As a FTB what is the most important piece of guidance you can give me regarding purchase conveyancing in Port Talbot?

Not many law firms shout this from the rooftops but conveyancing in Port Talbot or throughout is often a confrontational experience. Put another way, when it comes to conveyancing there exists an abundance of opportunity for conflict between you and others involved in the ownership transfer. For instance, the seller, estate agent and sometimes the lender. Appointing a law firm for your conveyancing in Port Talbot is a critical decision as your conveyancer is your adviser, and is the ONLY party in the transaction whose interest is to protect your legal interests and to keep you safe.

Every so often a third party with a vested interest may attempt to convince you that it is in your interests to do things their way. For example, the estate agent may claim to be helping by claiming that your conveyancer is slow. Or your mortgage broker may try to convince you to do take action 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.

A colleague suggested that where I am purchasing in Port Talbot I should ask my conveyancer to execute a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?

This is a search is sometimes quoted for as part of the standard Port Talbot conveyancing searches. It is not a small report of more than thirty pages, listing and detailing important information about Port Talbot around the property and the people living there. It incorporates 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 statistics, Port Talbot Education with plans and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information concerning Port Talbot.

It has been five months following my purchase conveyancing in Port Talbot completed. I have checked the Land Registry website which shows that I paid £150,000 when infact I paid £170,000. Why the discrepancy?

The price paid figure is taken from the application to register the purchase. It is the figure included in the Transfer (the legal deed which transfers the premises from one person to the other) and referred to as the 'consideration' or purchase price. You can report an error in the price paid figure using the LR online form. In most cases errors result from typos so at first glance the figure. Do report it so they can double check and advise.

How does conveyancing in Port Talbot differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build property in Port Talbot approach us having been asked by the seller to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is ready to move into. This is because developers in Port Talbot usually 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 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Port Talbot or who has acted in the same development.

Whilst your website is a good idea there are many lawyers listed near Port Talbot being on the lender conveyancing panel. It would be a lot more helpful if you could recommend a specific firm on the mortgage company approved panel?

We do not recommend specific Port Talbot firms as the right Port Talbot conveyancing firm for you depends on where your priorities lie. For example you may require a local firm with Port Talbot knowledge or you might be looking for the low cost conveyancing. Before you appoint your lawyer we advise you to speak to two or three of the the firms listed to gain comfort as to which one is right for you..