I plan on buying a leasehold flat in Alnwick. My Solicitor has never been on on the lender conveyancing panel. Can I still use my Alnwick conveyancing solicitor even though they are excluded from the mortgage company panel?

Your options include

• Complete the purchase with your existing Alnwick solicitor but your lender will need to appoint a property lawyer from their conveyancing panel. The net result is additional cost together with probable delay.
• Get a new solicitor to act in the purchase, obviously checking they are on the bank conveyancing panel.
• Convince your conveyancer to attempt to join the mortgage company panel

Due to move into my new home in Alnwick next Friday. I have now been asked to send a copy of my building insurance schedule by my solicitor as he says that he has to check this in his capacity as lawyer for the bank. What does the insurance need to cover?

All property lawyers on acting for mortgage companies would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in a lender’s UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook instructions. These obligations are not specific to conveyancing in Alnwick.

How does conveyancing in Alnwick differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build property in Alnwick come to us having been asked by the housebuilder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is finished. This is because house builders in Alnwick 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 Alnwick or who has acted in the same development.

Am I better off to use a Alnwick conveyancing lawyer based in the location that I am hoping to buy? We have a good friend who can perform the legal work but her office is over three hundred miles drive away.

The primary upside of using a local Alnwick conveyancing firm is that you can visit the firm to execute paperwork, present your ID and apply pressure on them if necessary. They will also have local knowledge which is a plus. However nothing is more important than finding someone that will do a good and efficient job. If other friends have instructed your friend and in the main were content that should surpass using an unknown Alnwick conveyancing solicitor solely due to them being round the corner.

What type of property do your Alnwick conveyancing quotes apply to?

The quotes supplied are only relevant to standard domestic property in England & Wales. Where you have any different needs for example industrial or agricultural land or commercial conveyancing in Alnwick do telephone us to consider your requirements .