We are buying our first house. The conveyancer has calledto enquire if we would like to take out extra conveyancing searches. Unfortunately we in the dark as to what's necessary for conveyancing in Silverstone

The extent of Silverstone conveyancing searches depends primarily on the property, the location, the possibility of any of these risks, your knowledge of the locality and risks, your general appetite to risk. What matters is that you properly appreciate what information the searches could provide. Then you can decide if you personally think you need that information. If in doubt, ask the solicitor to advise.

I am buying a garden flat in Silverstone. Can I do my own conveyancing?

Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing in Silverstone you will have to appoint a solicitor on your mortgage company's conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to be made in you doing conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on your lender panel in Silverstone.

When it comes to mortgage companies such as Principality, do Silverstone conveyancers face a yearly amount to be on the conveyancing panel?

We are unaware of any mortgage company fees to be on their list of approved firms, although some do levy an administration fee to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel submission.

I am currently in the process of buying my council flat in Silverstone. I have a mortgage offer with Yorkshire BS. Conveyancing is new to me. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have one. Any advice?

It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Yorkshire BS, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel.

After weeks of negotiation I have agreed a price on an apartment in Silverstone. My mortgage broker recommended their conveyancers. I paid an advanced payment of £225. Shortly after, the conveyancing practitioner contacted me to say that they were not on the Nottingham conveyancing panel. Am I right in thinking that I should be due a refund?

You should be able to recover this from the law firm if they were not on the Nottingham panel. They should have asked at the outset which lender you were obtaining a mortgage with. An important lesson to readers of this site is to check that the lawyers are on the appropriate lender panel.

How does conveyancing in Silverstone differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Silverstone approach us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is constructed. This is because builders in Silverstone usually acquire the real estate, 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 conveyancers 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 Silverstone or who has acted in the same development.

I am looking to buy a property and need a conveyancing solicitor in Silverstone who is on the bank conveyancing panel. Can you recommend a Silverstone or local Silverstone solicitor?

Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for the bank who carry out conveyancing in Silverstone. We dont recommend any particular solicitor.