The owners of the home we are hoping to buy are using a conveyancing firm in Gatley who has recommended a exclusivity contract with a non-refundable deposit two thousand pounds. Are such agreements sensible?

This type of agreement isn't common in Gatley, conveyancers are often inclined to veer clients away from them as they detract from the primary focus, namely conveyancing and if you end up having your deposit forfeited then the lawyer at best left with an upset client and at worst a litigious one. Furthermore, there is no certainty that just because the vendor has entered into an exclusivity agreement they will complete the sale with you. They may be motivated to break the contract if they receive a big enough incentive to do so because an aggrieved party with the benefit of a exclusivitycontract will still be duty bound to establish consequential losses from the breach and these may not compare to the financial benefit that your vendor may secure by reneging on the contract, no matter how morally unworthy that may be.

As I am unsure how the conveyancing process works what is the most important number one tip you can impart about purchase conveyancing in Gatley?

Not many law firms shout this from the rooftops but conveyancing in Gatley and elsewhere in Greater Manchester is often a confrontational process. In other words, when it comes to conveyancing there exists an abundance of opportunity for conflict between you and other parties involved in the transaction. For example, the seller, selling agent and sometimes the bank. Appointing a law firm for your conveyancing in Gatley an important selection as your conveyancer is your adviser, and is the SOLE party in the transaction whose interest is to look after your legal interests and to keep you safe.

We are witnessing a worrying ongoing adversarial element to conveyancing- someone has to be at fault for the process taking so long. We recommend that you your first instinct should be to trust your lawyer ahead of all other players when it comes to the legal transfer of property.

Will our solicitor be raising enquiries regarding flooding as part of the conveyancing in Gatley.

Flooding is a growing risk for conveyancers dealing with homes in Gatley. Plenty of people will acquire a house in Gatley, fully aware that at some time, it may be flooded. However, aside from the physical destruction, if a property is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to obtain a mortgage, suitable insurance cover, or sell the premises. There are steps that can be taken during the course of a house purchase to forewarn the purchaser.

Lawyers are not best placed to offer advice on flood risk, but there are a various searches that may be initiated by the buyer or by their solicitors which will give them a better appreciation of the risks in Gatley. The standard completed inquiry forms given to a buyer’s conveyancer (where the Conveyancing Protocol is adopted) incorporates a standard inquiry of the vendor to find out if the premises has suffered from flooding. If the residence has been flooded in past which is not revealed by the owner, then a buyer may commence a compensation claim resulting from an misleading response. A buyer’s conveyancers will also order an enviro search. This will higlight whether there is a recorded flood risk. If so, additional inquiries will need to be carried out.

I am looking for a leasehold apartment up to £245,000 and found one round the corner in Gatley I like with open areas and railway links nearby, however it's only got 52 years unexpired on the lease. There is not much else in Gatley suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error buying a short lease?

If you require a home loan the shortness of the lease may be problematic. Reduce the offer by the expected lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing proprietor has owned the property for at least 2 years you could ask them to start the process of the extension and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer concerning this matter.

In sourcing the world wide web for the phrase on line conveyancing in Gatley it reveals many solicitorsin the area. How do I determine which is the right solicitor for the sale of my house?

The preferential way of finding the right conveyancer is via trusted recommendation, so enquire of friends and those you trust who have purchased a property in Gatley or a reputable estate agent or financial adviser. Costs for conveyancing in Gatley vary, so it's advisable to obtain a minimum of three quotes from varying types of companies. Dont forget to clarify that the fees are fixed.