It is is a decade since I bought my home in Stockport. Conveyancing solicitors have now been retained on the sale but I am unable to find the title documents. Is this a problem?
You need not be too concerned. First the deeds may be with the mortgage company or they may be in the possession of the conveyancers who acted in your purchase. Secondly in most cases the title will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to prove you are the registered owner by your conveyancing solicitors obtaining up to date copy of the land registers. The vast majority of conveyancing in Stockport involves registered property but in the rare situation where your property is unregistered it is more of a problem but is not insurmountable.
How does conveyancing in Stockport differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Stockport come to us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is finished. This is because new home sellers in Stockport usually buy the land, 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 Stockport or who has acted in the same development.
I have been on the look out for a flat up to £305k and found one near me in Stockport I like with open areas and station in the vicinity, however it only has 52 remaining years left on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Stockport suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error acquiring a lease with such few years left?
If you need a mortgage the shortness of the lease will likely be problematic. Reduce the offer by the amount the lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the existing owner has owned the premises for a minimum of 2 years you could ask them to start the process of the extension and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor regarding this matter.
I am selling my home. My previous solicitors have shut. It would be helpful to have a recommendation of a conveyancing firm. I happen to live in Stockport if that makes a difference.
Please use our search tool to help you choose a solicitor for your conveyancing in Stockport. We have connected thousands of home buyers and sellers with regulated solicitors to ensure that the legalities of their house move goes smoothly.
Should I instruct a Stockport conveyancing practitioner based in the location that I am hoping to buy? I have an old university friend who can carry out the legal work however her office is 200kilometers away.
The benefit of a local Stockport conveyancing practice is that you can drop in to sign paperwork, deliver your identification documents and apply pressure on them where appropriate. Having local Stockport know how is a plus. That being said nothing is more important than finding someone that will do a good and efficient job. If if people you trust instructed your friend and the majority were impressed that should trump using an unfamiliar Stockport conveyancing lawyer just because they are Stockport based.