Gaddes Noble Shortlisted Small Conveyancer of the Year

Shortlisted for the prestigious award for Small Conveyancer of the Year 2018

Gaddes Noble Property Lawyers are very proud to announce that they have been shortlisted for the prestigious award for Small Conveyancer of the Year 2018.

The LFS Conveyancing Awards are now in their seventh year and are the biggest and most prestigious event in the conveyancing calendar.

The award that we have entered was available all Small Conveyancing Firms. It gave us the opportunity to enter for offering a first class service but without having the large marketing budgets of our larger rivals and to compete against each other on a level playing field.

We have been part of a five-stage judging process, comprising of:

  1. Completion of an application so that the judges could make an initial assessment.
  2. A mystery shopping exercise to obtain a conveyancing quote. This process was scored on both the quality of the phone call and the subsequent quote pack that they received.
  3. A compliance check undertaken by Legal Eye. They requested several documents and policies and a score was given to each firm.
  4. A telephone interview by one of the judges
  5. Shopper Anonymous undertook a client survey based on a net promoter score

Managing Director, Lee Gaddes, commented ‘to be shortlisted for this highly acclaimed award is an honour and a testimony to our fabulous conveyancing team.  We are all now looking forward to attending the awards dinner later this year in Birmingham’.

Tackling Unfair Practices in the Leasehold Property Market

There are two different forms of legal ownership, freehold and leasehold.

Conveyancing and Estate Agents

Traditional Estate Agent or Online Estate Agent?

Discussing the effect on Clients and Conveyancers

Traditional Estate Agent

Most high street Estate Agents will typically charge an average of £1500.00 or a percentage of the sale price, on a no sale no fee basis, with no deferred payment, so they get paid when the property sells.  They usually often offer, a dedicated sales team, extensive sales progression work and local market knowledge.

Online Estate Agent

Most online Estate Agents will typically charge an average of £750.00, usually payable up front with a deferred payment charge/loan as an option. Big names in the online market are PurpleBricks, eMoov, Tepilo, HouseSimple, YOPA, Settled and Hatched.

Conveyancing Explained

When a new client instructs us to act on their behalf in the conveyancing, the property has already been sold, usually by the Estate Agent.  When a property has sold and Solicitors/Lawyers have been instructed, we receive a Memorandum of Sale from the Estate Agent.

Whether it be a traditional or online Estate Agent, we receive a detailed Memorandum of Sale detailing the main terms of the transaction which usually includes:

  • The full address and postcode of the property
  • The sale price
  • The names and addresses of the seller and purchaser
  • The name, address and contact details of the lawyer they have instructed
  • Any special remarks or conditions

We use that information to open your new file and start the conveyancing process.

The Main Differences

The main difference that we find is that a traditional Estate Agent will contact us several times throughout the transaction, often by telephone for updates on how the matter is progressing.

They will also contact the other party’s Solicitor/Lawyer for updates on their part of the transaction.  Updates will also be asked for by email and then the information passed on to the seller and buyer.  It is a ‘hands on’ approach and ensures that sales progression is maintained and all parties are fully informed and up to date.

An online Estate Agent will rarely contact us once a property has reached the conveyancing stage and sold subject to contract, their contact with us, the seller and the buyer will be minimal.

Once contracts have been exchanged and a completion date set as legally binding, we will always inform the Estate Agent whether they are traditional or online.

  • With a traditional Estate Agent, a fee invoice will usually be generated to be paid on the day of completion.
  • With an online Estate Agent, the fee will have usually been paid upfront and therefore their involvement at this stage is usually not needed.

We also find the day of completion very different with the Estate Agent models compared here.

  • With a traditional Estate Agent, the seller’s keys are deposited with the Estate Agent at their office ready for collection by the purchaser when legal completion takes place.
  • With an online Estate Agent, the onus is on the seller and buyer to meet and hand over their keys direct, once we have confirmed that funds have been received.

With a property sale, you are welcome to leave the keys to your property with us for collection if this assists you on the day of completion.

Conveyancing Service

Whichever model you choose to sell your property we can act on your behalf in the conveyancing of your property.  We will assist you with any negotiations that you require and be in regular contact with your buyer or seller’s Solicitor, we will ensure that funds are received into our client bank account on your behalf before you hand keys over to your buyer.

Residential Conveyancing
New Build Conveyancing
Commercial Conveyancing

New Build Property Lawyers, Solicitors and Conveyancers

Benefits of buying a new build property

When you make the decision to buy a property there are many factors to consider but one of the first things to decide upon is whether to buy a new build property or whether to buy a ‘second hand’ home.

There are various things to consider when you decide to buy a new build property and these include:

Features

The majority of developers no longer build houses that are identical and look like ‘lego style’ houses as in previous years.

Now, most reputable developers take great care to provide a number of varying house types and sizes on a new development.

Much thought is now put into the providing a variety of house styles and also making outdoor space in the form of parking spaces and also recreational parks and green spaces for residents to enjoy.

People will always say that if you want features like high ceilings, period fireplaces and multiple reception rooms then stay clear of new build.  However, developers are now listening to what house buyers want when they are choosing a property and starting to try and give people what they want in other forms, such as number of bedrooms, bathrooms, garden space and on the larger developments, a village feel to the community.

Energy Efficiency

New build properties are built to be more energy efficient and modern construction prevents damp, together with cavity wall insulation, double glazing and also improved insulation within the walls, lofts and floors providing long term energy savings.

Newly built properties will always be more energy efficient than older properties which can have such issues as damp, draughts and condensation.

Fittings

There is a certain attraction to owning a new build, much like when buying a brand-new car.  The feeling that no-one else has lived in the property before has a certain appeal and some people buy new build every time they move to a new house because of this attraction.

All developers offer a variety of internal fitting packages to buyers when they purchase the properties ‘off plan’.

These can include selected carpets, floor tiling, kitchens, bathrooms and white goods.  Often these items are offered at very competitive rates and take the hassle out of making sure that everything is fitted into the property ready for the day that you move in.

New Build Warranty

Most new homes come with an NHBC warranty.

This warranty offers protection for house-buyers for up to ten years following the completion of the purchase.

During the first two years the property is covered for failure by the builder to meet the warranty providers requirements when building your home or preparing the land on which the property stands.  During the following seven years the property is covered for any structural damage that may occur.

help to buy, new build conveyancing, residential conveyancing

New Build Property Lawyers, Gaddes Noble

Here are our top tips when buying a new build:-

  1. Check that the builders are members of National House Building Council (NHBC) or offer similar warranty such as Zurich or Premier.
  2. Search the internet for information on the builder and visit other completed sites to see the standards applied. Also check if they have won any industry awards.
  3. Check the site and house plans carefully. Artists impressions may have been used in marketing materials and therefore should be disregarded.
  4. Measure your property carefully, all floor space, including the height of the ceiling, to make sure your furniture fits.

New Build Property Lawyers and Conveyancers

Here at Gaddes Noble we have a team of new build property lawyers that specialises in new build property who can help you through the buying process.

We aim to make the whole experience as smooth and stress free as possible.

We are beside you from day one and here to guide you through the whole of the process involved, from the moment that you sign the reservation form on site to the day that you collect your keys to your new dream home.

To find out more about our New Build Conveyancing service click here.

help to buy, new build conveyancing, residential conveyancing

Help to Buy – A helping hand to your new home

Are you thinking of getting a foot on the property ladder or wanting to ‘upgrade’ your present home?

Are you finding it difficult due to money constraints?

If so, the Government’s Help to Buy Scheme may be just what you need to help achieve your dream home.

The scheme, first launched in its present form in April 2013, has so far helped over 183,000 people to get on, or up the housing ladder.

In fact 81% of people who have benefited from the scheme have been first time buyers. Proof indeed that the scheme is helping those that need it the most in these trying times.

There are two parts to the Help to Buy scheme – Equity Loan and Mortgage Guarantee.

Equity Loans are open to both first time buyers and home movers on properties within England. The maximum purchase price is £600,000 and the property being purchased must be a new build.

With an Equity Loan, you will only need a 5% deposit. The Government may also give you a loan of up to 20% of the purchase price. This means that you would only need a mortgage for 75% of the purchase price of the property. The Equity loan, if paid back within the first five years of the loan, is interest free. If paid back after the first five years, then the interest rate applicable will be dependent on the prevailing interest rates at that time.

You can pay back part or your entire loan at any time with no additional fees incurred. The minimum percentage you can pay back is 10% of the market value of your home. The amount you pay will depend on the market value of the property at that time.

The Mortgage Guarantee scheme, as with the equity loan, is open to both first time buyers and people moving up the property ladder. The mortgage guarantee is available for properties throughout the UK and is also offered on ‘second hand’ homes. The maximum purchase price is still £600,000 and you only need a 5% deposit.

Under both the above schemes the property upon which the loan is secured must be your only residence. The property cannot be rented out either.

Help to Buy, as easy as 1, 2, 3

There are a lot of builders both locally and nationally who participate in the Help to Buy scheme. Here at Gaddes Noble Property Lawyers we guide you through whole process from start to finish. We aim to try and take the stress out of moving home. We also work with you in achieving a swift conclusion to the house buying process and you getting the keys to your dream home.

Once you have found the home that you are looking for, contact your financial advisor and they will be able to advise you as to whether you would qualify for the scheme or not. Don’t think that the schemes are only for people on low incomes as this is not the case. The scheme is open to everyone to apply for and the property, if a new build, is bought through an approved Help to Buy builder thus giving you the peace of mind that the property is backed by an approved new build guarantee scheme such as NHBC, Zurich or similar.

Get a Quote

Would you like more information or a quote for residential conveyancing?