I'm in the process of switching my current homeowner mortgage to a Buy to Let Godiva Mortgages Ltd mortgage. I have been informed by my broker that I must appoint a lawyer for this. I spoke to my previous Rochester conveyancing solicitor who acted on my behalf when I originally bought the premises. The costs illustration issued of just over five hundred pounds has surprised me as I am not require purchase conveyancing - it’s just a bog-standard refinance.
The estimate does seem a tad overpriced. If you are happy to invest time comparing quotes you may be able to shave off some of the expense by perhaps £100 plus VAT. That being said, assuming were content with the legal work the firm offered you maylive to regret choosing an an untested solicitor. Remember to be sure the firm can also act for Godiva Mortgages Ltd. You can utilise our search tool to select a Rochester conveyancing firm on the Godiva Mortgages Ltd approved list of lawyers, which can often include conveyancing solicitors in Rochester.
I purchased a freehold residence in Rochester yet charged rent, why is this and what is this?
It is rare for properties in Rochester and has limited impact for conveyancing in Rochester but some freehold properties in England (particularly common in North West England) pay an annual sum known as a Chief Rent or a Rentcharge to a third party who has no other legal interest in the land.
Rentcharge payments are usually between £2.00 and £5.00 per year. Rentcharges date back hundreds of years, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the generation of new rentcharges post 1977.
Old rentcharges can now be extinguished by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence post 2037 is to be extinguished.
I have recentlybecome aware that Action Conveyancing have closed. They conducted my conveyancing in Rochester for a purchase of a leasehold apartment 9 months ago. How can I establish that my home is not still registered in the name of the previous owner?
The easiest way to see if the premises is registered to you, you can make a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of Rochester conveyancing specialists.
How does conveyancing in Rochester differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build property in Rochester approach us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is ready to move into. This is because builders in Rochester typically acquire 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 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 Rochester or who has acted in the same development.
I was advised by a number of property agents in Rochester to select a conveyancer using your seach tool. What’s the financial advantage for Estate Agents to market your services rather than a competitor’s?
We refuse to make any commission for pointing buyers and sellers in our direction. We thought it would be too underhand a fee because a client could think, ‘How come the agent getting a kickback? Why am I not receiving any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.
We're novice buyers - had an offer accepted, but the property agent advised that the owners will only proceed if we use the agent's recommended solicitors as they want an ‘expedited deal’. We would rather use a family conveyancer with experience of conveyancing in Rochester
It is unlikely the sellers are behind this. If they want ‘a quick sale', turning down a serious buyer is likely to cause more damage than good. Speak to the vendors direct and explain that (a)you are serious purchasers (b)you are excited to move forward, with mortgage lined up © you do not need to sell (d) you intend to proceed fast (e)however you will continue to use your own,trusted Rochester conveyancing lawyers - as opposed tothe ones that will provide the estate agent a commission or hit his conveyancing figures demanded by senior management.