If you are purchasing, selling, or remortgaging a property in Totnes you will need the advice and guidance of experienced conveyancing solicitors to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Naturally, you’ll be incredibly excited about your move, however, when approaching a property transaction, there are various risks that you’ll need to be aware of. Our expert conveyancing solicitors in Totnes have the expertise you need to mitigate those risks, guiding you through the best that we can.
At Bird & Co, we are able to offer our clients a straightforward conveyancing service that they can rely on. We will ensure you are fully supported from start to finish, always ready to answer any questions that you may have.
We provide an efficient and fast online service, meaning that we can assist clients across Totnes as well as the surrounding areas, and clients further afield.
To get in touch with a member of our conveyancing team covering Totnes, give us a call or you can get a quote online.
Why choose Bird & Co for your conveyancing in Totnes?
- Specialist online conveyancing service – you can tap into our knowledge and capabilities whether you are located within the UK or anywhere around the world.
- Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) accreditation by the Law Society – Our clients can trust in the exceptional service quality we provide.
- A modern, simple and efficient service – Simplifying and alleviating the stress of your conveyancing process.
- Secure online systems – Ensuring your safety and the security of your funds throughout every step of your transaction.
- Direct access to the solicitor handling your case – This allows you to receive quick responses to your inquiries from someone who is familiar with both you and your transaction.
- Competitive fees with a clear quote upfront- Get an estimate of your potential conveyancing expenses by obtaining a quote, with no pressure to commit to working with us.
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 Totnes.
How our conveyancing solicitors can help people in Totnes
Our conveyancing team for Totnes 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 Totnes
- National expertise with many years of experience handling a wide range of transactions – Provides us with a wider range of experience compared to other local conveyancers, especially for handling more intricate transactions
- Well-developed online systems for a smooth conveyancing experience- Our well-established systems enable us to prevent many of the delays and frustrations commonly encountered with firms less accustomed to online operations, ensuring a smoother experience for our clients
- A fast, cost-effective service – After extensive experience and refinement, we've optimised our service and reduced costs, enabling us to extend these savings to our clients.
- Accessible expertise across the UK and worldwide – Our emphasis on an online-first strategy has made us the preferred choice for clients from all corners of the globe as well as across England and Wales
- Safe, secure conveyancing at all times – We employ state-of-the-art security measures to safeguard your personal information and financial assets. We also maintain comprehensive insurance coverage for added peace of mind
- Our conveyancing fees – how much does our conveyancing cost for Totnes property?
Our Totnes-based conveyancing services provide a variety of fee options to suit your needs. We offer fixed fees for straightforward tasks, ensuring transparent pricing from the start. If your transaction necessitates any additional fees, your solicitor will promptly inform you.
When it comes to conveyancing processes, there are additional expenses known as disbursements. These typically include essential tasks such as property registration with HM Land Registry and the procurement of conveyancing searches.
Tax considerations, such as Stamp Duty Land Tax or Capital Gains Tax, could impact your property transaction. Should such taxes apply, your solicitor will assist in assessing the amount due and in filing the necessary return with HMRC.
Conveyancing FAQs
How does the conveyancing process work in Totnes?
There are three main stages to the conveyancing process. These are:
- Offer and acceptance
- Exchange of contracts
- Completion
Upon acceptance of an offer, both the buyer and seller will mutually decide to formalise a contract. It's important to note that until this contract is signed and exchanged by both parties, no legally binding agreement is in place.
The buyer, in coordination with their solicitor, will conduct a series of property assessments. These assessments may include the following types of checks:
- 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 (arranged 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.
After the property assessments have been satisfactorily conducted, and both parties are content to proceed, they will proceed to sign and exchange contracts. At this point, the transaction becomes legally binding, and neither party can withdraw without incurring a financial penalty.
Completion marks the official conclusion of the transaction. At this stage, a transfer deed will be submitted to HM Land Registry, and the seller will be required to vacate the property.
How long does conveyancing take in Totnes?
Each conveyancing transaction presents its own distinct challenges, making it challenging to predict an exact timeframe for completion. However, under typical circumstances, the completion of straightforward conveyancing work generally spans a period of approximately 12-14 weeks from the date of offer acceptance and solicitor engagement.
At times, unforeseen delays may occur. If your conveyancing process is expected to extend beyond the typical timeframe, your solicitor will ensure that you receive regular updates and stay informed.
What searches are involved in conveyancing in Totnes?
When purchasing a property in Totnes, your conveyancer will perform a series of inspections to identify and resolve any potential concerns.
The three main types of conveyancing searches are:
- Local authority checks – to check the surrounding area for planning and building regulation consents, as well as proposed road schemes and any other planned or proposed work in the area that might affect the occupier of the property
- 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 or a conveyancer for Totnes property?
To the typical property buyer or seller, distinguishing between a conveyancing solicitor and a licensed conveyancer may not be immediately clear. Both represent distinct qualifications enabling individuals to handle property transactions. Neither option is strictly better than the other, yet there can be advantages to working with a solicitors' firm.
A solicitors' firm often boasts expertise spanning beyond property transactions, including areas such as wills and inheritance, property rights for unmarried couples, and dispute resolution. Collaborating with solicitors offers the peace of mind that a wide range of expertise is available to address any potential issues that may arise during the property buying or selling process.
What issues should buyers consider when purchasing a home in Totnes?
Flooding: Some areas in Totnes, particularly those close to the River Dart, are prone to flooding. Buyers should check flood risk maps and conduct thorough flood risk assessments before purchasing a property. It's also wise to inquire about any flood mitigation measures in place.
Planning Permissions: Totnes has a reputation for being a town that values its character and heritage. Obtaining planning permission for significant changes to properties, particularly in conservation areas, can be challenging. Buyers should consult with local planning authorities early in the process to understand the feasibility of their renovation or development plans.
Rural Issues: If you are considering purchasing a property in the rural outskirts of Totnes, you should be aware of potential challenges like limited access to amenities, slower internet connections, and reliance on private septic tanks rather than a mains sewage system.
What documents does a property solicitor need for conveyancing in Totnes?
Residential conveyancing requires a number of documents during the process, but this often depends on whether you are buying or selling a property.
During the process of purchasing a property in Totnes, 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 Totnes?
To get in touch with one of our conveyancers covering Totnes, you can give us a call or fill in our online enquiry form to request a call back.
Our Totnes 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 Totnes, our conveyancing solicitors will be able to lend their expertise.
Get in touch with our conveyancing solicitors for Totnes
Get in touch with our conveyancing solicitors covering Totnes by giving us a call or you can get a quote online.