The owners of the property we are hoping to buy have instructed a conveyancing firm in Aintree who has insisted on a lock out agreement with a down payment 10k. Is it wise to enter into such agreements?
This kind of preliminary agreement isn't frequently used in Aintree, conveyancers are often inclined to direct clients away from them as they detract from the primary focus, namely conveyancing and if you end up losing your deposit then the solicitor at best left with an upset client and at worst a litigious one. Secondly, there is no guarantee that just because the seller has signed a lock out contract they will complete the sale with you. They may be in contravention of the agreement if they are offered a big enough incentive to do so because a wronged buyer with the benefit of a lockout agreement will still be obliged show losses as a consequence of the breach and this may not equate the extra amount that your seller may secure by reneging on the agreement, no matter how morally reprehensible the behaviour is.
Do I have to have a meeting at the offices of the solicitor to sign the legal charge? If so, I will instruct a firm who offer conveyancing in Aintree so that I can pop in to their offices when needed.
As opposed to 15 years ago, almost all banks no longer require their conveyancing panel lawyer to witness the mortgagors signature. It will still be necessary for you to supply identification documents and there are still manifest advantages to using a local solicitor, in your situation a conveyancing solicitor in Aintree.
I am intent on selling our house in Aintree and the buyers lawyers are claiming that there is a risk of it being built land that was not decontaminated. A high street Aintree conveyancer would know this is not the case. It does beg the question why the buyers are using a factory type conveyancing practice as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in Aintree. We have lived in Aintree for 4 years we know of no issue. Is it a good idea to contact our local Authority to obtain confirmation that the buyers are looking for.
It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing solicitor currently acting for you. What do they say? You must enquire of 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 illness)
How does conveyancing in Aintree differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build premises in Aintree contact us having been asked by the seller to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is ready to move into. This is because developers in Aintree usually purchase the site, 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 Aintree or who has acted in the same development.
I opted to have a survey carried out on a house in Aintree before instructing lawyers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold overhang to the property. The surveyor advised that some lenders tend not issue a loan on a flying freehold home.
It depends who your proposed lender is. HSBC has different instructions from Halifax. Should you wish to call us we can look into this further with the appropriate lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Aintree. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
As co-executor for the estate of my uncle I am selling a property in Monmouth but I am based in Aintree. My solicitor (who is 235 kilometers from meneeds me to sign a statutory declaration ahead of completion. Could you suggest a conveyancing solicitor in Aintree who can attest this legal document for me?
strictly speaking you are unlikely to be required to have the documents witnessed by a conveyancing solicitor. Normally any notary public or qualified solicitor will suffice regardless of whether they are Aintree based