TOP TIPS WHEN BUYING OR SELLING A PROPERTY

A conveyancing transaction is often the biggest transaction of your life. It can be a stressful time and it is important to choose the right Law Firm to act for you. Here are some suggestions on how to make your transaction move as swiftly as possible.

Choose the right Estate Agent

A good estate agent is important, when buying or selling a house, given that they can speak to everyone in the chain. Their ability to communicate with all parties helps to ensure that the transaction proceeds swiftly.

We at francis george, solicitor-advocate are independent of all Estate Agents and there are no hidden referral fees. We can help you choose a good local estate agent in Swindon or Witney that is right for your move.

Choose the right Law Firm

A Law Firm with local knowledge is key. We at francis george, solicitor-advocate have been established for 12 years and have developed a trustworthy and reliable Conveyancing department dealing with Residential Property, Commercial Property and Leases.

We are also proud to have received the Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation which recognises the standard and quality of the Firms conveyancing practices. You can make a difference in the time scales by instructing a Conveyancer as early as possible.

Does the transaction involve a Freehold or a Leasehold

It is important to bear in mind that a Leasehold property requires a lot of additional legal information. This is because there is often a Management Company that collects rent and service charges. They often prepare a ‘Legal Pack’ which must be requested. By having this information available at the outset, you could reduce the length of the transaction.

Code of conduct

All Solicitors must follow a strict code of conduct. You may often think that there is a quicker way’ but you should remain conscious of the fact that the steps that your Solicitor will take are designed to protect you.

Conveyancing process

Ask us for a copy of our easy to follow Conveyancing Flowchart which will help you to understand the stages involved in a Conveyancing transaction. Some of the things you can do to make the transaction proceed swiftly are as follows:

• ID documents

Present your identity documents (usually a passport or official photographic identity document) to your Conveyancer as soon as possible to ensure that they can proceed with the transaction quickly.

• Monies on account

Paying monies on account will allow your Conveyancer to apply for searches and/or obtain Title Deeds from the Land Registry which will reduce delays in the transaction.

• Sign and return documents as soon as possible

Your Conveyancer will inevitably ask you questions and/or seek your instructions. Ultimately it is for your Conveyancer to advise you on your options which will then allow you to make a decision and provide instructions. Responding to your Conveyancer quickly will help ensure that your Conveyancer can proceed with matters.

• Completion Dates

Inform your Conveyancer of any dates when you cannot complete your transaction so that they can relay the information to the rest of the chain at the outset. This will assist in agreeing a date that suits everyone. Use your resources. An Estate Agent can often help negotiating dates within the chain.

• Completion Monies  

Send completion monies preferably by internet banking. Your Conveyancer will retain the sums in the designated client account that they have created solely for your transaction. It is essential to ensure that your Conveyancer has cleared funds at least the day before completion.

• Ready to Move

When selling a property you should ensure that you have vacated the property by 12:00 pm and ensure that it is left in a tidy condition.  This is a contractual term and failing to do so could result in a claim being made against you.