My fiancee and I are acquiring our first house. Our conveyancing practitioner has messagedto enquire if we want to take out extra conveyancing searches. Frankly we have no idea as to what's necessary for conveyancing in Stourbridge

The number and type of Stourbridge conveyancing searches should be dictated primarily on the premises, the location, the likelihood of any of these risks, your familiarity of the area and risks, your general attitude to risk. What matters is that you properly comprehend what information each search could give you. You may then make a decision if you personally think you need that information. Should you be in doubt, ask the solicitor to guide you.

Should my solicitor be raising enquiries regarding flooding as part of the conveyancing in Stourbridge.

Flooding is a growing risk for solicitors dealing with homes in Stourbridge. There are those who buy a property in Stourbridge, fully aware that at some time, it may be flooded. However, leaving to one side the physical damage, if a property is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to obtain a mortgage, suitable building insurance, or dispose of the property. Steps can be carried out as part of the conveyancing process to forewarn the buyer.

Solicitors are not qualified to offer advice on flood risk, but there are a numerous searches that can be initiated by the buyer or on a buyer’s behalf which will give them a better appreciation of the risks in Stourbridge. The standard property information forms supplied to a buyer’s lawyer (where the Conveyancing Protocol is adopted) contains a usual question of the owner to find out if the property has suffered from flooding. If flooding has previously occurred which is not disclosed by the seller, then a purchaser may issue a claim for damages as a result of such an inaccurate reply. The buyer’s solicitors may also order an environmental search. This will indicate if there is a recorded flood risk. If so, further investigations will need to be initiated.

I have been on the look out for a leasehold apartment up to £195,000 and found one near me in Stourbridge I like with open areas and station nearby, however it only has 52 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Stourbridge for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake buying a short lease?

Should you need a mortgage the remaining unexpired lease term may be a potential deal breaker. Discount the offer by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing owner has owned the premises for a minimum of 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 term with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor concerning this matter.

I was advised by numerous property agents in Stourbridge to choose a conveyancer using your seach tool. Is there a financial upside for Estate Agents to offer your services over alternative conveyancing organisations?

We refuse to offer any financial incentive for sending work our way. We thought it would be too underhand a fee because members of the public would think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why am I not receiving any benefit too?’ So we decided to step away from that.

I am using a search engine for the phrase conveyancing in Stourbridge it reveals numerous solicitorsin the vicinity. How do I determine which is the suitable solicitor for my move?

The best method of choosing a suitable conveyancer is through a trusted testimonial, so enquire of colleagues and family who have bought a property in Stourbridge or a local estate agent or financial adviser. Fees for conveyancing in Stourbridge differ, so it's advisable to obtain at least four estimates from varying types of companies. Make sure that you know what costs in the quote includes.