the current lease and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer about this matter.

Is it best to choose a Castleford conveyancing solicitor based in the area that I am purchasing? I have an old university friend who can perform the legal work but his firm is located a couple of hundredmiles drive away.

The primary upside of using a high street Castleford conveyancing practice is that you can drop in to sign documents, hand in your ID and apply pressure on them if necessary. Having local Castleford know how is a plus. That being said it's more important to get someone that will pull out all the stops for you. If other friends have used your friend and the majority were impressed that must surpass using an unfamiliar Castleford conveyancing solicitor solely due to them being round the corner.