I am searching for value for money property lawyer. Should I go for for a web based conveyancer rather than a family Watton conveyancing solicitor?

Existing third party relationships is an important consideration when choosing conveyancing lawyers. Watton conveyancers benefit from connections with mortgage brokers and selling, local authorities, surveyors and other conveyancing firms meaning the whole process is going to be much smoother for you. Possessing vast intelligence of the local area is an advantage.

We are about to exchange contracts for a freehold house in Watton. We have hit a snag. The loan offer with Bank of Scotland expires on 17/3/2026 but the owners are putting forward a completion date of 19/3/2026. Is it possible to prolong the mortgage expiry date?

The person best placed to address this question is your solicitors who is in a position to assess if he or she is corresponding with the mortgage company, owner’s solicitors, selling agents or indeed all three given the history of your transaction as of today.

I am considering applying for a Coventry BS mortgage for purchase of a newly converted (under development) in Watton with 70% loan to value. Is it compulsory to choose a solicitor on the conveyancing panel for Coventry BS ?

There is nothing to stop you using your solicitor, but Coventry BS will insist on their interests being represented by a firm on their conveyancing panel. There is much more potential for delays and confusion with two solicitors involved, and it will undoubtedly be more expensive too.

I have been on the look out for a leasehold apartment up to £235,500 and identified one near me in Watton I like with a park and transport links nearby, however it only has 49 years on the lease. There is not much else in Watton for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error buying a short lease?

If you require a home loan the shortness of the lease will likely be a potential deal breaker. Reduce the price by the amount the lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current proprietor has owned the premises for at least 2 years you may ask them to start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the current lease and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor about this.

My husband and I are disposing of a Watton apartment we inherited ten years ago in 2011. I have over a decades worth of conveyancing know-how and, now retired, see no reason not to undertake the conveyancing. The buyer's solicitor has informed me that their mortgage company will not allow us to do our own conveyancing insisting the funds to be passed via a solicitor's bank account.

Lending instructions to lawyers from all CML members state that If the seller does not have legal representation the purchaser’s lawyers should check whether the lender needs to be told so that a decision can be made as to whether or not they are prepared to progress.