My family lawyer has given a fee calculation of £1400 for no move no fee conveyancing in Totnes. I am hoping to sell a Victorian house for £150,000. Is this over the top? Is it above the norm for conveyancing in Totnes?

The costs illustration is fractionally on the expensive side. If you are prepared to spend time scrutinising charges you could reduce the fees marginally by say a hundred pounds. On the other hand, you mightcome to regret choosing an an untested conveyancer. If is important to be sure the firm can represent your lender. You can employ our comparison tool to get a quote a Totnes conveyancing company on the banks member panel which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Totnes.

My husband and I have arranged the release of further funds on our home loan from Nottingham as we want to conduct improvements to our property in Totnes. Do we need to choose a local Totnes solicitor on the Nottingham conveyancing panel to handle the legals?

Nottingham would not normally require firms on their approved list of lawyers to deal with the formalities. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the Nottingham conveyancing panel.

We have a mortgage agreed in principle with HSBC. Totnes conveyancing solicitors are instructed. What is the average time that one could expect to receive a mortgage offer from HSBC?

There is no definitive answer here. Have HSBC done the valuation? Have you advised HSBC as to your lawyers' details and checked that your lawyers are on the HSBC conveyancing panel? Sometimes it can take as long as six weeks for a mortgage offer to be issued.

At last I have had an offer on a flat in Totnes accepted, but there is a chain. The vendors have offered on on an apartment, but it’s not yet tied up, and are looking at other apartments booked. I have chosen a nearby conveyancing solicitor in Totnes. What should be my next step? When do I get the mortgage application with Aldermore started?

It is usual to have apprehensions where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to incur expenses prematurely (home loan application is in the region of one thousand pounds, then survey, Totnes conveyancing search charges, etc). The first thing to do is ensure that your property lawyer is on the Aldermore conveyancing panel. Concerning the next phase this very much depends on the specifics of your case, desire for this property and on the state of the market. During a rising market some buyers will apply for the mortgage with Aldermore and pay for the valuation and only if it was satisfactory would they ask their solicitor to proceed with searches.

I am looking for a flat up to £195,000 and found one near me in Totnes I like with amenity areas and station in the vicinity, however it only has 52 years unexpired on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Totnes for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake purchasing a lease with such few years left?

Should you need a home loan that many years may be problematic. Reduce the price by the expected lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current proprietor has owned the property for at least 2 years you can request that they start the process of the extension and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the current lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should speak to your conveyancing lawyer concerning this matter.

Is it simple use the search app to select a conveyancing lawyer in Totnes on the authorised to act for my mortgage?

1st pick a mortgage company such as HSBC Bank, The Royal Bank of Scotland or Britannia then type in your preferred area for instance Totnes. Conveyancing practices in Totnes and further afield will then be listed.

My wife and I plan to buy our first property in Totnes. Conveyancing solicitor already selected. The financial consultant pointed out that a survey is not appropriate as the house is only fifteen years old.

The bare minimum you need a Home Buyer's Report. As the residence is more than ten years old the property will be without a warranty, so you would be well advised not to take a risk. Where a property of this age shows no signs of problems a Home Buyer's report may suffice. They will highlight any apparent issues and suggest additional investigation where appropriate. Where there are any indications of problems seek a comprehensive structural survey.