I can't travel far from Mossley Hill. Is there a reason why all Mossley Hill aren't included on all lender panels?
Even though it may seem unfair for mortgage companies to restrict who can act for them, from the public’s or conveyancer’s viewpoint, the other side of the coin is that mortgage companies are becoming ever more anxious and consider it essential to defend themselves against illegal activities. As a consequence of this concern banks have restricted their panel of approved conveyancing lawyers to a manageable size.
I am considering applying for a mortgage for purchase of a newly converted (under development) in Mossley Hill with 60% loan to value. Is it compulsory to choose a solicitor on the conveyancing panel for ?
In theory, you could use a solicitor that is not on the conveyancing panel, but would require one of their panel solicitors to be instructed to act in their interests, and you'd have to pay for this - so most people instruct a panel solicitor. It's also easier, as otherwise you'd have to deal with two solicitors for the same conveyancing matter.
My friend suggested that if I am buying in Mossley Hill I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?
This is a search is usually included in the estimate for your Mossley Hill conveyancing searches. It is not a small document of about 40 pages, listing and detailing significant information about Mossley Hill around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the local Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the demographics of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average Property Price, Crime details, Local Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data about Mossley Hill.
I purchased a terraced Victorian house in Mossley Hill. Conveyancing solicitor acted for me and . I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and I saw a couple of entries: the first freehold, the second leasehold under the exact same address. I thought I was buying a freehold how can I check?
You should assess the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register for mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Mossley Hill and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they sell they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with mortgage companies. You can also enquire as to the situation with your conveyancing lawyer who conducted the purchase.
My husband and I are first time buyers - agreed a price, yet the agent told us that the owners will only move forward if we instruct their recommended lawyers as they need an ‘expedited deal’. We would rather use a high street conveyancer accustomed to conveyancing in Mossley Hill
We suspect that the owner is unaware of this requirement. Should the seller desire ‘a quick sale', turning down a motivated buyer is counter productive. Avoid the agents and go straight to the sellers and make sure they understand (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are ready to go, with finances arranged © you are chain free (d) you wish to move quickly (e)however you intend to instruct your own,trusted Mossley Hill conveyancing solicitors - not the ones that will give the negotiator at the agency a referral fee or hit his conveyancing targets pre-set by HQ.