We are a couple about to exchange contracts for a ground floor flat in Winkleigh. We encountered a problem. Our loan offer with Nottingham Building Society runs out on 20/1/2025 but the owners are suggesting a completion date of 22/1/2025. Can one prolong the mortgage expiry date?

The best person to deal with your issue is your solicitors who is in a position to calculate if they should be discussing with the mortgage company, seller’s conveyancers, selling agents or conceivably all parties given what has happend in your house move to date.

I am planning to acquire a flat and need a conveyancing solicitor in Winkleigh who is on the The Mortgage Works approved. Can you recommend a local solicitor?

Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for The Mortgage Works in certain locations such as Winkleigh. We dont recommend any particular firm.

I am looking for a ground for flat up to £195,000 and found one round the corner in Winkleigh I like with amenity areas and station in the vicinity, however it's only got 52 remaining years left on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Winkleigh suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake purchasing a short lease?

If you need a mortgage the shortness of the lease will likely be an issue. Reduce the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the existing owner has owned the premises for a minimum of twenty four months you can request that they start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the current lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor about this matter.

I was pointed in your direction by a few property agents in Winkleigh to choose a property lawyer using your seach tool. Is there a financial inducement for Estate Agents to promote your services rather than another?

We refuse to offer any referral fee for pointing buyers and sellers in our direction. We found it would be just too difficult to pay a commission as members of the public would think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I getting any benefit too?’ So we decided to step away from that.

What is the difference between surveying and conveyancing in Winkleigh?

Conveyancing - in Winkleigh or elsewhere - is the legal term given to transferring legal title of property from one person to another. It involves the investigation of the title. Whether buying or selling, you should be aware of anything affecting the property such as proposals by government departments, illegal buildings, or outstanding rates. The conveyancer should conduct the appropriate searches and inquiries on the property. Surveying relates to the structure of a property itself. A surveyor will look at a house, flat and any outbuildings you’re intending to buy and will help you discover the condition of the building and, if there are problems, give you leverage for negotiating the buying price down or asking the seller to remedy the problems prior to you complete your move.