We went with a high street solicitor for my conveyancing in Trafford last week. Looking through the terms of engagement I notewe are responsible for costs even where the conveyance does not complete. Would I be best advised to use a web based conveyancing company offering no completion no charge conveyancing in Trafford?

Generally there is a concession along the lines that if "No Completion No Fee" is available then the conveyancing charges will tend to be be more expensive to cover those transactions that do not go ahead. Also remember that such promotions rarely protect you from outlay such as Trafford conveyancing search expenses.

All was ready to move into my new home in Trafford next Friday. My solicitor now wants me to supply her with evidence of content and building insurance for the property as he says that he has to check this in his capacity as lawyer for the lender. What does the insurance need to cover?

Any lawyer on acting for lenders would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in a lender’s Part 2 requirements. These requirements are not limited to conveyancing in Trafford.

How does conveyancing in Trafford differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build residence in Trafford come to us having been asked by the housebuilder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is built. This is because new home sellers in Trafford tend to 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Trafford or who has acted in the same development.

Am I better off to appoint a Trafford conveyancing solicitor who is local to the property I am buying? I have an old university friend who can deal with the conveyancing however his firm is located approximately 350kilometers away.

The benefit of a high street Trafford conveyancing practice is that you can visit the firm to sign documents, hand in your ID and apply pressure on them if necessary. They will also have local insight which is a bonus. That being said nothing is more important than finding someone that will do a good and efficient job. If you know people who used your friend and the majority were content that should surpass using an unknown Trafford conveyancing solicitor solely due to them being Trafford based.

My lawyers in Trafford have advised me that they can not locate my conveyancing file. To assist with my purchase I took out a mortgage with the lender. Is it case that being on the mortgage company conveyancing panel they need to have retained the file for a prescribed period?

Different lenders have different requirements but many of the Terms and Conditions of Conveyancing Panel Appointment require the file to be held for a period of 6 years. That being said we have not seen a copy of the lender Conveyancing Panel Terms. It might be worth you contacting the lender directly.