Holdens Law Your Local Conveyancing Solicitors

Moving house is an exciting time, whether you are buying your first home, selling and buying simultaneously as you move up the property ladder, or buying or selling for any other reason.

Here at Holdens Law, your local conveyancing solicitors in Lancaster and Kendal, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our experienced team will work hard to make your property transaction as swift and as smooth as possible, drawing on years of experience in local, national and even international property sales.

We know what a trying time this can be, and we work hard to make your property transaction as stress-free as possible, delivering a quality service without compromise. 

Why Choose a Local Conveyancing Solicitor?

With much of the conveyancing process taking place via email these days, you may wonder why you need a local conveyancing solicitor – but in fact, it could make all the difference. Having Holdens Law on your team can bring you a number of advantages, including:

• Extensive knowledge of the local property market – Holdens have been serving the local community since 1847, so we have an unrivalled understanding of the local property market, whether that’s a country home in rural Cumbria, or a townhouse in historic Lancaster.

• Established relationships with local professionals – as a longstanding local conveyancing solicitor, we have built strong working relationships with all the professionals involved in your property sale, from local estate agents and surveyors to council records officers. This can significantly speed up your service and make it easier to navigate issues along the way.

• A friendly face if you need us – while you may never need to deal with us face to face to buy or sell a home, it’s good to know that we are there if you need to see us in person. Being able to visit a local office and talk with your local conveyancing solicitor can be all it takes to deal with a problem and get your transaction back on track.

A Step-by-Step Guide to the Conveyancing Process

To buy or sell a home, you need to go through a number of formal legal steps. You also need to undertake a process of due diligence to ensure that your property has no hidden issues that may affect its value, either now or in the future. Holdens Law will take care of every step in the conveyancing process on your behalf, including:

• Initial Instruction & ID Checks – when you first instruct us to handle your transaction, we will formally confirm your identity, as required by money laundering legislation. We will also provide you with a competitive quote for our services, including all fees and external costs (known as disbursements).

• Pre-Contract Enquiries and Property Searches – as your local conveyancing solicitor, we will commission the appropriate searches on the property, including local authority searches, environmental searches and location-specific searches such as Radon Gas issues.

• Reviewing Contracts and Mortgage Offers – your team will then draw up the contract of sale and confirm the details of any mortgage required for the sale.

• Arrange exchange of contracts – once everything is in place, we will arrange for the exchange of contracts. This makes the sale legally binding, so it is important that everything is checked carefully and professionally before contracts are exchanged.

• Completion – this usually takes place a week or two after exchange, though it can happen on the same day. This is the exciting day that you move in, or move out, and start your new life in a new home.

• Post-Completion: Stamp Duty and Land Registry – after completion takes place, your local conveyancing solicitor will register the sale with HM Land Registry and arrange for the payment of any Stamp Duty Land Tax that is due.

Put your property in the best hands

With as many as 25%-35% of property sales falling through before completion, you need all the help you can get with your property transaction. So trust the experts to give you the best chance of success on your sale or purchase.

Whether you are buying or selling a home, or even doing both, Holdens Law local conveyancing solicitors can take care of every step promptly and professionally, to make sure your move goes as swiftly and smoothly as possible. Contact our conveyancing team today for a competitive quote and unbeatable service.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the conveyancing process usually take?

Every property transaction is different, but on average, conveyancing takes around 12-16 weeks. It can be quicker or slower than this, depending on your individual circumstances and the complexity of the property or properties involved. As local conveyancing solicitors, Holdens Law can reduce the timescale through a combination of proactive service, local connections and detailed knowledge of the local property market.

What are disbursements?

Your conveyancing charges come in two parts: the fees for the services of your local conveyancing solicitor, and the cost of searches, surveys, Land Registry Fees and other third-party costs. These costs are known as disbursements. Disbursements are often paid in advance, while fees are paid on completion of the sale.

What are property searches, and why do I need them?

Property searches are used to ascertain information about a property that you need to know as part of your buying decision. Searches tell you important details such as rights of way, planning permissions and future development plans, as well as revealing potential environmental issues such as flood risks.

Can I use the same solicitor for buying and selling?

Yes, absolutely. In fact, this can significantly speed things up as it removes the need for different firms to communicate, which can cause delays.