Your Questions
Your Residential Property Questions Answered
The Attwaters Jameson Hill Residential Property Team is committed to providing an exceptional service to all our clients. The following are popular questions asked by our clients in relation to the conveyancing process – especially first-time clients.
You can go to our How We Can Help page for a more detailed understanding of what you can expect in each of the following processes:
- Property sale & purchase
- Remortgage & secured lending
- Buy-to-let (sale & purchase)
- Auctions (sale & purchase)
- Shared ownership/New Build HomeBuy Schemes
- Staircasing
- Right to buy council property
- Transfer of Equity
- Equity Release
- Lease extensions & freehold purchase
- Armed Forces property – Help-to-Buy Scheme
“How long does a normal conveyancing transaction take?”
An average conveyancing transaction takes anywhere between 12 to 16 weeks to complete. We have sold and purchased properties in the past within a much shorter timescale (even 48 hours of receipt of instructions!).
If there are no problems and no chain, exchange is about 2 – 3 weeks from the buyer’s solicitor receiving the contract. Completion is usually about 2 weeks after exchange. Please bear in mind that if you are part of a chain of transactions, the chain will only move at the speed of the slowest link. This could prolong the process.
“Do I need to come and see you?”
In the majority of circumstances it is not necessary for us to see you in person. All issues can be dealt with by correspondence either by letter, email or by telephone. The distance between you and us is of no relevance in relation to your property transaction.
We like to meet our clients whenever we can… so you’re more than welcome to visit our offices in Harlow, Hertford, Ware and Loughton.
“Will I be able to speak to my conveyancer whenever I need to?”
The Attwaters Jameson Hill Residential Property Team prides itself on being available for you to speak to during normal working hours. The response time for returning calls in relation to messages left is swift. You will have many points of contact available to you at any time that you decide to call.
“Do I need a survey?”
Yes is the simple answer. If you are having a mortgage, the mortgage company will carry out a survey or valuation. This will not be very detailed and you may not even see it. A Home Buyer’s Report or a structural survey is advisable. In fact most people do not do this but it is “buyer beware” and if you buy a house with a problem, it will be difficult to hold the seller responsible.
“Why is conveyancing for leasehold properties more expensive?”
In short, leasehold conveyancing transactions usually involve more work than freehold conveyancing transactions. This includes lease investigation, liaising with the landlord about serving appropriate notices, obtaining up-to-date service charge and management information, obtaining the landlord’s consents and reviewing management accounts.
The obligations on both the landlord and the tenant in the lease need to be studied by the buyer’s conveyancing team and read from start to finish – no matter how many different owners have owned the lease since it was first granted.
At all times, we will provide a personal service to take care of you with clear, speedy and proactive communication.
