Me and my fiancee are buying our first home. Our conveyancer has contact usto see if we wish to purchase extra conveyancing searches. We are really unsure what's needed for conveyancing in Carshalton

The scope of Carshalton conveyancing searches should be triggered based entirely on the premises, the location, the possibility of any of these risks, your knowledge of the region and risks, your general appetite to risk. What matters is that you properly appreciate what information each search could supply. You may then decide if you consider that you need that information. Where you are in doubt, ask the conveyancer to recommend.

At what point will exchange of contracts happen for residential conveyancing in Carshalton and am I required to be at the solicitors branch?

If you are round the corner to our conveyancing solicitors in Carshalton you are invited in to sign contracts. That being said, the lender approved solicitors we work with supply a nationwide conveyancing service and provide as equally comprehensive and professional a job for you when dealing with you by post or email. The signing of the contract is not the important part. A signed contract simply enables the firm to exchange contracts when the time is right, which is ordinarily shortly after signing. The procedure is nowadays normally dealt with by telephone and can be very rapid, although where a long "chain" is in play, since the process requires the relevant party's solicitor (not necessarily a conveyancing solicitor in Carshalton)to be in the office available at the end of the phone to exchange contracts.

I just bought a property at auction in Carshalton. Conveyancing is necessary. What are my next steps?

Having exchanged you now have to retain a conveyancing practitioner as a matter of priority as you will have a pending a drop dead date to complete the purchase. Every auction property should have a bespoke auction set of papers. This should include most,if not all of the documents that your conveyancer requires. Where you are dealing with leasehold premises the legal papers may provide a copy of the lease, management information and a sellers leasehold information form and associated conveyancing documentation relating to leasehold premises. You need to give this to the conveyancer instructed by you at the earliest opportunity. You also need to ensure that you have funds in place to complete the transaction on the set completion date.

I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in Carshalton off the council. I have a mortgage offer with Bank of Ireland. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use one. Any advice?

It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Bank of Ireland, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel.

I've digested plenty of mortgage guides, I note that they all recommend that you should get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Carshalton solicitor - who is on the Leeds Building Society conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?

Leeds Building Society will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Leeds Building Society will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. You may wish to consider appointing your own Carshalton surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.

Is it possible to switch conveyancer as I need to choose one who is on the Leeds Building Society conveyancing panel. I was using a family conveyancing solicitor in Carshalton round the corner but the firm is not accepted by Leeds Building Society

We will our best to assist in finding you a conveyancing solicitor in Carshalton on the Leeds Building Society panel. Please note that the property lawyers that we work with do not pay us fee if you instruct them and are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority who oversee all conveyancing solicitors in Carshalton. Using search facility on this site, you can compare and instruct different solicitors and conveyancers both nationally and in Carshalton.

My husband and I are novice buyers - had an offer accepted, but the property agent has warned us that the owners will only issue a contract if we use their chosen lawyers as they want a ‘quick sale’. Our preferred option is to instruct a high street solicitor who is familiar with conveyancing in Carshalton

We suspect that the owner is unaware of this request. If they desire ‘a quick sale', alienating a serious purchaser is counter productive. Speak to the owners direct and make sure they understand (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are excited to move forward, with finances in place © you do not need to sell (d) you intend to proceed fast (e)however you will continue to appoint your preferred Carshalton conveyancing lawyers - as opposed tothose that will provide the estate agent a introducer fee or meet his conveyancing targets demanded by HQ.