I am considering remortgaging my flat in Sandy, does my lawyer have to be on the Nationwide Solicitor panel?
In theory, you could use a solicitor that is not on the Nationwide conveyancing panel, but Nationwide would require one of their panel solicitors to be instructed to act in their interests, and you'd have to pay for this - so most people instruct a panel solicitor. It's also easier, as otherwise you'd have to deal with two solicitors for the same transaction.
My partner and I are downsizing from our home in Sandy and according to the buyers it appears that there is a possibility that the property was constructed on contaminated land. Any local conveyancer would know this is not the case. It does beg the question why the buyers are using an online conveyancing practice rather than a conveyancing solicitor in Sandy. Having lived in Sandy for three years we know of no issue. Do we contact our local Authority to seek confirmation need.
It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing solicitor currently acting for you. What do they say? You should check with your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out life insurance to cover that same ailment)
3 months have gone by since my purchase conveyancing in Sandy completed. I have checked the Land Registry website which shows that I paid £150,000 when infact I paid £160,000. 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 asset 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 have been on the look out for a leasehold apartment up to £245,000 and identified one close by in Sandy I like with amenity areas and transport links nearby, the downside is that it only has 61 years unexpired on the lease. There is not much else in Sandy suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error purchasing a short lease?
If you need a home loan the remaining unexpired lease term will be a potential deal breaker. Reduce the offer by the expected lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing proprietor has owned the property for a minimum of 2 years you may request that they start the process of the extension and pass it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the existing lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing lawyer concerning this matter.
We're first time buyers - agreed a price, but the estate agent advised that the seller will only issue a contract if we use the agent's preferred lawyers as they are insisting on a ‘quick sale’. We would rather use a local solicitor with experience of conveyancing in Sandy
It is highly unlikely the owners are driving this. If they want ‘a quick sale', alienating a serious buyer is not the way to achieve this. Avoid the agents and go straight to the owners and make sure they comprehend that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are ready to progress, with finances in place © you do not need to sell (d) you wish to move quickly (e)but you will continue to use your own,trusted Sandy conveyancing firm - as opposed tothe ones that will provide the estate agent a introducer fee or meet his conveyancing thresholds demanded by corporate headquarters.