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Conveyancing Solicitors in Cambridge
If you are looking for a conveyancing solicitor in Cambridge, we can help you. Our conveyancing solicitors offer a convenient, efficient, and friendly conveyancing service to clients in Cambridge, throughout Cambridgeshire and all over England, Wales and beyond.
If you are buying a detached house in Cambridge, selling a terraced house in Chesterton, downsizing to a bungalow in Arbury, or buying to let in Newtown, we can help you with your conveyancing, keeping the process quick and efficient from start to finish.
To get in touch with a member of our conveyancing team covering Cambridge, give us a call or you can get a quote online.
Why choose Bird & Co for your conveyancing in Cambridge?
Whether you’re putting your first foot on the property ladder or you’re selling your home, having a property solicitor you can trust to protect your interests and complete the transaction efficiently is essential in a stress-free conveyancing process.
At Bird & Co, we offer a friendly, modern and efficient service. So, if you want to deal with lawyers who are friendly and approachable, our conveyancing solicitors in Cambridge can help you.
From offer through to completion, you will have a direct line straight through to your legal team, and direct email addresses. We know the last thing you need during this time is to be kept in the dark, so you can rest assured that we will keep you up to date with each new development as and when they are received.
You can guarantee that your query will reach the right people, whether you want to ask about search fees in Cambridge, drainage and water fees in Cambridgeshire or something else.
We're a Conveyancing Quality Scheme accredited firm providing conveyancing to clients in Cambridge. This is a guarantee that our processes and procedures have been approved, that we operate to a certain standard, and is a mark of the excellence of our service approved by the Law Society, the body which represents solicitors throughout England and Wales.
We are on the panel for most major lenders, and many smaller ones too. Whether you want to use your local Building Society in Cambridgeshire or one of the larger corporates, chances are we have you covered.
In short, you get an excellent conveyancing service at an affordable price. You don't have the risk of going to the cheapest providers, most of whom aren't solicitors; instead, you get a great service from proper lawyers.
How our conveyancing solicitors can help people in Cambridge
Our conveyancing team for Cambridge have expertise in a wide range of property transactions, including:
- Buying and selling your home
- Advice for first time buyers, such as:
- Remortgaging
- Equity release
- Advice about buying as joint tenants or tenants in common
- Buying and selling listed property
- Buying and selling leasehold property
- Collective enfranchisement and buying the freehold of a house
- Lease extension
- Transfer of equity
- Gifting property and Deeds of Gift
- Buy to let conveyancing
- Buying and selling land
- Commercial conveyancing
- Stamp Duty advice
Benefits of working with our online conveyancers instead of a local conveyancer in Cambridge
In the old days you used your local property solicitor in Cambridge. You would visit their office in the centre of Cambridge, and all documents would be hand-produced and posted or delivered by hand.
That service came at a price, but the truth is that it is no longer needed. With modern technology such as scanning, emailing and even Skype or Facetime video calls there is no need to use your local property solicitor in Cambridge. Your conveyancer can be based anywhere and still provide a great service - even if he or she is in an office many miles away from Cambridge or perhaps not even in Cambridgeshire.
We have successfully dealt with thousands of conveyancing transactions all over the country, even with clients from the other side of the world. It is not unknown for us to talk to clients outside the UK using Skype, and once we had clients in Thailand talking to us through an interpreter in New Zealand.
There will be no need for you to visit our offices or hand deliver documents. You need never leave Cambridge - our conveyancers will talk you through the process via phone and email, and everything works just as smoothly as it would if we were just down the road.
Our conveyancing fees – how much does our conveyancing cost for Cambridge property?
When it comes to funding your property transaction, you can rest assured that our conveyancing solicitors in Cambridge will be up front from day one. So long as your situation does not change, the total cost of conveyancing will mirror the quote provided in your first appointment.
The fee we charge is based on the legal work itself: we never charge for additional expenses such as photocopying, postage or the like. These are our overheads, and we don’t pass them on to our clients.
In order to provide you with an accurate quote, we will always take the time to understand the ins and outs of your property sale or purchase. The fee you are charged will naturally depend on the nature and value of the transaction, so where more work is required for more complicated sales or purchases, the price will be slightly higher.
However, the fee charged will be the same for a customer in Newcastle as it would be for someone in London, or indeed in Cambridge.
Though we pride ourselves on offering a high-quality service for a realistic price, there are some aspects of our conveyancing fees that we can't change.
Fees charged by other bodies such as HM Land Registry, or by HMRC for Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) are out of our control.
To find out more about these additional fees, get in touch with our conveyancing solicitors in Cambridge and we will be more than happy to provide you with a quote for your property transaction.
Conveyancing FAQs
How does the conveyancing process work in Cambridge?
The conveyancing process in Cambridge, follows a series of steps to legally transfer property ownership from the seller to the buyer. Here is an overview of how the process typically works:
- Instructing a conveyancer: Both the buyer and seller engage solicitors or licensed conveyancers to handle the conveyancing process. The conveyancer acts as an intermediary between the parties and ensures that all legal requirements are met.
- Property information and local searches: The seller's conveyancer prepares a draft contract that includes details about the property and any fixtures or fittings to be included in the sale. Local searches are conducted to check for any potential issues affecting the property, such as planning permissions, environmental concerns, or boundary disputes.
- Reviewing and negotiating the contract: The buyer's conveyancer reviews the contract and raises any necessary queries or amendments. Both parties negotiate the terms until an agreement is reached, and the contract becomes legally binding.
- Mortgage and financing: If the buyer requires a mortgage to purchase the property, they will work with their lender to finalise the financing arrangements during this stage.
- Exchange of contracts: Once all parties are satisfied with the contract and all necessary conditions are met, the buyer and seller exchange signed copies of the contract. At this point, the buyer usually pays a deposit, which is typically around 5-10% of the property's purchase price.
- Pre-completion: The period between the exchange of contracts and the completion date is known as the pre-completion phase. During this time, the conveyancers coordinate the final preparations for the property transfer.
- Completion: On the agreed-upon completion date, the balance of the purchase price is paid by the buyer. The conveyancer ensures that the funds are transferred, and the seller's conveyancer confirms receipt of the money.
- Post-completion: After completion, the conveyancers handle the final steps, including paying stamp duty (if applicable) and registering the property with the Land Registry in the buyer's name. The buyer officially becomes the legal owner of the property.
How long does conveyancing take in Cambridge?
The duration of the conveyancing process in Cambridge can vary depending on several factors.
On average, it typically takes around 8 to 12 weeks from the time a solicitor or licensed conveyancer is instructed to the completion of the property transfer.
Various elements can influence the timeline, such as the complexity of the transaction, the responsiveness of all parties involved, the current demand for conveyancing services in the area, and the presence of any unforeseen legal issues or delays in obtaining necessary documentation.
To expedite the process, proactive communication between all parties and providing all required information promptly can be beneficial.
However, it's essential to recognise that each case is unique, and individual circumstances may impact the overall time frame.
What searches are involved in conveyancing in Cambridge?
If you are buying a property in Cambridge, your conveyancer will need to carry out a number of checks to ensure there are no issues that need to be addressed.
The three main types of conveyancing searches are:
- Local authority checks – to check the surrounding area for planning, pollution, highway or other related issues
- Environmental searches – to check for issues such as flooding or land contamination
- Water and drainage searches – to check matters such as water and drainage access
If further checks are required, then your solicitor will let you know.
Is it better to use a conveyancing solicitor in Cambridge or a conveyancer?
For the average property buyer or seller, the difference between a conveyancing solicitor and a licensed conveyancer might not be immediately obvious.
Both qualifications enable individuals to handle property transactions, and neither is inherently superior to the other. However, there are potential advantages to engaging with a solicitor's firm.
A solicitor's firm typically possesses expertise in a range of fields beyond property transactions, which can be beneficial to those involved in buying or selling property,
Collaborating with our Cambridge conveyancing solicitors offers the assurance that a wide range of expertise is available, including matters related to Wills and inheritance, property rights for unmarried couples, and dispute resolution.
What issues should buyers consider when purchasing a home in Cambridge?
When buying property in Cambridge, individuals may encounter specific local property issues that could potentially complicate the process. Some common issues include:
- Conservation areas and listed buildings: Cambridge has numerous conservation areas and listed buildings, which are subject to strict regulations. Buyers need to be aware of any restrictions on alterations and renovations that may apply to properties within these areas.
- Flood risk: Some parts of Cambridge are prone to flooding, especially along the River Cam and its tributaries. Buyers should conduct thorough flood risk assessments and consider appropriate insurance coverage.
- Leasehold properties: Many properties in Cambridge are leasehold rather than freehold. Buyers must understand the terms of the lease, ground rent, and service charges associated with leasehold properties.
- Shared ownership: Some properties in Cambridge are part of shared ownership schemes, where the buyer purchases a portion of the property and pays rent on the rest. Understanding the terms of the shared ownership agreement is crucial.
- Student housing restrictions: In certain neighbourhoods, there may be restrictions on converting residential properties into student housing, affecting potential investment opportunities.
- High demand and competitive market: Cambridge's popularity as a university town creates a competitive property market, leading to potential bidding wars and inflated property prices.
- Traffic and parking: Some areas in Cambridge can experience heavy traffic, and limited parking spaces may be a concern for buyers with vehicles.
- Planning permissions and extensions: Before making any significant modifications to a property, buyers should check whether planning permissions are required and if there are restrictions on extensions or alterations.
- Environmental concerns: Buyers should be aware of any environmental issues, such as contaminated land, that may affect the property.
- Transportation and accessibility: While Cambridge has good transportation links, buyers should consider proximity to public transport and amenities for their daily convenience.
What documents does a property solicitor need for conveyancing in Cambridge?
Residential conveyancing in Cambridge requires a number of documentations during the process, but this often depends on whether you are buying or selling a property.
During the process of purchasing a property in Cambridge, the documents you will be required to provide include:
- Identification (e.g. passport or driving licence)
- Proof of address
- Proof of funds (such as bank statements)
- The official offer of mortgage
The documents required when selling a property include:
- Proof of ownership
- Seller’s Property Information Form
- Certificates, guarantees and planning permission documentation
- Fitting and contents form
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- Leasehold or freehold information
- Details of the mortgage
How do you instruct our conveyancing solicitors for Cambridge?
To get in touch with one of our conveyancers covering Cambridge, you can give us a call or fill in our online enquiry form to request a call back.
Our helpful conveyancing support team will then guide you through the initial stages, and once your conveyancing file is opened your Cambridge conveyancing solicitors and their small team will deal with the legal side of the conveyancing transaction.
You'll be given direct contact details for your conveyancing lawyers and they'll keep you updated with each new development in your case as and when we receive them.
As well as a speedy transaction, our priority is to ensure your interests are protected and there are no bad surprises waiting to catch you out at the last moment.
Each document we receive from the other party’s solicitor and local authorities will be checked meticulously before proceeding, and you will be the first to know should any issues arise along the way.
Whether you're moving to Cambridge or away from Cambridge to somewhere else, our conveyancing team can help you do so with the minimum of fuss and inconvenience.
Get in touch with our conveyancing solicitors for Cambridge
Get in touch with our conveyancing solicitors covering Cambridge by giving us a call or you can get a quote online.