I am in the process of refinancing my home in Whyteleafe, does my lawyer have to be on the Nottingham Conveyancing panel?

There is nothing to stop you using your solicitor, but Nottingham will insist on their interests being represented by a firm on their conveyancing panel. There is greater potential for delays and confusion with an additional lawyer added to the mix, and it will undoubtedly be more expensive too.

My relative advised me that if I am purchasing in Whyteleafe I should ask my conveyancer to perform a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. Can you explain what the purpose of this search is?

This is a search is occasionally quoted for as part of the standard Whyteleafe conveyancing searches. It is not a small report of more than thirty pages, listing and detailing important information about Whyteleafe around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the local Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average Property Price, Crime statistics, Whyteleafe Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data concerning Whyteleafe.

Despite weeks of looking the Title Certificate and documents to our property are lost. The solicitors who did the conveyancing in Whyteleafe 5 years ago are no longer around. What are my next steps?

These day there are copies made of almost everything, and your lawyer should be aware precisely where to locate all the appropriate paperwork so you may buy or sell your property without a hitch. If duplicates are not available, your solicitor may be able to arrange cover in the form of insurance or indemnities protecting you against future claims on your property.

My husband and I are new to the buying process - agreed a price, but the property agent told us that the vendor will only issue a contract if we appoint their recommended solicitors as they are insisting on an ‘expedited deal’. We would rather use a local solicitor with experience of conveyancing in Whyteleafe

It is unlikely the vendors are driving this. Should the vendor want ‘a quick sale', alienating a serious buyer is not the way to achieve this. Speak to the vendors direct and explain that (a)you are serious buyers (b)you are excited to move forward, with finances in place © you are chain free (d) you wish to move quickly (e)however you are going to instruct your own,trusted Whyteleafe conveyancing firm - not the ones that will provide the negotiator at the agency a introducer fee or meet his conveyancing targets pre-set by corporate headquarters.

I am just shy of a 10% deposit on my house purchase in Whyteleafe , but I am anxious go ahead. What can I do?

You can agree a lower deposit. Many property owners will agree to a lower deposit or even no deposit for a first time buyer or 100% mortgage. Be aware though that if you fail to complete you will still need to hand over a minimum of 10% of the purchase price regardless of how much deposit was agreed.

You can also agree a simultaneous exchange and completion as no deposit is required for this however neither party will be tied in until completion actually takes place and it can be risky if sellers change their mind at the last minute