We are a couple about to exchange contracts for a ground floor flat in East Twickenham. We have hit a problem. The mortgage offer with Skipton Building Society runs out on 23/4/2025 but the vendors are putting forward a completion date of 25/4/2025. Can one prolong the mortgage expiry date?
The best person to address this question is your conveyancer who is in a position to calculate if they should be discussing with the mortgage broker, vendor’s lawyers, selling agents or possibly all three given the history of your house move to date.
Why do I have to pay up front for my conveyancing in East Twickenham?
Where you are retaining lawyers for conveyancing in East Twickenham your solicitor will request that you to provide them with funds to cover the the cost of the conveyancing searches. Ordinarily this is requested to cover the fees of the conveyancing searches. When the deposit is payable against the total price then this will be required immediately before contracts are exchanged. The closing balance that is due should be transferred a few days ahead of the day of completion.
I used Stirling Law several years ago for my conveyancing in East Twickenham. I now require my file but the law firm is no longer operating. What do I do?
You should contact the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracking down 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 East Twickenham of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously instructed, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.
How does conveyancing in East Twickenham differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in East Twickenham contact us having been asked by the developer to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is built. This is because new home sellers in East Twickenham usually 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 East Twickenham or who has acted in the same development.
Do I need to be wary that brokers that I am dealing with are recommending an internet conveyancing firm rather than a High Street East Twickenham conveyancing company?
As is the case with lots of professional services, often referrals from family and friends can be worth their weight in gold. But there are many parties with a vested interest in a conveyancing deal; estate agents, mortgage brokers and banks might all put forward lawyers to select. On occasion the solicitors might be known to one of the organisations as one of the best in their field, but occasionally there is an underlying commercial relationship behind the recommendation. You have the right to select your own lawyer. Don't forget that most mortgage providers specify a panel list of lawyers you are obliged to use for the lender related work in your home move.
Is it best to choose a East Twickenham conveyancing lawyer based in the vicinity that I am hoping to buy? An old friend can deal with the conveyancing however her office is approximately 350kilometers drive away.
The primary upside of using a local East Twickenham conveyancing practice is that you can drop in to sign paperwork, present your identification documents and apply pressure on them where appropriate. Having local East Twickenham know how is a benefit. However it's more important to get someone that will do a good and efficient job. If other friends have used your friend and they were happy that must trump using an unknown East Twickenham conveyancing solicitor just because they are based in the area.