A relative advised me that in buying a property in Old Coulsdon there could be a number of restrictions preventing external alterations to the property. Is this right?

There are anumerous of properties in Old Coulsdon which have some sort of restriction or requirement of consent to carry out external alterations. Part of the conveyancing in Old Coulsdon should determine what restrictions are applicable and advising you as part of a ROT that should be sent to you.

When it comes to lenders such as , do Old Coulsdon have to pay a fee to be on the list of approved solicitors?

We are not aware of any lender fees to be on their panel, although some do levy an administration fee to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel application.

My husband and I are in the throws of looking at flats in Old Coulsdon and I am now considering a potential offer. Should I already have a in place at this point? I am planning to take a home loan with .

You should start requesting conveyancing quotes from solicitors ASAP. After you have chosen your lawyer and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and forward their details on to the selling agent. As you are obtaining a mortgage with , make sure you remember to check that your lawyer is on the conveyancing panel.

Will our lawyer be asking questions concerning flooding as part of the conveyancing in Old Coulsdon.

Flooding is a growing risk for solicitors specialising in conveyancing in Old Coulsdon. There are those who buy a property in Old Coulsdon, fully aware that at some time, it may suffer from flooding. However, aside from the physical destruction, if a property is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to obtain a mortgage, satisfactory insurance cover, or dispose of the premises. Steps can be carried out during the course of a house purchase to forewarn the purchaser.

Solicitors are not qualified to give advice on flood risk, however there are a number of searches that can be undertaken by the purchaser or on a buyer’s behalf which can give them a better appreciation of the risks in Old Coulsdon. The standard information supplied to a buyer’s lawyer (where the solicitors are adopting what is known as the Conveyancing Protocol) contains a standard inquiry of the seller to find out whether the premises has ever been flooded. If flooding has previously occurred which is not disclosed by the owner, then a purchaser may issue a legal claim for losses resulting from an incorrect reply. The purchaser’s conveyancers will also commission an enviro search. This will indicate if there is any known flood risk. If so, additional inquiries will need to be initiated.

How does conveyancing in Old Coulsdon differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build residence in Old Coulsdon approach us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is finished. This is because house builders in Old Coulsdon typically 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 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 Old Coulsdon or who has acted in the same development.

I have been recommended by a few selling agents in Old Coulsdon to get a quote from a solicitor using your seach tool. What’s the financial advantage for Estate Agents to offer your site over another?

We don’t make any financial incentive for sending work to this site. We found it would be just too difficult to pay a commission because a client could think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I getting any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.

Is it best to appoint a Old Coulsdon conveyancing practitioner based in the area that I am hoping to buy? An old friend can carry out the legal formalities but they are based over three hundred kilometers away.

The benefit of a local Old Coulsdon conveyancing practice is that you can pop in to execute documents, present your ID and pester them where appropriate. They will also have local insight which is a benefit. However it's more important to get someone that will do a good and efficient job. If if people you trust instructed your friend and the majority were happy that should surpass using an unfamiliar Old Coulsdon conveyancing solicitor just because they are Old Coulsdon based.