Buying a house is one of the biggest financial commitments you’ll ever make, so it’s essential to have the right legal support throughout the process. A solicitor usually handles the legal aspects of the purchase, known as conveyancing, ensuring that everything runs smoothly.
But what should you ask your solicitor before proceeding? Asking the right questions before embarking on the conveyancing process can save you time, money and stress. A good solicitor will happily answer any questions you might have, putting your mind at rest and giving you confidence in your property purchase. Here are 10 crucial ones to pop on your list before you buy a house.
1, Who will I be dealing with during the conveyancing process?
Identify your main point of contact from the start. This will be the person who’ll handle your case from beginning to end and give you updates. Check who to direct any further questions towards, and find out their preferred method of communication if you need to contact them with queries.
2, How often will I receive updates on the process?
Establish the expected level of communication at the outset. There are certain points during the process of buying a house when you’ll naturally hear less from your solicitor than others, and this doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem or that the purchase isn’t progressing. Knowing what to expect will give you confidence in your solicitor.
3, Do you use an online portal for submitting and signing documents?
Some solicitors operate predominantly online, using online platforms and portals that allow you to upload and download documents. Others will send all correspondence by post, and expect documents to be posted back to them. It’s a good idea to find out how your solicitor works to make sure you’re happy with their preferred processes.
4, How does the conveyancing process work?
There are many different steps involved in the legal transfer of property ownership from the seller to the buyer. Ask your solicitor to outline the key stages, including searches, exchange of contracts and completion, so you understand what to expect and how long each step might take.
5, What are your fees and what’s included?
Solicitors’ fees vary so it’s important to ask for a full breakdown of costs after you get your conveyancing estimate. Make sure you know what’s included – such as searches, stamp duty filing, and bank transfer fees – so there are no hidden surprises.
6, What are the other costs of buying a house?
As well as legal fees, there are other costs involved in buying a house, which can include:
● Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)
● Search fees
● Land Registry fees
● Mortgage and valuation fees
Not all these costs are always applicable, so ask which ones you should be factoring in.
7, When do I need to pay conveyancing fees?
Find out when you’ll be expected to pay your legal bill. This might happen when you exchange contracts, or when you complete the purchase and collect the keys. Check whether this is payable in one lump sum, or in installments, so you’re prepared in advance.
8, How long will conveyancing take?
On average, conveyancing takes 12-16 weeks, but timescales vary depending on various factors like the size of the chain, speed of mortgage approvals, issues that might arise during searches and the efficiency of other solicitors involved in the process, such as those representing the seller. Ask your solicitor for a realistic timeline so you can plan accordingly, but be prepared for this to change.
9, What searches do you recommend and why?
Searches help uncover potential issues with the property, such as flood risks, planning restrictions or environmental concerns. Your solicitor should explain which searches are necessary based on the property’s location and history.
10, What happens if the sale falls through?
It’s important to ask what you might need to pay should your purchase fall through. Some conveyancing solicitors have a ‘no sale, no fee’ policy, but you should check what that means in reality as there may still be costs you have to pay.
Get an instant conveyancing estimate from the experts at Batt Broadbent.