Is there a reason to appoint a Northamptonshire conveyancing company when internet based alternatives are so much cheaper?

By all means make sure that you shop around for conveyancing costs in Northamptonshire and you should seek a competitive estimate but don’t become consumed with searching for the cheapest Northamptonshire conveyancer. Finding the right conveyancer can mark the difference between a seamless and a distressing house move. It is important that you ensure that you have expert advice from a trusted lawyer. An e-mail can never be as helpful as a phone discussion and are no substitute for a one to one meeting. Our partner firms will find you a qualified and trusted conveyancing solicitor that will deal with your conveyancing from from the outset to completion, providing a level of personalised service that you will never get with an web based conveyancer. He or She will contact you regularly to update you on any developments making sure that you are never in the dark. If you ever need to phone the office you will be sure who you need to speak to and we'll ensure you are in the know.

What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Northamptonshire? Is this really necessary?

Northamptonshire conveyancing solicitors and indeed property lawyers accross the UK have a duty under money laundering regulations to check the identity of any client with a view to ensure that clients are who they say they are.

Conveyancing clients will need to produce two forms of certified identification; proof of ID (typically a Passport or Driving Licence) and evidence of address (typically a Bank Statement no more than three months).

Proof of the origin of funds is also necessary in compliance with the money laundering laws as solicitors are required to investigate that the money you are utilising to buy a property (whether it be the deposit for exchange or the total purchase amount if you are a cash purchaser) has come from a reputable source (such as an inheritance) and is not the proceeds of illegitimate behaviour.

What happens if my lawyer’s firm is suspended from the Nationwide Solicitor panel ahead of completing my conveyancing in Northamptonshire?

First, this is a very rare occurrence. 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.

What is your number one tip for finding a conveyancing solicitor in Northamptonshire

It would be unwise to be seduced by the cheapest Northamptonshire conveyancing quote. You really do get what you pay for when it comes to conveyancing solicitors. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you go into the conveyancing with your eyes wide open.

Are all Northamptonshire Conveyancing Quality Solicitors on the HSBC conveyancing list of approved solicitors?

It is true that some banks and building societies now make use of the accreditation scheme as the starting point for Panel approval such as HSBC and Santander. CQS membership however gives no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. Nevertheless,the CML have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for solicitors wishing to join their panels.

I'm in the process of viewing apartments in Northamptonshire and I am about to put in an offer. Should I already have a solicitor appointed at this point? I intend to finance via a home loan with Nationwide.

It would be advisable to instigate your search sooner rather than later. After you have chosen your lawyer and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and pass their contact information on to the estate agent. Given that you are taking out a mortgage with Nationwide, ask your prospective lawyers if they are on the Nationwide conveyancing panel otherwise they can't do the mortgage legal work.

I have been on the look out for a flat up to £245,000 and found one close by in Northamptonshire I like with open areas and railway links nearby, however it only has 49 years unexpired on the lease. There is not much else in Northamptonshire suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake acquiring a lease with such few years left?

If you require a home loan the remaining unexpired lease term will likely be a potential deal breaker. Discount the offer by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current owner has owned the premises for a minimum of twenty four months you can ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the current lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor regarding this.