If you're involved in buying, selling, or remortgaging a property in Falmouth, it's crucial to seek the guidance of expert conveyancing solicitors to ensure a smooth process.
Undertaking a real estate transaction is an exciting time but it comes with potential risks. Our conveyancing team possesses a wealth of expertise to help mitigate these risks and successfully navigate your case.
At Bird & Co, we offer our clients a straightforward and dependable conveyancing service that's easily accessible.
Our dedicated conveyancing solicitors will guide you through the entire process, addressing any questions you may have along the way.
We also provide a swift and efficient online conveyancing service, enabling us to cater to a broad clientele in Falmouth and the wider Cornwall region, including areas like Truro, Newquay, and the Scilly Isles.
To get in touch with a member of our conveyancing team covering Falmouth, give us a call or you can get a quote online.
Why choose Bird & Co for your conveyancing in Falmouth?
- Specialist online conveyancing service – so you can access our expertise from anywhere in the UK or internationally.
- Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) accreditation by the Law Society – so you can be confident of the high-quality service we offer.
- A modern, simple and efficient service – making your conveyancing easier to manage and less stressful.
- Secure online systems – keeping you and your money safe at every stage of your transaction.
- Direct access to the solicitor handling your case – So you can get swift answers to any questions from someone who knows you and your transaction.
- Competitive fees with a clear quote upfront – See how much your conveyancing might cost by getting a no-obligation quote online.
Not sure whether online conveyancing is right for you? Take a look at the benefits of working with our online conveyancers instead of a local conveyancer in Falmouth.
How our conveyancing solicitors can help people in Falmouth
Our conveyancing team for Falmouth 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 Falmouth
In the past, most people used their local solicitor for their conveyancing. You would visit their nearest office and all documents would be hand-produced and posted or delivered by hand.
That service came at a price; however, 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 solicitor.
Your conveyancer can be based anywhere and still provide a great service - even if he or she is in an office in a different part of Cornwall or elsewhere in the UK.
Bird & Co’s expert conveyancing solicitors 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 – we even once 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. In fact, you need never leave your home.
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 Falmouth property?
Our fees are transparent and, so long as the situation does not change (for example so long as your property doesn't turn out to be leasehold when we thought it was freehold), the fee we quote is the fee you will be charged.
We don't add extras on for things like photocopying or postage. Those are our overheads and we don't pass them on to you.
All our conveyancing fees are dependent on the nature and value of the transaction, so we naturally charge a bit more for more complicated and high value work. However, the fee charged will be the same for a customer in Newcastle as it would be for someone in London, or indeed in Cornwall.
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.
Conveyancing FAQs
How does the conveyancing process work in Falmouth?
There are three main stages to the conveyancing process. These are:
- Offer and acceptance
- Exchange of contracts
- Completion
When an offer is accepted, the buyer and seller will agree to enter into a contract. Until the contract is signed and exchanged by both parties, nothing is legally binding.
The buyer will carry out various checks on the property with their solicitor. The sort of checks that might be carried out include:
- Reviewing property information provided by the seller and making further enquiries if necessary (done by the conveyancing solicitor)
- Conducting conveyancing property searches, such as local authority checks (done by the conveyancing solicitor)
- Carrying out an independent survey (arranged by the buyer)
The buyer will also apply for a mortgage at this stage, if necessary.
Once the property checks have been completed and both parties are happy to proceed, they will sign and exchange contracts. The transaction will then be legally binding and neither party will be able to pull out without receiving a financial penalty.
Completion is where the transaction becomes official. A transfer deed will be submitted to HM Land Registry and the seller will need to leave the property.
How long does conveyancing take in Falmouth?
The duration of conveyancing in Falmouth, England, varies depending on several factors. On average, it takes approximately 8 to 12 weeks from the acceptance of an offer to the completion of the property transaction.
However, this timeline can be influenced by factors such as the complexity of the transaction, the responsiveness of all parties involved, searches, surveys, and any legal or property-specific issues that may arise.
It's advisable to work closely with experienced conveyancers who can provide a more accurate estimate based on the specific circumstances of your property transaction in Falmouth.
What searches are involved in conveyancing in Falmouth?
If you are buying a property in Falmouth, 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, pollution 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 Falmouth or a conveyancer?
For the typical property buyer or seller, distinguishing between a conveyancing solicitor and a licensed conveyancer may not be immediately apparent.
Both qualifications enable individuals to handle property transactions, and one is not inherently superior to the other. However, there are potential advantages to engaging with a solicitor's firm.
A solicitor's firm typically boasts expertise in a broader range of legal areas beyond property transactions.
Some of these areas, such as Wills and inheritance, property rights for unmarried couples, and dispute resolution, can prove highly valuable to those involved in property buying or selling.
What issues should buyers consider when purchasing a home in Falmouth?
When buying property in Falmouth, England, like in any location, there are specific local property issues that potential buyers should be aware of. Here are some common issues to consider:
- Flood risk: Falmouth is located on the coast, and some areas are prone to flooding. It's crucial to check the flood risk map and the property's specific flood risk status. This can affect insurance costs and property value.
- Conservation areas: Falmouth boasts a rich maritime history, and parts of the town may fall within conservation areas. This means there could be restrictions on property alterations and renovations to preserve the historic character.
- Listed buildings: Falmouth has several listed buildings with historic and architectural significance. Owning a listed property comes with strict regulations regarding alterations and maintenance. It's important to understand these requirements before purchasing such a property.
- Mining history: Some properties in Falmouth may be located in areas with a mining history. This can lead to issues such as subsidence or ground instability. Buyers should commission a geological survey to assess any potential risks.
- Leasehold vs. freehold: In some cases, properties in Falmouth may be leasehold rather than freehold. It's important to understand the terms of the lease, the length remaining, and any associated costs, such as ground rent and service charges.
- Maritime restrictions: Being a coastal town, there may be maritime restrictions affecting properties near the waterfront. These could relate to activities such as boat mooring and coastal access.
- Parking and accessibility: Falmouth can be congested during peak tourist seasons, and some properties may have limited parking options. Consider how this might affect your daily life and any additional costs for parking permits or private spaces.
- Local amenities and services: The availability of local amenities and services can vary between different areas in Falmouth. Consider the proximity to schools, healthcare facilities, public transportation, and shopping centres when choosing a property.
- Environmental concerns: Due to its coastal location, environmental concerns such as erosion and sea-level rise may be relevant. Understanding the local strategies and plans for addressing these issues is essential.
- Property market trends: Falmouth's property market may have unique dynamics influenced by factors like seasonal tourism and the presence of a university. It's advisable to research market trends and consult with local estate agents to make informed decisions.
What documents does a property solicitor need for conveyancing in Falmouth?
Residential conveyancing 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 Falmouth, 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 Falmouth?
To get in touch with one of our conveyancers covering Falmouth, you can give us a call or fill in our online enquiry form to request a call back.
Our Falmouth conveyancing team will be able to run through the initial stages of your conveyancing transaction and, once your file is opened, your conveyancer will take care of all of the legal details related to your transaction.
Whether you are moving to, from, or within Falmouth, our conveyancing solicitors will be able to lend their expertise.
Get in touch with our conveyancing solicitors for Falmouth
Get in touch with our conveyancing solicitors covering Falmouth by giving us a call or you can get a quote online.