I am acquiring a property for cash in Duffield. I have resided for the previous dozen years in Duffield. Conveyancing searches are expensive. Given that I have knowledge of the road and vicinity very well must I have all the conveyancing searches?

Provided that you do not need a mortgage, then the vast majority of the Duffield conveyancing searches are non-obligatory. Your lawyer will 'advise', perhaps strongly, that you should have searches completed, but she has a professional duty to take that path of advice. Do consider; if you are going to dispose of the house one day, it may be of relevance to your prospective purchaser what the searches contain. Sometimes properties with day to day issues can still show up unfavourable search results. A competent conveyancing solicitor in Duffield should provide you some helpful guidance in this regard.

My brother-in-law has suggested I instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Duffield. I need to find out whether they are on the Platform Home Loans Ltd approved list of lawyers. Can you or the lender confirm if they are on the panel?

The first thing to do is e-mail your solicitor and ask them if they are on the lender panel. Otherwise you should call Platform Home Loans Ltd who may be able to assist.

I am close to exchanging contracts on the sale of our house in Duffield and the buyers lawyers are claiming that there is a possibility that the property was built land that was not decontaminated. Any high street Duffield conveyancer would know this is not the case. For the life of me I don't know why the purchasers instructed an internet conveyancing firm rather than a conveyancing solicitor in Duffield. Having lived in Duffield for 4 years we know that this is a non issue. Do we contact our local Authority to get clarification that the buyers are looking for.

It would appear that you have a conveyancing firm already. Are they able to advise? You should check with your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out health insurance to cover that same sickness)

I need to instruct a conveyancing solicitor for leasehold conveyancing in Duffield. I happened to chance upon a site which looks to be the perfect solution If there is a chance to get all this stuff completed via email that would be ideal. Do I need to be concerned? What are the potential pitfalls?

As usual with these online conveyancers you need to read ALL the small print - did you notice the extra charge for dealing with the mortgage?

I am considering instructing a web based conveyancing practitioner as opposed to a Duffield conveyancing practice. Should I ‘stay local’?

Various benefits exist in being able to visit a local Duffield conveyancing solicitor for example

• signing papers same day
• having face-to-face explanations of issues that need explaining
• the ability to raise concerns if things go pear-shaped

When analysing fees, look out for hidden extras. The majority decent Duffield high street solicitors give an all-inclusive price. Many online agents appear to offer cheap prices, but have burried 'extras' in the in the terms and conditions.