A smooth conveyancing makes the process of buying a house much more straightforward
Conveyancing is the legal process for transferring property ownership from the seller to the buyer. We’ve talked about the steps involved. Next, let’s look at how to encourage a smooth and straightforward transaction when you’re buying a home.
Find an experienced solicitor or conveyancer
So you’ve just had an offer accepted on a property? Now is the time to instruct a qualified, experienced conveyancer or solicitor. (A conveyancer can cost less, but solicitors are required for more complicated property transactions, such as when there’s a disagreement over a property’s boundaries.) This person will take care of the legal work, including:
- Carrying out searches
- Talking with your seller’s legal representative
- Making sure all contracts and documents are in order
- Transferring your money to buy the property
Find someone skilled at explaining what you need to do and when. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions about timelines and documents. The conveyancing process can be complicated, so you will appreciate a clear communicator!
Once you’ve found this legal professional, the sooner you can start the paperwork, the earlier you can spot – and fix – any problems. You’ll need to do some initial ID and anti-money laundering checks.
Review documents carefully
You must look through various forms the seller fills out, including the TA6 form and TA10 form. As obvious as it sounds, take the time to study these and all other paperwork associated with your property transfer. Even a small mistake can cause issues, costing you time and potential legal disputes, not to mention impacting the rest of the property chain.
In particular, pay attention to contracts and title deeds, including:
- The property type – is it freehold or leasehold?
- The physical boundaries
- Any rights (like a shared driveway)
- Any covenants that restrict how you use the property, such as not running a business from home
If in any doubt, ask your solicitor for guidance.
Don’t underestimate the importance of searches
Your searches are a crucial way to flag up any potential issues that might affect the property’s value or your ability to live there happily. Sometimes it’s your solicitor who recommends searches, and other times it’s the mortgage lender who needs these to protect them against liabilities.
Searches typically include:
- Local authority – planning issues, schemes to build new roads and other local matters
- Environmental – the risk of flooding or contaminated land
- Title – the seller’s ownership and any restrictions on the property
- Water and drainage – the property is connected to the mains water and sewage systems
Note: Your solicitor or conveyancer might charge you extra for searches. Don’t overlook them when calculating the conveyancing fees.
Keep in touch with everyone
Especially if you’re part of a chain, it can feel like a lot of people are involved in your house purchase. But it’s vital to communicate well with your solicitor, estate agent, and other parties so everyone knows what to expect. For example, if you’re about to travel abroad and won’t check your emails for the next fortnight.
It’s all about trying to keep the process ticking over and minimise delays and frustrations.
Final thoughts
While you’re not in full control of the conveyancing process, you can help it move smoothly. Choosing an experienced estate agent is another factor. They’ll use their local knowledge and insights to steer everything in the right direction. Find your nearest Winkworth office to get started today.
