Just contacted my conveyancing solicitor in Dursley who conducted the legals 18 months ago requesting a conveyancing quote based on an identical type of house sale & purchase (a leasehold property and a freehold property) of similar values with a mortgage from Barclays Direct. It looks as though am now being quoted double. Stick with what I know or should I try and find an alternative property lawyer?

The estimate does seem a tad steep. Where you are prepared to spend time contrasting costs you could get the conveyancing a bit cheaper by say a hundred pounds. That being said, if you were happy with the service the firm gave you mightlive to regret choosing an an unknown conveyancer. If is important to enquire that the firm can represent Barclays Direct. Do use our search tool to choose a Dursley conveyancing firm on the Barclays Direct approved list of lawyers, which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Dursley.

How does conveyancing in Dursley differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Dursley approach us having been asked by the seller to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is built. This is because house builders in Dursley typically buy 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 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Dursley or who has acted in the same development.

Am I right to be concerned about third parties that I am dealing with are encouraging me to use an internet conveyancing firm as opposed to a local Dursley conveyancing company?

As is the case with many professional services, often referrals from family and friends can be worth their weight in gold. Yet there are lots of parties with a vested interest in a conveyancing transaction; estate agents, financial adviser and mortgage companies might all recommend lawyers to retain. On occasion the solicitors might be known to one of the organisations as one of the best in their field, but occasionally there may be a commercial relationship behind the endorsement. You are free to choose your own lawyer. You need to be aware that some mortgage providers specify a panel list of solicitors you have to use for the lender aspect of your conveyancing.

Are there common deficiencies that you come across in leases for Dursley properties?

There is nothing unique about leasehold conveyancing in Dursley. All leases are unique and legal mistakes in the legal wording can result in certain sections are erroneous. The following missing provisions could result in a defective lease:

Service charge per centages that don't add up correctly leaving a shortfall

A defective lease will likely cause issues when trying to sell a property as they can affect a potential buyer’s ability to obtain a mortgage. Birmingham Midshires, Bank of Scotland, and Platform Home Loans Ltd all have express requirements when it comes to what is expected in a lease. Where a lender has been advised by their lawyers that the lease is problematic they may refuse to provide security, forcing the buyer to withdraw.

Dursley Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Questions you should consider Prior to Purchasing

Best to be warned if changing the roof or some other major work is coming up to be shared between the tenants and will materially impact the level of the maintenance fees or necessitate a specific payment. It would be wise to find out as much as possible concerning the managing agents as they will either make your living at the property much simpler or problematic. Being a leasehold owner you are frequently at the mercy of the managing agents both financially and when it comes to practical issues like the tidiness of the common parts. Enquire of other tenants if they are happy with them. On a final note, be sure you discover the dates that the maintenance fees are due to the relevant party and specifically what you get for your money. If a Dursley lease has fewer than eighty years it will have adverse implications on the marketability of the flat. Check with your lender that they are content with remaining years on the lease. A short lease means that you will most likely need a lease extension sooner rather than later and it is worth discovering how much this would cost. For most Dursleylease extensions you will be required to have owned the property for 24 months in order to be eligible to extend the lease.

My boyfriend is buying a studio flat in Dursley. He has received a fee estimate by the lawyer recommended by the selling agents totaling £1385 . It was 7 years ago since I sold and purchased a home and the fee was £495. Have fees really increased to that extent?

You should visit two or three local Dursley conveyancing firms requesting estimates. You should base your choice not just on cost, but on promptness and on how comprehensive the reply was.