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Conveyancing Solicitors

Buying or selling your home is one of the most expensive transactions you will ever undertake, so you must be sure that your conveyancer can get the job done efficiently and cost-effectively. We can offer you the specialist service you are searching for.

At Whiskers Solicitors, our residential property solicitors have skilfully handled hundreds of property sales and purchases on behalf of individuals, couples and families across Harlow and Epping, Essex and Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire.

We understand what makes a conveyancing experience great (or at least less difficult than it could be). We dedicate ourselves to providing reliable advice, the swiftest possible turnaround of your documents and searches, and a proactive approach throughout.

To speak with one of our conveyancing solicitors in Harlow, Epping and Bishop’s Stortford or to request a quote, email quotes@whiskers.co.uk or get in touch with:

How our conveyancing solicitors can help you

We are property specialists and members of the Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme for our practical experience and excellent customer service.

When you instruct us, you can trust us to progress your transaction as quickly and efficiently as possible, with precise attention to detail throughout. Our expertise covers all aspects of conveyancing, including:

  • Buying a property
  • Selling a property
  • Advice about freeholds and leaseholds
  • Buying a new build, including Help to Buy and Shared Ownership advice
  • Buy to let conveyancing and property investment
  • Mortgages and remortgaging
  • Cohabitation advice, including Deeds of Trust
  • Stamp Duty Land Tax advice
  • Capital Gains Tax advice (for second properties, buy to lets, and holiday homes)

What is conveyancing?

Conveyancing is the process of transferring ownership of one property to someone else. Our residential property solicitors can handle the entire conveyancing process on your behalf, including:

  • Liaising with the other side and their solicitors
  • Liaising with your mortgage lender
  • Conducting searches, making enquiries, preparing report on title and providing advice on the details of your proposed transaction
  • Drafting and/or reviewing the sale and purchase contract
  • Handling the Land Registry documents and applications to register the transaction
  • Ensuring monies are transferred promptly so the transaction completes on time
  • Dealing with Stamp Duty and filing your HMRC tax return

The conveyancing process

The basic conveyancing process has three main stages:

  • Offer and acceptance
  • Exchange of contracts
  • Completion

Offer and acceptance is of course when a buyer makes an offer to purchase a property and the seller accepts this offer.

The time between offer and acceptance and exchange is when the buyer and their solicitors:

  • Conduct searches to check the suitability of the property
  • Makes enquiries with the seller about the property
  • Sort out their mortgage and arrange any surveys

During this time, the transaction is not legally binding and either the buyer or seller can back out at any point.

Exchange of contracts happens once both the buyer and seller are happy to proceed with the transaction. Once contracts are signed and exchanged and the buyer has paid the deposit, the transaction becomes legally binding and neither side can back out without incurring penalties.

Completion usually occurs a few weeks after exchange. This is when the transaction finalises and ownership of the property officially transfers from the seller to the buyer.

How long does conveyancing take?

Every transaction is different, but a straightforward sale or purchase where there is no chain or conveyancing issues usually takes around 6-8 weeks from offer to acceptance.

However, for a more accurate time estimate of how long your transaction could take, please get in touch.

What searches are involved in conveyancing?

Searches are required when you are buying a home. It describes our investigations into the property and the surrounding area. There are many searches you can undertake – some mandatory, and some optional, depending on factors like the location of the property and any previous known uses of the land. Some of the searches we do include:

  • Local authority searches – to reveal details like local planning approvals, tree preservation orders, local access to the property, traffic schemes and whether the property is in a conservation area.
  • Drainage and water searches – to reveal details about public sewers, the location of the public water mains, whether the property is connected and other related matters
  • Environmental searches – to check for potential issues such as radon gas, coal mining activity, land contamination and development restrictions
  • Land Registry searches – to review the title to the property, the title plan and the seller’s legal authority to sell.

Why choose our conveyancing solicitors?

We are a team of dependable, local lawyers based in Harlow and Epping, Essex and Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire. Here are just a few of the reasons our clients choose us to help them buy or sell their home:

  • Accredited expertise – we are members of the Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme for our high standards of advice and customer care. This Accreditation signifies our consistent ability to produce positive outcomes and protect our clients’ best interests.
  • Dedicated, personal service – you will be allocated a personal conveyancing solicitor who will be responsible for the day-to-day management of your case. Your lawyer will ensure the transaction is progressing as smoothly and swiftly as possible as well as checking all legal documents are completed promptly and accurately.
  • Responsive and proactive – your personal lawyer will be your first point of contact if you have any questions or concerns about your case. We will provide regular updates throughout your case and will respond to all correspondence promptly and informatively. We understand that the conveyancing process can be frustrating with lots of waiting around for searches, reports and enquiries. We work proactively to ensure all tasks required on our end are completed as speedily as possible and we will consistently chase other parties to keep the transaction moving.
  • Flexible payment options – we can offer fixed fee conveyancing to the vast majority of our clients. We will clearly explain all our fees and other costs you could encounter in your initial quote so you know exactly how much your transaction will cost and where your money is being spent. Get in touch today for a fixed fee conveyancing
  • Welcoming, inclusive environment – we aim to make our legal services as accessible as possible for every individual who comes through our door. So, if you have any disabilities or individual accessibility needs, please do not hesitate to get in touch for a confidential conversation with a member of our team.

Get in touch with our expert conveyancing solicitors in Harlow, Epping and Bishop’s Stortford

To speak with one of our conveyancing solicitors in Harlow, Epping and Bishop’s Stortford or to request a quote, email quotes@whiskers.co.uk or get in touch with:

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