Forgive me if this question is silly but I am new to the home buying as a first time buyer of a two bedroom flat in Watford. Do I collect the keys to the property on the completion date from my conveyancer? If so, I will use a local conveyancing solicitor in Watford?
There is no need to visit the lawyers office on the day of completion. Your solicitors will arrange to send the purchase money to the seller's solicitors, and shortly after the monies have arrived, you should be invited to receive the keys from the property Agents and start moving into the property. Usually this occurs between 1 and 3pm.
Is there a list of Co-operative panel conveyancers in Watford on the Council of Mortgage Lender’s Website?
Unfortunately not yet. There is no such tool on the Council of Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association sites. Very few lending institutions make their panel listings viewable on the web. If you are looking for a Watford conveyancer on the Co-operative please use our tool.
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in Watford off the council. I have a mortgage agreed with Santander. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have one. Any advice?
It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Santander, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Santander conveyancing panel.
Various web forums that I have visited warn that are a common reason for obstruction in Watford house deals. Is this right?
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) released findings of a review by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not feature amongst the common causes of delays in the conveyancing process. Searches are unlikely to be the root cause of holding up conveyancing in Watford.
five months have gone by since my purchase conveyancing in Watford took place. I have checked the Land Registry site which shows that I paid £175,000 when infact I paid £160,000. Why the discrepancy?
The price paid figure is taken from the application to register the purchase. It is the figure included in the Transfer (the legal deed which transfers the property from one person to the other) and referred to as the 'consideration' or purchase price. You can report an error in the price paid figure using the LR online form. In most cases errors result from typos so at first glance the figure. Do report it so they can double check and advise.
How does conveyancing in Watford differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Watford contact us having been asked by the builder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is constructed. This is because developers in Watford tend to purchase the site, 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 Watford or who has acted in the same development.
I am using a search engine for the term cheap conveyancing in Watford it reveals numerous conveyancerslocally. With so much choice what is the best way to find the right conveyancing solicitor for purchase transaction?
The preferential method of finding the right conveyancer is through a trusted referral, so enquire of friends and family who have bought a property in Watford or the local estate agent or mortgage broker. Costs for conveyancing in Watford vary, so it's a good idea to secure a minimum of three fee calculations from different companies. Dont forget to clarify what costs in the quote includes.