I am acquiring a house mortgage free in Beaminster. I have been living for the previous 15 years in Beaminster. Conveyancing searches are exorbitant. Given that I know the road and vicinity intimately must I have all the conveyancing searches?

In the absence of a mortgage, then almost all of the Beaminster conveyancing searches are optional. Your lawyer will ’encourage you, no-doubt strongly, that you should have searches completed, but she is duty bound to do this. Do take into account; if you are intend to sell the house at a future date, it could be of relevance to your future purchaser what the searches determine. On occasion premises with no practical issues can still throw up unfavourable search results. A competent conveyancing solicitor in Beaminster should be able to give you some practical guidance in this regard.

In what way does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Beaminster? Why is this being asked of me?

Beaminster conveyancing solicitors as well as nationwide property practitioners accross the UK have an obligation under Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules to check the identity of any client in order to satisfy themselves that clients are who they say they are.

Conveyancing clients are required to disclose two forms of certified ID; proof of ID (usually a Passport or Driving Licence) and evidence of address (typically a Utility Bill less than 3 months old).

Proof of source of funds is also necessary under the money laundering laws as conveyancers are required to check that the funds you are utilising to acquire a property (whether it be the deposit for exchange or the full purchase monies if you are a cash purchaser) has originated from legitimate source (such as employment savings) as opposed to the proceeds of criminal behaviour.

A colleague suggested that where I am purchasing in Beaminster I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. Can you explain what the purpose of this search is?

This is a search is usually included in the estimate for your Beaminster conveyancing searches. It is a large report of about 40 pages, listing and setting out significant information about Beaminster around the property and the people living there. It incorporates an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Beaminster Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average Property Price, Crime details, Local Education with plans and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information regarding Beaminster.

How does conveyancing in Beaminster differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in Beaminster contact us having been asked by the developer to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is completed. This is because builders in Beaminster tend to acquire 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 property lawyers 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 used to new build conveyancing in Beaminster or who has acted in the same development.

I need to retain a conveyancing solicitor for some conveyancing in Beaminster. I've discover a site which appears to be the perfect offering If there is a chance to get all the legals done via email that would be ideal. Do I need to be wary? What should out be looking out for?

As usual with these online conveyancers you need to read ALL the small print - did you notice the extra charge for dealing with the mortgage?