AssumingI were to buy a simple residential homein Dover mortgage fee and have no survey and no local authority searches how much should I expect to to save on my conveyancing in Dover?
Any savings you would achieve would be isolated to the disbursement for searches. A property lawyer still be obliged to do everything else - money laundering, liaising with your sellers solicitor, stamp duty return, register the ownership etc. A marginal saving might be made by not needing to register a mortgage however it won't be meaningful.
Having spent time looking at online forums for a cheap solicitor in Dover, many advise that I should use a CQS accredited solicitor. Can you explain what CQS is?
The Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme is the recognised quality mark for legal experts in the legal transfer of properties, trusted by some of the UK's major mortgage companies. Four years ago the Conveyancing Quality Scheme was officially recognised by the Legal Ombudsman. The scheme does not cover licenced conveyancers. Dover is one of the numerous areas of the UK where there are Accredited lawyers.
How does conveyancing in Dover differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build premises in Dover approach us having been asked by the housebuilder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is constructed. This is because developers in Dover typically acquire the site, 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 conveyancing solicitors 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 Dover or who has acted in the same development.
I am using a search engine for the term conveyancing in Dover it shows results of numerous property lawyersin the area. With so much choice what is the best way to find the right conveyancer for my move?
The best method of choosing the right conveyancer is via trusted testimonial, so seek the guidance of friends and family who have acquired a property in Dover or the local estate agent or financial adviser. Fees for conveyancing in Dover differ, so it's advisable to request at least three fee calculations from different property lawyers. Be sure to secure confirmation that the charges are assured not to increase.
Developers have suggested I use a conveyancer and I've received an estimate from them. They are nearly two hundred pounds cheaper than my own Dover lawyer. What's the catch?
Housebuilders normally have lists of solicitors who are quick and who know the seller’s documentation and solicitor. Plenty of developers offer an inducement to use their approved solicitor for this reason, any increased charges can be avoided and a builder will not recommend a conveyancing warehouse and run the risk of having the transaction stall when they demand an exchange inside a month. The argument for not agreeing to use the suggested conveyancer is that they may be hesitant to fight for your interests at the risk of alienating the developer. If you worry that this may be the case you should stick with your high street Dover conveyancing practitioner.