At what point does exchange of contracts take place for domestic conveyancing in Alnwick and do I need to attend the solicitors office?

Where you are local to our conveyancing solicitors in Alnwick you are invited in to sign the paperwork. However, the firms we recommend offer a countrywide conveyancing service and give just as comprehensive and professional a job for you when dealing with you electronically. The signing of the contract is not the important part. Signing on the dotted line is necessary for the solicitor to exchange contracts when the time is right, which is ordinarily shortly after signing. The exchange process is nowadays normally dealt with by telephone and can be very rapid, although where an extended "chain" is in the mix, since the process requires the relevant party's solicitor (not necessarily a conveyancing solicitor in Alnwick)to be in the office at the appropriate time.

We are expecting a mortgage offer soon. The lender mentioned the home loan came with free conveyancing. Does this mean I have to use their panel lawyer as I would much rather use a local conveyancing solicitor in Alnwick?

You should check but the the probability is that appoint one of their panel conveyancers should you want the "fee-free" offer. Contact the mortgage company and see if they make available a cash alternative. Some lenders have previously offered a £250 cashback as a further option in which case that money can go towards the cost for your conveyancing solicitor in Alnwick.

I decided to have a survey carried out on a house in Alnwick in advance of instructing solicitors. I have been told that there is a flying freehold element to the property. Our surveyor advised that some banks will not give a mortgage on such a home.

It depends who your proposed lender is. Santander has different instructions from Halifax. If you contact us we can investigate further with the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Alnwick. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Alnwick especially if they are familiar with such properties in Alnwick.

There are only Seventy years left on my flat in Alnwick. I now want to get lease extension but my landlord is can not be found. What are my options?

On the basis that you qualify, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be granted an extra 90 years by the magistrate. However, you will be required to demonstrate that you have done all that could be expected to locate the freeholder. For most situations an enquiry agent should be helpful to conduct investigations and prepare a report to be accepted by the court as proof that the freeholder is indeed missing. It is wise to seek advice from a property lawyer both on devolving into the landlord’s absence and the application to the County Court covering Alnwick.

Alnwick Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Sample of Queries before Purchasing

Who are the managing agents? The best form of lease arrangement is where the freehold title is owned by the leaseholders. In this situation the tenants benefit from control and although a managing agent is frequently retained if it is larger than a house conversion, the managing agent employed by the leaseholders. Generally speaking the outlay for major works are not included within maintenance charges, albeit that there some managing agents in Alnwick ask tenants to contribute towards a reserve fund created for the specific intention of building a fund for larger works.

My boyfriend is buying a shared ownership flat in Alnwick. He has received a fee estimate by the property lawyer connected to the selling agents and it came to £1250 . It was seven years ago since I sold and purchased a house and it cost was £just under five hundred pounds. Have charges really increased to that extent?

You should call two or three local Alnwick conveyancing solicitors requesting estimates. It is advisable to base your decision not solely on cost, but on promptness and on how comprehensive the reply was.