The solicitor who helped my former purchase has sent a quote for £995 for freehold conveyancing in Reading. I’m looking to sell a newly refurbished detached home for £275,000. This appears too much. Is it above the norm for conveyancing in Reading?

The quote is fractionally on the expensive side. Where you are happy to spend time contrasting fee on a like for like basis you may be able to decrease the fees marginally by perhaps £125. On the other hand, you couldcome to regret opting for an a cheaper lawyer. Remember to ensure the conveyancer can represent your mortgage company. You can use our comparison tool to locate a Reading conveyancing company on the banks approved list of lawyers which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Reading.

Can you explain why leasehold purchase conveyancing in Reading costs more?

Reading leasehold conveyancing transactions usually involve additional investigations than freeholds including investigating the Lease, liaising with the Landlord such as serving applicable notices on the Landlord or managing agent, obtaining up-to-date service charge and management information, obtaining Landlord’s consents and reviewing management accounts and formation documents.

Do the Building Society Association intend to launch a search tool with a view to list firms on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel for example in Reading?

We would not expect to be advised of any plans on the part of the BSA to promote such a search facility.

I am purchasing my first flat in Reading benefiting from help to buy. The builders refused to move on the amount so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of fixtures and fittings instead. The sale representative suggested that I not disclose to my conveyancer about the extras as it would jeopardize my mortgage with Clydesdale. Should I keep quiet?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the developer 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.

Am I better off to appoint a Reading conveyancing practitioner in close proximity to the house I am purchasing? An old friend can handle the conveyancing however her office is over three hundred kilometers drive away.

The benefit of a high street Reading conveyancing practice is that you can drop in to execute paperwork, present your identification documents and pester them where appropriate. They will also have local knowledge which is a plus. However nothing is more important than finding someone that will pull out all the stops for you. If other friends have instructed your friend and the majority were content that must surpass using an unfamiliar Reading conveyancing lawyer solely due to them being local.