Make Moving House Speedy by Working with Your Solicitor

With the help of a solicitor, the process of buying or selling a home can be made much smoother and quicker, helping you to avoid any potential pitfalls along the way. As soon as you start thinking about selling up or buying somewhere new, get in contact with your solicitor and let them know – they’ll be able to give you advice on all the legal steps you’ll need to take, allowing you to get ahead of the game. If you don’t have a solicitor, look for an established local firm that is a member of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme – this accreditation is a mark of excellence and assures that your property solicitor will provide you with the highest standard of service.

What Can Your Solicitor Do For You?

When you’re selling or buying property, your solicitor can help avoid delays and keep track of your transaction at every step of the way:

• Your solicitor can outline all the different costs and fees you may need to pay, such as stamp duty, Land Registry fees, and VAT, allowing you to budget realistically for your move;
• Let your solicitor deal with mortgage issues, title checks, searches and deeds while you focus on the practicalities of moving house;
• A good solicitor will liaise with property agents and buyer/seller solicitors to ensure you are getting the best deal for your money and keep your transaction moving swiftly;
• Advice on appointing a surveyor;
• If you choose a local firm, you can also save time and postage costs by dropping off and picking up documents whenever there’s something that needs to be signed;
• A solicitor is essential for negotiating,  signing, and exchanging property contracts  – this is the point where most sales fall through, but a reliable solicitor will help you to make a swift and easy transaction;
• By picking a local solicitor, you have the added benefit of their experience of house prices and transactions in the area, which may help you get a great price and a fast move!

What Does Your Solicitor Need From You? 

Help speed up your house move by providing your solicitor with the right details and documents – keeping on top of all the admin and legal processes is the best way to avoid delays. The information your solicitor needs may include:

• The price of the property you are hoping to buy or sell
• Any pertinent information relating to the property that could impede/speed up the transaction
• A copy of the energy performance certificate (EPC) for the property if applicable
• Personal identification
• Whether you are buying a property with anyone else
• Details of any buyer/seller chain
• How you plan on paying for a new property
• Mortgage details if applicable
• Any restrictions or preferences for when you want to sell/buy (eg: during the school holidays)
• Any prospective work you have planned for a new property

And once you’ve completed your sale/purchase and settled into your new home, it’s a good idea to update or draw up your will to include your new property. If you’ve bought a home with someone you’re not married to then a ‘deed of trust’ can be a useful document which sets out how you are dividing the share of the property between you.  Your solicitor will be able to help you with either or both of these important documents, and is best placed to do so if they’ve worked with you on your property purchase!

If you’re based in the Thames Valley and thinking of buying or selling property this year, get in touch with Frances Lindsay & Co for expert advice and legal services. We are members of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme and are experienced in property and conveyancing across Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.