The vendors of the home we are looking to purchase have instructed a conveyancing solicitor in Lydiate who has insisted on a exclusivity agreement with a payment of 5k. Are such arrangements appropriate for Lydiate conveyancing transactions?

There are two main downsides with executing a lock out contract (sometimes referred to as an exclusivity agreement) is that it takes away the focus from progressing with the conveyancing transaction itself, so in the absence of it needing minimal or no negotiation then it may turn out to be a cause of frustration and delay. It is not strongly advocated amongst Lydiate conveyancing solicitors for this reason. A further concern is the extent of the remedies available - a jilted purchaser is very unlikely to be granted an injunction to prevent the vendor selling to a third party, so the only remedy open via the agreement will be the reimbursement of wasted costs and, in rare scenarios, the extra payment of penalties.

I am purchasing a terraced house in Lydiate. Conveyancing solicitors are said to be ‘a necessary evil’ but can I do it myself?

Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing in Lydiate you will have to appoint a solicitor on your lender's conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to be made in you doing conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on your lender panel in Lydiate.

How does conveyancing in Lydiate differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Lydiate approach us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is constructed. This is because builders in Lydiate tend to buy the real estate, 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 property lawyers 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 Lydiate or who has acted in the same development.

Taking into account that I will soon part with £400,000 on 3 bedroom house in Lydiate I would like to have a conversation with the conveyancer regarding thetransaction prior to giving the go ahead to the firm. Can this be arranged?

Absolutely - it is our preference to talk to you we do not take any clients on without you liaising with the solicitor who will be doing your property ownership legalities in Lydiate.There is no ‘factory style conveyancing’ - each client is unique person, not a case reference. The law firms that we put you in touch with believe that the fees you are provided with for residential conveyancing in Lydiate should be the figure that you are charged.

I have been advised by various family members to expect six to eight weeks for Lydiate conveyancing to complete.This was a month ago. The draft contract was only received to my last week so now does it countdown?

One should take with some degree of scepticism any promises as to fast completion times. Rather you should enquire about the average timeframe to complete Lydiate conveyancing transactions and whether they are content to move towards an agreed target date for your home move in Lydiate