We have rather brash vendors who has recommended a preliminary contract with a deposit two thousand pounds. Is it wise to enter into such agreements?
This form of preliminary agreement is unusual in Crawley, conveyancers are often inclined to direct clients away from them as they detract from focusing on the main conveyancing focus and if you end up losing your deposit then the lawyer is left exposed. In addition, there is no assurance that just because the vendor has executed a lock out contract they will sell to you. They may be in contravention of the contract if they are offered a large enough financial inducement to do so because a wronged purchaser with the benefit of a exclusivity 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 gain by reneging on the contract, however morally reprehensible the behaviour is.
When scouring consumer advice sites for a conveyancing lawyer in Crawley, most say that I must use a CQS kitemarked lawyer. Can you explain what CQS is?
Crawley Conveyancing Quality Scheme practices have achieved certification under the Law Society's Scheme (CQS) The Law Society created CQS to promote high standards in the in the legal transfer of properties. CQS helps buyers and sellers to recognise solicitor firms who provide a quality residential conveyancing. Crawley is one of the many areas in England and Wales in which CQS have a presence. The scheme requires law firms to undergo a strict assessment, compulsory training, self-reporting, spot checks and yearly assessments in order to maintain CQS status. It is available to solicitors and not licensed conveyancers and has the support of the Building Societies Association.
I need some quick conveyancing in Crawley as I am faced with an ultimatum to complete within one month. Thankfully I do not require a mortgage. Can I avoid the conveyancing searches to save fees and time?
As you are are a mortgage free buyer you have the choice not to do searches although no conveyancer would advise that you don't. With plenty of history conveyancing in Crawley the following are examples of what can arise and therefore affect future saleability: Refused Planning Applications, Overdue Charges, Outstanding Grants, Road Schemes,...
I used Arc property Solicitors several years ago for my conveyancing in Crawley. Now, I need my documents but the law firm has closed. What do I do?
Do contact the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to help locate your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Crawley of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously hired, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.
I am purchasing a new build house in Crawley with a mortgage from Skipton Building Society. The builders would not budge the price so I negotiated 6k of fixtures and fittings instead. The house builders rep advised me not reveal to my solicitor about the extras as it would adversely affect my loan with the lender. Do I keep my lawyer in the dark?.
All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the developer of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.
Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.
Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.
We have today had a bid accepted on our 1st house in Crawley, and are about to get solicitors instructed. I have made use of the numerous rating based websites and the results are from all across the country. Is it critical to have a Crawley lawyer local to our potential new home? I am content to do all the communicating over email, but I guess at some point we may be required to visit the lawyer's office to sign documents?
The conveyancer does not need to be in Crawley, but opting for local means that you have the option to attend their offices if you need to, for instance, if a signature is needed urgently. Furthermore, a Crawley solicitor is likely to be familiar with local agents and (if the vendor has instructed a local lawyer) with them, which will help keep things moving faster.