We were about to choose a conveyancing solicitor in Sevenoaks listed by you but have come across alternative estimates via the web appear less pricey – how come?

You can find plenty of solicitors advertising what appear to be cut price. Our advice is to think twice about how important this transaction is to you that you are willing to be penny wise pound foolish with regard to the standard of the legal work. Many of them highlight a budget quote to catch your eye but plant supplemental fees in the fine print..

We are buying our first house. Our conveyancer has contact usto check if we would like to purchase supplemental conveyancing searches. As novices we in the dark as to what's needed for conveyancing in Sevenoaks

The range of Sevenoaks conveyancing searches should be dictated entirely on the property, the location, the likelihood of any of these risks, your knowledge of the region and risks, your general approach to risk. What matters is that you properly understand what information each search could provide. Then you can decide if you consider that you need that information. Should you be unsure, ask the conveyancing practitioner to guide you.

It is 10 years ago since I acquired my home in Sevenoaks. Conveyancing solicitors have just been instructed on the sale but I am unable to find the title deeds. Is this a major issue?

You need not be too concerned. Firstly the deeds may be kept by your mortgage company or they may still be with the solicitor who acted in your purchase. Secondly in most cases the land will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to prove you own the property by your conveyancing lawyers acquiring current official copies of the land registers. The vast majority of conveyancing in Sevenoaks relates to registered property but in the rare situation where your home is not registered it is more problematic but is resolvable.

I am purchasing my first flat in Sevenoaks benefiting from help to buy. The sellers refused to reduce the price so I negotiated 6k of additionals instead. The house builders rep suggested that I not inform my lawyer about the deal as it could jeopardize my loan with Aldermore. Should I keep quiet?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

Is it best to instruct a Sevenoaks conveyancing solicitor who is local to the property I am hoping to buy? I have an old university friend who can execute the conveyancing but his firm is located 300kilometers away.

The primary upside of using a local Sevenoaks conveyancing firm is that you can visit the firm to sign paperwork, present your ID and pester them if necessary. They will also have local knowledge which is a benefit. However nothing is more important than finding someone that will pull out all the stops for you. If other friends have used your friend and the majority were content that must trump using an unfamiliar Sevenoaks conveyancing solicitor just because they are local.