The owners have rather pushy vendors who has recommended a lock out agreement with a down payment 10k. Are such agreements the norm for Malpas conveyancing transactions?

There are two primary downsides with signing a lock out agreement (sometimes referred to as a shut-out contract) is that it diverts attention away from moving forward with the conveyancing work, so in the absence of it needing minimal or no negotiation then it could transpire to be unhelpful. It is not promoted by Malpas conveyancing solicitors for this reason. A supplemental negative is the extent of the remedies available - an aggrieved purchaser is extremely unlikely to be granted injunctive relief to bar the vendor completing the sale to an alternative purchaser, so the only remedy available under the agreement will be the reimbursement of wasted costs and, in rare circumstances, the additional payment of damages.

Is it necessary during the course of the conveyancing process to attend the offices of the solicitor to sign the mortgage deed? If so, I will instruct a firm who offer conveyancing in Malpas so that I can pop in to their offices when needed.

Whereas this was necessary 12 years ago, most mortgage companies no longer require their conveyancing panel solicitor to witness the borrowers signature. It will still be necessary for you to hand over ID documents and there are still manifest benefits to choosing a local practitioner, in your situation a conveyancing solicitor in Malpas.

I'm buying my first flat in Malpas with the aid of help to buy. The sellers would not reduce the price so I negotiated £7000 of fixtures and fittings instead. The estate agent suggested that I not to tell my conveyancer about the extras as it will affect my loan with the bank. Do I keep my lawyer in the dark?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

How do I use the search facility to choose a conveyancing practitioner in Malpas on the approved list for my bank?

1st pick a mortgage company such as Santander, Norwich and Peterborough Building Society or Nottingham Building Society then choose your location e.g. Malpas. Conveyancing practices in Malpas and across England and Wales should be listed.

I need to appoint a conveyancing solicitor for purchase conveyancing in Malpas. I happened to chance upon a site which looks to be the ideal offering If it is possible to get all this stuff completed via web that would be ideal. Should I be wary? What are the potential pitfalls?

As usual with these online conveyancers you need to read ALL the small print - did you notice the extra charge for dealing with the mortgage?