Why do I have to pay up front when it comes to conveyancing in Northampton?
Where you are retaining lawyers for conveyancing in Northampton your lawyer will ask you to provide them with monies to cover the the cost of the conveyancing searches. This will be the total of the cost of the Local Authority Search. If any deposit is as part of the total price then this will be needed shortly in advance of exchange of contracts. Any further balance that is needed should be transferred shortly before completion.
Over the last few months I have been searching for a flat up to £195,000 and found one near me in Northampton I like with amenity areas and railway links in the vicinity, however it's only got 49 years unexpired on the lease. There is not much else in Northampton for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake buying a lease with such few years left?
If you need a home loan the remaining unexpired lease term may be problematic. Reduce the offer by the amount the lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing owner has owned the property for a minimum of 2 years you could request that they start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor concerning this.
I am thinking of appointing a conveyancing solicitor in Northampton for my home move. Is it possible to see a solicitor's record with the legal regulator?
You can see published Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations arising from investigations from 2008 onwards. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For information about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a solicitors history, ring 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. International callers, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA could monitor telephone calls for training purposes.