As a FTB what is the most important piece of guidance you can give me regarding purchase conveyancing in Ascot?

You may not hear this from too many lawyers but conveyancing in Ascot or throughout England and Wales is an adversarial experience. Put another way, when it comes to conveyancing there exists lots of room for friction between you and other parties involved in the transaction. E.g., the seller, estate agent and even potentially the mortgage company. Appointing a law firm for your conveyancing in Ascot should not be taken lightly as your conveyancer is your adviser, and is the ONLY party in the legal process whose responsibility is to act in your legal interests and to protect you.

There is a worrying increase in the "blame" culture- someone must be at fault for the process being so protracted. You should always trust your conveyancer above all other players when it comes to the legal transfer of property.

Due to the encouragement of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in Ascot prior to appointing lawyers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold aspect to the house. Our surveyor has said that some banks will refuse to issue a loan on this type of premises.

It depends who your proposed lender is. HSBC has different instructions for example to Birmingham Midshires. Should you wish to call us we can investigate further with the relevant lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Ascot. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Ascot to see if the conveyancing costs will increase in light of this.

I was pointed in your direction by two or three local selling agents in Ascot to find a property lawyer on your site. What’s the financial upside for Estate Agents to promote your services rather than alternative conveyancing organisations?

We don’t offer any referral fee for pointing buyers and sellers our way. We thought it would be too underhand a fee as a client could think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why am I not getting any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.

My father has suggested that I instruct his conveyancing solicitors in Ascot. Do I follow his recommendation?

Much as we are happy to recommend a Ascot conveyancing lawyer the ideal way to select a conveyancing lawyer is to get feedback from friends or family who have experience in using the firm you're considering.

Our sealed bid on detached house in Ascot was agreed to, the owner does nevertheless have an associated purchase. The current proprietors have submitted an offer on a property, however it’s not yet agreed to, and are looking at other apartments in the pipeline. I have instructed a nearby conveyancing solicitor in Ascot. What do I do now? When should I get the mortgage application with Leeds Building Society going with Leeds Building Society?

It is understandable to have apprehensions where there is an associated chain given your reluctance to be too out of pocket too early (home loan application is approx one thousand pounds, then valuation, Ascot conveyancing search costs, etc). First, you must ensure that your conveyancer is on the Leeds Building Society conveyancing panel. As to the next phase this very much dictated by the specifics of your case, desire for the property and on the state of the market. During a hot market the majority of home buyers will apply for the mortgage with Leeds Building Society and arrange for the valuation and only if it was satisfactory would they pay their conveyancer to press on with searches.