The property market in Crediton is hotting up. What can be done to quicken up the conveyancing process?

Where you are under time constraints to complete we would recommend that your conveyancer is familiar with the area as they will benefit local contacts and knowledge. It is even conceivable that they could have transacted otherhomes in the same street. You would be best advised to use a Crediton conveyancing lawyer. In addition, check that the conveyancing firm is on the member panel. It is claimed that 18% of Crediton conveyancing transactions are delayed or derailed after discovering a buyer’s conveyancer was not on their mortgage lender’s list of approved solicitors. In many cases this discovery resulted in the conveyancing being held up by an average of three weeks. It is said that this issue impacts approximately one hundred thousand home sales every year. Many Crediton conveyancing practices can not act for certain banks so do check at the outset.

Is there a reason why leasehold purchase conveyancing in Crediton is more expensive?

Crediton leasehold properties involve far more paperwork than a freehold purchase, and therefore takes more time to examine and advise upon.Conveyancing will involve the lease having to be checked which is usually a lengthy document, queries raised to ensure that the covenants and conditions have been observed. If it is a flat there will be a management company in existence and the accounts of this will need to be checked and enquiries raised to ensure it is operating efficiently and that all monies due have been paid by the Seller to the company and if not ensuring that money is paid up to date or the appropriate undertakings obtained.

My wife and I have organised the release of further monies on our home loan from Santander as we intend to conduct improvements to our home in Crediton. Do we need to select a local Crediton solicitor on the Santander conveyancing panel to deal with the paperwork?

Santander would not normally appoint firms on their conveyancing panel to handle such a matter. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the Santander list.

It is unclear whether my lender requires a lease extension. I have called my Crediton bank branch on a couple of occasions and was informed it wasn't a problem and they would lend. My Crediton conveyancing solicitor - who is on the bank conveyancing panel- telephoned to say that they will not lend in accordance with their specific requirements. Who do I believe?

Your conveyancing practitioner has to comply with the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook section two provisions for your bank. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that the bank will go ahead, your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask the bank to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years remaining.

I've digested plenty of house buying guides, I note that they all recommend that you should get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Crediton solicitor - who is on the Santander conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?

Santander will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Santander will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. You may wish to consider appointing your own Crediton surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.

Just had an offer accepted on a new build apartment in Crediton. Conveyancing is daunting at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build conveyancing.

Set out below is a sample of a few leasehold new build questions that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Crediton

Please confirm the Lease plans are surveyor prepared. Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier? The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided. The Landlord must covenant to assume the management if the Management Company goes into liquidation or otherwise defaults in running the management scheme. Has the Lease plan been approved by the Land Registry and if not when will they be lodged for this purpose?

My father-in-law has urged me to use his conveyancers in Crediton. Should I use them?

There are no two ways about it the best way to choose a conveyancing practitioner is to have referrals from friends or family who have actually previously instructed the firm that you are are thinking of instructing.