We are purchasing a apartment in Mersea Island. I might seem paranoid but how we can trust a lawyer? On completion day we have to send money into their account. What protection do we have from them run away with our monies?

Be assured that all money in a Solicitors client account is 100% safe, and even if your Solicitor ran off with it, the Law Society would reimburse you fully.

There is lots of information on this site about conveyancing in Mersea Island but can you isolate your top tip for choosing the right conveyancer in Mersea Island

Do not opt for the cheapest Mersea Island conveyancing fees. You really do get what you’re paying for when it comes to conveyancing solicitors. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you go into the conveyancing with your eyes wide open.

My sealed bid on a detached house in Mersea Island has been accepted, the sellers do however have a dependent purchase. The vendors have offered on a flat, however it’s not yet agreed to, and are looking at other properties booked. I have instructed a bricks and mortar conveyancing solicitor in Mersea Island. What should be my next step? At what stage do I apply for the mortgage with Aldermore?

It is understandable to have apprehensions where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to be too out of pocket too early (home loan application is approx £1k, then valuation, Mersea Island conveyancing search costs, etc). First, you should check that your property lawyer is on the Aldermore approved list. As to the next stages this very much depends on the circumstances of your transaction, attraction to this property and on the state of the market. During a rising market the majority of buyers will apply for the mortgage with Aldermore and pay for the valuation and only if it comes back ok would they pay their conveyancing practitioner to proceed with searches.

I require quick conveyancing in Mersea Island as I am under an ultimatum to sign on the dotted line in less than 3 weeks. A mortgage is not required. Is it possible to escape the need for conveyancing searches to save money and time?

If.Given you are are a mortgage free purchaser you have the choice not to do searches although no solicitor would recommend that you don't. With lots of history conveyancing in Mersea Island the following are instances of what can show up and therefore impact future mortgageability: Refused Planning Applications, Overdue Charges, Overdue Grants, Railway Schemes,...

Me and my brother purchased a renovated Georgian property in Mersea Island. Conveyancing lawyer acted for me and Barclays Direct. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and I saw a couple of entries: one for freehold, the second leasehold under the matching property. Is it worth asking Barclays Direct to clarify?

You need to review the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Mersea Island and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they sell they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with lenders. You can also enquire as to the situation with the conveyancing lawyer who completed the work.

How does conveyancing in Mersea Island differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build residence in Mersea Island approach us having been asked by the developer to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is built. This is because developers in Mersea Island tend to acquire the site, 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 conveyancing solicitors 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 Mersea Island or who has acted in the same development.

I am looking at a two maisonettes in Mersea Island which have in the region of fifty years unexpired on the leases. Should I regard a short lease as a deal breaker?

A lease is a legal document that entitles you to use the property for a prescribed time frame. As a lease shortens the saleability of the lease decreases and it becomes more costly to acquire a lease extension. For this reason it is often a good idea to extend the lease term. Sometimes it is difficulties arise selling premises with a short lease because mortgage companies may be reluctant to lend money on such properties. Lease enfranchisement can be a protracted process. We recommend you seek professional assistance from a solicitor and surveyor with experience in this arena.

Mersea Island Leasehold Conveyancing - A selection of Queries before Purchasing

How many of the leaseholders are in arrears for their service charge payments? The best form of lease structure is where the freehold reversion is owned by the leaseholders. In this scenario the leaseholders benefit from control and even though a managing agent is frequently retained where the building is bigger than a house conversion, the managing agent employed by the leaseholders. Its a good idea to discover as much as you can regarding the managing agents as they will impact your use and enjoyment of the property. Being a leasehold owner you are frequently at the mercy of the managing agents both financially and when it comes to every day issues such as the cleanliness of the common parts. Don't be shy to ask other tenants what they think of their management. On a final note, investigate as to the dates that you are obliged pay the service charge to the managing agents and specifically what it includes.