What will a local search reveal regarding the house we're purchasing in Reading?

Reading conveyancing often starts with the applying for local authority searches directly from your local Authority or via a personal search company for instance Searches UK The local search is essential in every Reading conveyancing purchase; as long as you wish to avoid any unpleasant once you have moved into your new home. The search should supply information on, amongst other things, details on planning applications applicable to the premises (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of 13 subject sections.

It has been 4 months since my purchase conveyancing in Reading completed. I have checked the Land Registry website which shows that I paid £175,000 when infact I paid £180,000. Why the discrepancy?

The price paid figure is taken from the application to register the purchase. It is the figure included in the Transfer (the legal deed which transfers the residence from one person to the other) and referred to as the 'consideration' or purchase price. You can report an error in the price paid figure using the LR online form. In most cases errors result from typos so at first glance the figure. Do report it so they can double check and advise.

I'm purchasing a new build house in Reading benefiting from help to buy. The developers refused to budge the amount so I negotiated £7000 of extras instead. The house builders rep suggested that I not reveal to my lawyer about this deal as it will affect my loan with Aldermore. Is this normal?.

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.

I have been on the look out for a flat up to £305k and found one round the corner in Reading I like with open areas and station in the vicinity, the downside is that it only has 51 remaining years left on the lease. There is not much else in Reading for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error buying a short lease?

If you require a mortgage that many years will likely be an issue. Reduce the offer by the anticipated lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current proprietor has owned the property for at least 2 years you may ask them to start the process of the extension and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the current lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor concerning this.

Am I right to be suspicious by estate agents that I am dealing with are suggesting a nationwide conveyancing firm rather than a local Reading conveyancing firm?

As is the case with many service providers, often recommendations from connections can be very helpful. Yet there are lots of players in a conveyancing deal; estate agents, financial adviser and lenders may put forward lawyers to appoint. Sometimes these conveyancers might be known to one of the organisations as being good in their field, but occasionally there exists a financial incentive behind the endorsement. You have the right to appoint your preferred conveyancer. Don't forget that some mortgage providers specify a panel list of conveyancers you have to use for the mortgage related work in your home move.