AssumingI was to acquire a freehold homein Woodside for cash and have no survey and no conveyancing searches how much could I expect to to save on my conveyancing in Woodside?
The sole reduction in fees you would achieve is the Woodside conveyancing searches. The conveyancer is required to do the vast majority of work - money laundering, correspond with your sellers solicitor, stamp duty submission, register the title etc. You might save a bit for them not having to register a mortgage however it won't be a lot.
How up to date is your database of Woodside solicitors on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel? Do Virgin Money send you an updated list?
Woodside conveyancing firms themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from Virgin Money directly.
I am considering applying for a Kent Reliance mortgage for purchase of a newly converted (under development) in Woodside with 70% loan to value. Is it compulsory to choose a solicitor on the conveyancing panel for Kent Reliance ?
There is nothing to stop you using your solicitor, but Kent Reliance will insist on their interests being represented by a firm on their conveyancing panel. There is much more potential for delays and confusion with two solicitors involved, and it will undoubtedly be more expensive too.
We are getting the release of further monies on our home loan from Nationwide as we want to conduct a loft conversion to our home in Woodside. Are we obliged to choose a bricks and mortar Woodside solicitor on the Nationwide conveyancing panel to handle the legals?
Nationwide do not ordinarily appoint firms on their approved list of lawyers to deal with such a matter. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the Nationwide conveyancing panel.
We were going to get a AIP from UBS this week so we can work out what to offer on a property we like as otherwise we only have online calculators to go by (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc). Do UBS recommend any Woodside solicitors on the UBS conveyancing panel, or is it better to go independently?
You will need to appoint Woodside solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the UBS conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and UBS through the process.
Our sealed bid on a property in Woodside has been agreed to, but there is a chain. The owners have offered on a property, but it’s not been accepted yet, and are looking at other apartments booked. I have selected a local conveyancing solicitor in Woodside. What should be my next step? When should I get the mortgage application with Coventry BS started?
It is normal to have anxieties where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to be too out of pocket prematurely (home loan application is in the region of £1k, then valuation, Woodside conveyancing search costs, etc). First, you should check that your conveyancer is on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel. Regarding the next steps this very much dictated by the specifics of your transaction, attraction to this property and on the state of the market. In a buoyant market many home buyers would apply for the mortgage with Coventry BS and arrange for the valuation and only if it comes back ok would they request their solicitor to proceed with searches.
A friend recommended that if I am buying in Woodside I should ask my conveyancer to carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?
This is a search is usually quoted for as part of the standard Woodside conveyancing searches. It is not a small document of more than thirty pages, listing and setting out important information about Woodside around the property and the people living there. It incorporates an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Woodside Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime statistics, Woodside Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data about Woodside.
I have been on the look out for a leasehold apartment up to £305k and found one round the corner in Woodside I like with a park and railway links nearby, the downside is that it's only got 49 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Woodside suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error acquiring a lease with such few years left?
If you need a mortgage the shortness of the lease may be an issue. Reduce the price by the amount the lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current proprietor has owned the premises for at least twenty four months you can request that they commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the current lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor regarding this matter.