Residential Conveyancing Solicitors Near Me

Find expert residential conveyancing solicitors near me

Finding the right conveyancers for a home move gives you the best chance of a successful transaction. Your solicitor will not only deal with the legal aspects of your transaction, making sure the legal title is sound and that your investment is safe, but should also actively drive your sale or purchase forwards, reducing the risk that it will fall through. If you are wondering where to find residential conveyancing solicitors near me, we can help. We have offices in Beverley, Hull and York and deal with conveyancing in East Yorkshire and beyond.

We have many years of experience in the conveyancing sector and have the know-how to deal with complex legal issues efficiently, giving you the best chance of a successful sale or purchase.

If you are considering moving home and you would like to speak to us, ring for a FREE initial chat on 01482 300 200, email us at welcome@lockings.co.uk or fill in our Free Online Enquiry and we will call you back promptly.

Do I need to use conveyancing solicitors near me?

You may feel more comfortable having local conveyancing solicitors that you can visit to drop in paperwork or fill in forms. We are always happy to see clients in our offices, but we also offer an online portal and remote conveyancing service for those who prefer to deal with matters without having to come into the office.

Our secure portal is easy to use and lets you know what you need to do next, such as providing identification or filling in the information we need from you.

This is a very efficient way of dealing with your sale or purchase and gives you the opportunity to do the things you need to do at a time that is convenient to you.

Our conveyancing services

We deal with a full range of conveyancing transactions, including:

Buying a house
Selling a house
Buying a new build
Buying a flat or leasehold property
Selling a flat or leasehold property
Re-mortgages
Property transfers
Buying an investment property
Selling an investment property
Probate property sales

We understand how stressful moving can be and we will always do all we can to support and guide you through the process.

We are accredited by the Conveyancing Quality Scheme, a recognised quality standard that acknowledges both our legal expertise in providing conveyancing advice and our use of standardised processes to reduce risk.

Conveyancing costs

We will make sure that you have a clear idea of the costs of your transaction from the outset so that you can budget accordingly. If you are buying a property, you may need to pay Stamp Duty and we will calculate that and advise you of the amount payable.

If you would like a quote, please give us a ring. You can also download our free conveyancing fees guide which provides more information.

Conveyancing FAQs

We will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Replies to some of the most commonly asked questions are below:

How long does conveyancing take?

The length of time taken to complete a conveyancing transaction can vary widely but on average is between 8 and 12 weeks with flats usually taking longer than houses. If there is a chain, then everyone in the chain will need to be ready before contracts can be exchanged. Common delays include awaiting mortgage offers, problems with the legal title, missing paperwork, hold-ups in receiving search results and issues revealed on surveys.

We always work proactively to move a transaction along without avoidable delays. We will keep in touch with your buyer’s or seller’s solicitor and prompt them to respond if necessary. Your estate agent will also be able to make calls to ensure other parties are focused on moving matters forwards.

How can I prevent my sale or purchase from falling through?

Transactions can fall through if problems arise or if parties feel that no proper progress is being made. Our experience means that we know how to deal with legal difficulties efficiently. We have a strong track record of success in completing sales and purchases for our clients because we constantly stay on top of the situation and work to ensure that issues are addressed effectively.

Communication can be key if problems arise and we will ensure that your seller’s or buyer’s solicitors know what steps we are taking to resolve matters.

What happens if my survey reveals a problem with the property?

If your survey reveals a problem with the property you are hoping to buy, you will need to decide whether it is something you are prepared to deal with. If so, you can ask the estate agent whether the seller is willing to make an allowance to enable you to pay for work to be done to rectify the situation.

If they are, then you can arrange for experts to provide quotes and use these as a basis for your negotiations. The seller may be prepared to agree to this as another buyer is likely to come across the same issues when they have their survey carried out.

When should I instruct a solicitor in a house purchase or sale?

If you would like us to represent you, you can contact us as soon as you decide to buy or sell. This will give us the opportunity to do the necessary preliminary checks and provide you with the initial paperwork so that we are ready to go as soon as you have a sale or purchase arranged.

We will need to verify your identity and if you are selling a property, we can also let you have property information and fixtures and fittings forms to complete. This means that we will be able to issue contract papers to your buyer’s solicitor as soon as you accept an offer. This in turn will allow them to apply for searches promptly, reducing the risk of delays.

What searches are needed on a house purchase?

A range of searches will be required if you are buying a property to check that your investment is sound and that there are no issues that you should be aware of.

A local search will reveal information about points such as planning, plans for roads or development, enforcement notices and tree preservation orders.

Drainage and water enquiries will confirm whether the property is connected to the mains and may also give you information about the position of sewers and pipes.

An environmental search will highlight any potential sources of contamination and any known environmental contamination.

A flood report will provide information about flood history as well as a risk assessment.

You may also be advised to have other searches depending on the property you hope to buy and where it is situated. For example, if it is in a coal mining area then you will need to have a mining report.

Any issues of concern that are revealed on your searches will need to be reported to your mortgage lender so that they can confirm they are still happy to lend.

What are the first steps in buying a house?

If you will be obtaining a mortgage to finance your purchase, you are advised to ask your proposed lender for a mortgage offer in principle. This will allow them to carry out some preliminary work before you find a property to buy, meaning that they should be able to issue your offer more quickly once you find somewhere. It will also show sellers and estate agents that you are a serious buyer and that you are ready to proceed.