How does conveyancing in Winchester differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in Winchester approach us having been asked by the housebuilder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is finished. This is because builders in Winchester tend to buy 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 used to new build conveyancing in Winchester or who has acted in the same development.

I decided to have a survey carried out on a house in Winchester in advance of retaining lawyers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold overhang to the property. Our surveyor has said that some mortgage companies tend refuse to issue a mortgage on this type of property.

It depends who your proposed lender is. Lloyds has different requirements for example to Halifax. Should you wish to telephone us we can look into this further via the appropriate lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Winchester. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Winchester to see if the conveyancing costs will increase in light of this.

I'm converting the mortgage on my primary property to a buy to let mortgage with Skipton Building Society and intend to use the remaining equity as a down payment on a second property. The location we are looking at is Winchester. Will your solicitors be able to act for the two banks and link together the two deals?

Make use of our search tool on this page to check that the solicitors are approved by both mortgage companies. Having checked that they are your conveyancer should be able to connect the two transactions but you should talk with you conveyancer and communicate your desired outcome and needs.

What are your top tips when it comes to choosing a Winchester conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?

If you are instructing a conveyancer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Winchester conveyancing practice) it is imperative that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We recommend that you talk with two or three firms including non Winchester conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then so much the better. The following questions could be helpful:

Can they put you in touch with clients in Winchester who can give a testimonial? How many lease extensions has the firm completed in Winchester in the last twenty four months?

I am the registered owner of a garden flat in Winchester, conveyancing formalities finalised half a dozen years ago. Can you let me have an estimate of the premium that my landlord can legally expect in return for granting a renewal of my lease? Corresponding flats in Winchester with over 90 years remaining are worth £202,000. The ground rent is £60 levied per year. The lease ceases on 21st October 2083

With 57 years unexpired we estimate the price of your lease extension to span between £28,500 and £33,000 plus plus your own and the landlord's "reasonable" professional fees.

The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we cannot give you the actual costs without more comprehensive investigations. You should not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be additional concerns that need to be taken into account and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not take any other action placing reliance on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.

How diverse are the property law services that Winchester conveyancing organisations provide?

For the most part Winchester conveyancing practices can supply various legal advice to home and land owners, sellers, first time buyers, landlords and leaseholders and you can expect them to help you with some of the following services:

House sale conveyancing in Winchester or throughout the rest of the country Private residential purchase conveyancing in Winchester and countrywide Disposal and purchase of shared ownership properties nationally not isolated to Winchester Tenancy and licence agreements Remortgage Conveyancing Resolving boundary disputes between neighbours