We are buying a 3 bedroom apartment in Comberton with a mortgage. We like our Comberton solicitor, but the mortgage company advise he's not on their "panel". It appears that we have little option but to appoint one of the bank panel conveyancing practices or continue with our Comberton conveyancer and pay for one of their panel lawyers to represent them. This seems very unfair; is there anything we can do?

Unfortunately,no. Your mortgage offer is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the bank’s conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. Another option that might be available is for your Comberton conveyancing solicitor to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.

When will exchange of contracts take place for residential conveyancing in Comberton and do I need to be at the solicitors office?

If you are local to one of the conveyancing solicitors in Comberton you are welcome to come in to sign the paperwork. That being said, the lender approved solicitors we recommend provide a nationwide conveyancing service and give as equally diligent and professional a job for you when dealing with you electronically. The signing of the contract is not the important part. Signing on the dotted line simply enables the solicitor to officially exchange when the time is right, which is ordinarily shortly after signing. The procedure is is usually a five minute process, although where a lengthy "chain" is in play, since the process requires the relevant party's solicitor (not necessarily a conveyancing solicitor in Comberton)to be in the office at the appropriate time.

Is it necessary to take out insurance to protect me from financial exposure to chancel repairs when buying a house in Comberton?

Unless a prior purchase of the premises completed post 12 October 2013 you may take it that conveyancing practitioners carrying out conveyancing in Comberton to remain encouraging a chancel search and or insurance against a claim.

I am buying a new build house in Comberton with the aid of help to buy. The builders would not reduce the price so I negotiated 6k of extras instead. The estate agent suggested that I not inform my solicitor about this side-deal as it may adversely affect my mortgage with the bank. Is this normal?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

I decided to have a survey carried out on a house in Comberton in advance of instructing solicitors. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold element to the house. Our surveyor has said that some banks may not issue a mortgage on a flying freehold home.

It depends who your proposed lender is. Bank of Scotland has different requirements from Halifax. Should you wish to call us we can look into this further via the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Comberton. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.