My partner and I are buying our first property. Our conveyancing practitioner has texted usto ask if we wish to take out extra conveyancing searches. As novices we are clueless as to what's recommended for conveyancing in Willesden
The quantity and type of Willesden conveyancing searches depends entirely on the property, the location, the possibility of any of these risks, your knowledge of the locality and risks, your overall appetite to risk. What is important is that you properly comprehend what information the searches could give you. Then you can decide if you personally think you need that search. Should you be unclear, ask the lawyer to guide you.
I am thinking of remortgaging my house in Willesden, does my lawyer need to be on the UBS Solicitor panel?
In theory, you could use a solicitor that is not on the UBS conveyancing panel, but UBS would require one of their panel solicitors to be instructed to act in their interests, and you'd have to pay for this - so most people instruct a panel solicitor. It's also easier, as otherwise you'd have to deal with two solicitors for the same conveyancing matter.
Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly picked up during conveyancing in Willesden?
Covenants that are restrictive in nature can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the legal transfer of property in Willesden. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’
How does conveyancing in Willesden differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build premises in Willesden approach us having been asked by the builder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is constructed. This is because builders in Willesden tend to acquire the real estate, 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 property lawyers 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 Willesden or who has acted in the same development.
I opted to have a survey completed on a house in Willesden before appointing lawyers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold aspect to the property. My surveyor has said that some mortgage companies may not give a mortgage on such a house.
It varies from the lender to lender. HSBC has different requirements from Halifax. Should you wish to call us we can check via the appropriate lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Willesden. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
We're first time buyers - agreed a price, but the estate agent has warned us that the owners will only go ahead if we instruct the agent's chosen solicitors as they want an ‘expedited deal’. Our preferred option is to instruct a high street solicitor with experience of conveyancing in Willesden
It is improbable the owners are driving this. If they require ‘a quick sale', alienating a serious purchaser is likely to cause more damage than good. Bypass the agents and go straight to the owners and make the point that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are excited to move forward, with finances in place © you are chain free (d) you wish to move quickly (e)but you intend to appoint your own,trusted Willesden conveyancing lawyers - not the ones that will provide the estate agent a commission or meet his conveyancing thresholds set by corporate headquarters.