As a FTB what is the most important piece of guidance you can give me regarding purchase conveyancing in Maryland?
You may not hear this from too many lawyers but conveyancing in Maryland or throughout London is often a confrontational process. In other words, when it comes to conveyancing there exists lots of room for confrontation between you and others involved in the transaction. For example, the seller, selling agent and even potentially the mortgage company. Selecting a solicitor for your conveyancing in Maryland an important selection as your conveyancer is your adviser, and is the ONE party in the process whose role it is to act in your best interests and to protect you.
On occasion a potential adversary may try and sway you that it is in your interests to do things their way. For instance, the estate agent may claim to be helping by suggesting your solicitor is dragging his heels. Or your mortgage broker may tell you to do something that is against your conveyancers advice. You should always trust your lawyer above all other parties when it comes to the legal transfer of property.
My wife and I have recently appointed a conveyancing solicitor in Maryland. I need to find out if they are accepted on the Birmingham Midshires approved list of lawyers. Could you or the lender confirm if they are on the panel?
You should contact your solicitor and ask them if they are on the lender panel. Alternatively you should get in touch with Birmingham Midshires who may be able to confirm.
I have been told that property searches are a common cause of hinderance in Maryland house deals. Is there any truth in this?
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) published findings of research by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not figure amongst the common causes of hindrances in the conveyancing process. Searches are not likely to feature in any holding up conveyancing in Maryland.
How does conveyancing in Maryland differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in Maryland approach us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is built. This is because new home sellers in Maryland usually buy 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 conveyancers 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 Maryland or who has acted in the same development.
I need to instruct a conveyancing practitioner in Maryland for my house move. Is it possible to check a firm’s record with the profession’s regulator?
One may find presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations arising from inquisitions from 2008 onwards. Go to Check a solicitor's record. To find details about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a firm's record, call 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For non-uk callers, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator sometimes monitor telephone calls for training reasons.