We all know that moving or selling a house is a stressful and expensive time. As lawyers we’re here to help people through a lot of them. It’s understandable to think divorce and separation would be the most stressful thing life can throw at you, but research has shown that moving house is one of the biggest stressors in the modern world, even more stressful than divorce.

A lot goes into a move, from searching for the perfect new home, to lining up your mortgage, getting the chain to match up on either end, not to mention the endless packing.

Fortunately, we’re here to help make the process as smooth as possible as you’re buying, selling, or remortgaging a property, including assistance with conveyancing. But how much does conveyancing cost, and why exactly do you need it?

What Is Conveyancing?

Conveyancing describes the legal process of buying a property and transferring the ownership from one person to another.

You will need a conveyancing solicitor to help you with this process as it can be quite complex. Your solicitor will help make sure the process runs smoothly, check that you receive the correct deeds and lands for the property you’re buying. It’s important to hire a solicitor to guarantee that any legal issues are dealt with and that all information pertaining to your move is valid under the requirements of the law.

The Standard Conveyancing Process

Once you have appointed your conveyancing solicitor, it’s important to discuss with them the details of the house you are buying or selling. Some of the main duties and processes of your solicitor may include:

Checking all legal documents and answering any questions you have.
Checking for any future plans surrounding the house, such as flood risks or further building developments in the area (if you are buying).
Making sure that all contracts are correct and that they include key details such as fixtures, fittings, and contents.
Advise you on any extra costs there may be like land registry fees or deposits.
They will produce the documents needed and get them sent to the other party, they will then conduct any final checks that will need to be done and exchange contracts.
Finally, they will arrange the transfer of the land registry and organise the payment of any further fees. Your mortgage lender will then be forwarded the deeds.

By the end of the process, both parties (whether buying or selling) will have the completed contracts, as well as the up-to-date version of who actually legally owns the house now.

Depending on how complicated your move is, there might be other steps along the way, especially if there are any difficulties. However, these are the main steps to the standard process of conveyancing, and hopefully you won’t need to content with anything more complex. If you do run into difficulties, it’s vital to have a trained professional on-hand to help you navigate the process, and ensure and legal issues are handled swiftly and effectively.

Why Do I Need Help With Conveyancing?

As soon as you think you want to either buy or sell a property it’s a good idea to look at hiring a conveyancing solicitor. The sooner you do so, the better, so your lawyer can be updated through every step of the process and take control. An extremely knowledgeable solicitor can even help speed up the process.

Your solicitor will provide a direct support network for you, while clearly describing what each step in the process involves.

For example, a conveyancing solicitor will be able to explain fees like Stamp Duty, and help you ensure you don’t pay more than necessary. When it comes to legal matters it’s always best to get professional advice from a lawyer, rather than relying on advice from Google or friends outside the legal profession. Getting things wrong can leave you in a worse situation, meaning that your legal documents aren’t to the standard needed to adhere to legal requirements.

How Much Will Conveyancing Cost?

It’s important to get a quote from from a conveyancing solicitor before you commit to anything. On average in 2017, conveyancing costs were between £850 and £1,500. Each cost is separated into certain sections such as:

Estate agent fees
Valuation fees
Land registry fees

Some solicitors provide a a free conveyancing quote, which can help you understand and reduce your costs.

How To Find A Good Conveyancing Solicitor?

Sometimes it can be hard to find a solicitor who perfectly suit your needs for the particular house you want to buy or sell. Three main things to look for would be experience, knowledge, and reliability.

If you can find these three key qualities you will be able to trust your solicitor knows the area they are dealing with, and is capable of handling your case in a professional, expedient, and helpful manner.

At Beeston Shenton, we care about your needs and are here to help in aiding with the sale or purchase of your land or property. Our experience in conveyancing and have represented thousands of clients within property transactions. We use our extensive local knowledge to provide expert advice and help you manage any problems that arise. Get in touch today for more information and help with conveyancing…