Am I correct in assuming that the fact that my conveyancer in Washington is not listed on my bank's solicitor panel that there is a problem with the quality of her conveyancing?
It would not be wise to jump to that conclusion. There are all sorts of perfectly plausible explanations. A recent report by the solicitors regulator revealed that over three quarters of law firms surveyed had been removed from at least one lender panel. The top 5 reasons are as follows: (1) low volume of transactions (2) the solicitor is a sole practitioner (3) as part of the HSBC panel reduction (4) regulatory contact by SRA (5) accidental removal. Should you be concerned you should contact the Washington conveyancing practice and ask them why they are no longer on the approved list for your mortgage company.
Would the conveyancing solicitors Indexed on your site conduct auction conveyancing in Washington?
There are a number of auction practitioners we can put you in touch with those specialising in auction conveyancing. Washington is one of the many locations in which our lawyers have a presence.
My lender has suggested solicitors on their panel based in Washington but I would rather instruct a conveyancing lawyer in Washington round the corner to me. Can you assist?
Far from all Washington conveyancing solicitors are listed all lender’s conveyancing panel. Do make use of the above search tool to identify a Washington conveyancing firm on the on the mortgage company panel.
I note that there are debates on Chancel Insurance on online forums. Do I need this when buying a property in Washington? or I am told that there is historic law that could mean that homeowners residing in a parish church boundary may be liable to pay for maintenance towards the chancel within the church. Is this a legitimate concern for conveyancing in Washington?
Unless a previous purchase of the property took place post 12 October 2013 you may take it that lawyers conducting conveyancing in Washington to continue to advocate a chancel search and or chancel repair liability policy.
How does conveyancing in Washington differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Washington come to us having been asked by the housebuilder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is ready to move into. This is because developers in Washington usually purchase 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 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 Washington or who has acted in the same development.
My husband and I are new on the property ladder - agreed a price, but the property agent told us that the seller will only go ahead if we appoint their chosen conveyancers as they need an ‘expedited deal’. Our preferred option is to instruct a local conveyancer accustomed to conveyancing in Washington
We suspect that the owner is unaware of this requirement. If they desire ‘a quick sale', turning down a genuine buyer is likely to cause more damage than good. Contact the owners directly and explain that (a)you are keen to buy (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 intend to instruct your own,trusted Washington conveyancing firm - not the ones that will provide the negotiator at the agency a introducer fee or achieve conveyancing targets pre-set by senior management.