It is is a decade since I bought my house in Freshford. Conveyancing solicitors have now been instructed on the sale but I am unable to locate the title deeds. Is this a problem?
Don’t worry too much. Firstly there is a chance that the deeds will be with your mortgage company or they may stored with the conveyancers who handled the purchase. Secondly in all probability the land will be recorded at the land registry and you will be able to prove you own the property by your conveyancing lawyers acquiring current official copies of the land registers. Most conveyancing in Freshford involves registered property but in the unlikely event that your property is unregistered it adds to the complexity but is not insurmountable.
How does conveyancing in Freshford differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in Freshford approach us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is built. This is because builders in Freshford typically buy 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 conveyancers 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Freshford or who has acted in the same development.
I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a property I put an offer in a fortnight ago in what was supposed to be a simple, no chain conveyancing. Freshford is the location of the property. What do you suggest?
Flying freeholds in Freshford are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Freshford you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds very carefully. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Freshford may determine that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold residence.