It is 10 years ago since I purchased my home in Neath Port Talbot. Conveyancing solicitors have recently been retained on the sale but I can't track down the title deeds. Is this a major issue?
You need not be too concerned. Firstly there is a chance that the deeds will be with your lender or they could be archived with the conveyancers who oversaw your purchase. Secondly the likelihood is that the property will be recorded at the land registry and you will be able to establish that you are the registered owner by your conveyancing lawyers procuring current official copies of the land registers. Most conveyancing in Neath Port Talbot involves registered property but in the rare situation where your property is not registered it is more tricky but is resolvable.
If you had a top tip for selecting a conveyancing solicitor in Neath Port Talbot what would it be?
It would be unwise to be swayed by the lowest Neath Port Talbot conveyancing quote. You really do get what you’re paying for when it comes to property lawyers. 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.
I'm spending time viewing apartments in Neath Port Talbot and I am about to put in an offer. Is it too early to have a solicitor in place? I intend to finance via a mortgage with Principality.
It would be sensible to start your search sooner rather than later. Once you decide who you want to use and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and pass their contact information on to the EA. As you are getting a mortgage with Principality, make sure you remember to check that your lawyer is on the Principality conveyancing panel.
Nationwide have agreed my home loan in principle, my bid on a flat in Neath Port Talbot has been accepted, what are the next steps?
Your property agent will wish to be informed of your solicitor's details (be sure the conveyancers are on the bank’s approved list). Contact Nationwide or your broker and finish off any relevant forms. Nationwide will appoint a valuer who will get in touch with the selling agent or owners to arrange an appointment. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes approximately a fortnight to receive the mortgage offer. Nationwide will send the offer to you and your property lawyers. The legal work will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Neath Port Talbot.
I decided to have a survey carried out on a house in Neath Port Talbot in advance of instructing lawyers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold element to the house. My surveyor advised that some banks will not grant a loan on such a premises.
It depends who your proposed lender is. Bank of Scotland has different requirements for example to Halifax. If you e-mail us we can check via the appropriate bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Neath Port Talbot. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Neath Port Talbot especially if they are accustomed to such properties in Neath Port Talbot.
My partner has recommend that I use his conveyancing solicitors in Neath Port Talbot. Do I take his guidance?
Much as we are happy to recommend a Neath Port Talbot conveyancing lawyer the best way to select a conveyancing practitioner is to have referrals from friends or relatives who have actually previously instructed the firm that you are contemplating using.
Is there a reason that Neath Port Talbot conveyancing fees differ for leasehold and freehold properties?
When purchasing a leasehold property there is more work involved purely due to the fact that usually there are further parties involved in the form of the freeholder and/or Management Agents. As part of a lawyers enquiries they will check that all ground rent and service charges are paid up to date amongst other general leasehold matters. For this reason, the Sellers lawyers usually have to refer to the freeholder or Managing Agent for their replies to our questions. This may be time consuming and beyond the lawyers control