It is 10 years ago since I bought my property in Winslow. Conveyancing solicitors have just been retained on the sale but I am unable to find my deeds. Is this a major issue?
You need not be too concerned. First there is a chance that the deeds will be kept by your lender or they may stored with the lawyers who handled the purchase. Secondly the chances are that the property will be recorded at the land registry and you will be able to prove you are the registered owner by your conveyancing lawyers obtaining up to date copy of the land registers. Nearly all conveyancing in Winslow relates to registered property but in the rare situation where your home is unregistered it is more problematic but is resolvable.
I am in the process of refinancing my apartment in Winslow, does my lawyer have to be on the Kent Reliance Conveyancing panel?
There is nothing to stop you using your solicitor, but Kent Reliance will insist on their interests being represented by a firm on their conveyancing panel. There is greater potential for delays and confusion with an additional lawyer added to the mix, and it will undoubtedly be more expensive too.
Various internet forums that I have visited warn that are the number one cause of stalling in Winslow conveyancing transactions. Is this right?
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) released conclusions of a review by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not figure amongst the top 10 causes of hindrances in the conveyancing process. Searches are not likely to feature in any delay in conveyancing in Winslow.
Me and my brother own a terraced Victorian property in Winslow. Conveyancing solicitor represented me and Clydesdale. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and there are a couple of entries: one for freehold, the second leasehold with the matching address. Is it worth asking Clydesdale to clarify?
You should read the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register for mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Winslow and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they sell they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with buyers. You can also enquire as to the position with the conveyancing solicitor who conducted the conveyancing.
How does conveyancing in Winslow differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build residence in Winslow come to us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is built. This is because new home sellers in Winslow typically acquire the land, 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 conveyancing solicitors 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 Winslow or who has acted in the same development.