At what point does exchange of contracts occur in purchase conveyancing in Preston Park and am I required to be at the lawyers branch?

Where you are round the corner to one of the conveyancing solicitors in Preston Park you are invited in to sign contracts. However, the lender approved solicitors we work with offer countrywide coverage for conveyancing and give just as diligent and professional a job for you when dealing with you by post or email. The signing of the contract is not the point of no return. Signing on the dotted line is necessary for the firm to officially exchange at the appropriate time, which will usually be very shortly after signing. The procedure is nowadays normally dealt with by telephone and can be very rapid, although where a lengthy "chain" is in the mix, since the process requires the relevant party's solicitor (not necessarily a conveyancing solicitor in Preston Park)to be in the office available at the end of the phone to exchange contracts.

Can you clarify what the consequences are if my solicitor is removed from the Skipton Solicitor panel ahead of completing my conveyancing in Preston Park?

The first thing to point out is that, this is very unlikely to happen. In most cases even where a law firm is removed off of a panel the lender would allow the completion to go ahead as the lender would appreciate the difficulties that they would place you in if you have to instruct a new solicitor days before completion. In a worst case scenario where the lender insists that you instruct a new firm then it is possible for a very good lawyer to expedite the conveyancing albeit that you may pay a significant premium for this. The analogous situation is where a buyer instructs a lawyer, exchanges contracts and the law firm is shut down by a regulator such as the SRA. Again, in this situation you can find lawyers who can troubleshoot their way to bring the conveyancing to a satisfactory conclusion - albeit for a fee.

I have been on the look out for a ground for flat up to £245,000 and found one near me in Preston Park I like with a park and transport links nearby, the downside is that it's only got 51 years unexpired on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Preston Park for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error acquiring a short lease?

Should you require a mortgage the remaining unexpired lease term will be a potential deal breaker. Discount the price by the amount the lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current owner has owned the property for at least 2 years you could ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer regarding this matter.

In my capacity as executor for the estate of my grandmother I am disposing of a house in Monmouth but live in Preston Park. My lawyer (approximately 235 miles awayhas requested that I sign a stat dec before completion. Can you recommend a conveyancing solicitor in Preston Park to attest this legal document for me?

strictly speaking you should not need to have the documents witnessed by a conveyancing solicitor. Normally or notary public or qualified solicitor will suffice regardless of whether they are Preston Park based

I am in the process of buying my first home in Preston Park. Conveyancing solicitor has been instructed. The mortgage adviser pointed out that a survey is not appropriate as the house was only built twenty two years ago.

At the very least you should order a Home Buyer's Report. As the residence is more than ten years old the property will not come with a warranty, so you don't want to take a risk. For a property that age with no signs of defects a Home Buyer's report could be enough. They will highlight any apparent issues and suggest additional investigation where appropriate. Where there are any indications of material issues get a full Building Survey from the beginning.