I was informed yesterday by my broker that my Greenhithe property lawyer is not on the lender Conveyancing panel. How can I check?
You need to call your Greenhithe conveyancer. It is reasonable to expect your lawyer to inform you of the situation. If they are not on the panel they could put your in touch with solicitors on the approved list of lawyers for your bank.
My fiancee and I are buying our first house. The conveyancer has calledto enquire if we wish to take out additional conveyancing searches. We are really unsure what's appropriate for conveyancing in Greenhithe
The extent of Greenhithe conveyancing searches depends entirely on the premises, the location, the probability of any of these risks, your knowledge of the region and risks, your overall attitude to risk. What matters is that you properly appreciate what information each search could provide. You may then decide if you personally think you need that information. Should you be in doubt, ask the conveyancing practitioner to advise.
I am currently in the process of buying my council flat in Greenhithe. I have a mortgage agreed with HSBC. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have one. Any advice?
It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with HSBC, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the HSBC conveyancing panel.
I've read lots of mortgage guides, I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Greenhithe solicitor - who is on the HSBC conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?
HSBC will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually HSBC 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. Your solicitor will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by your Greenhithe postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with HSBC, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Greenhithe.
Barclays have agreed my mortgage in principle, my offer on a property in Greenhithe has been accepted, what happens next?
The estate agent will need to know who your solicitors are (ensure that the property lawyers are on the lender’s approved list). Contact Barclays or the financial adviser and complete any relevant documentation. Barclays will instruct a valuer who will get in contact with the estate agent or seller to schedule a time for the valuation to occur. Once carried out (assuming no problems) it takes approximately a fortnight for the mortgage offer to be issued. Barclays will send the offer to you and your property lawyers. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Greenhithe.
Various web forums that I have visited warn that are a common cause of obstruction in Greenhithe house deals. Is this right?
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) has noted the determinations of a review by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not feature amongst the most frequent causes of hindrances in the conveyancing process. Local searches are unlikely to be the root cause of slowing down conveyancing in Greenhithe.
How does conveyancing in Greenhithe differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in Greenhithe come to us having been asked by the developer to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is constructed. This is because new home sellers in Greenhithe tend to acquire 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 used to new build conveyancing in Greenhithe or who has acted in the same development.
I am using a search engine for the phrase conveyancing in Greenhithe it reveals numerous conveyancersin the vicinity. How do I determine which is the suitable conveyancing solicitor for me?
The preferential way of choosing a suitable conveyancer is through a trusted testimonial, so enquire of friends and relatives who have bought a property in Greenhithe or the respected estate agent or financial adviser. Charges for conveyancing in Greenhithe vary, so it's sensible to request at least three quotes from varying types of law firms. Make sure that you know what costs in the quote includes.