Christelle Thompson Solicitors Near Me

Sold Subject To Contract Meaning

Sold Subject To Contract Meaning

Sold subject to contract means that an offer has been accepted on the property but that the paperwork hasn’t been completed and no money has changed hands.

It means that when you see a big ‘SOLD’ sign go up outside a property, it’s actually only sold subject to contract.

They do say that no deal’s done until you’ve got the money in your bank and that’s absolutely true with buying or selling a house – until you’ve got the keys, the contracts have been exchanged, and the finances are sorted, it’s only agreed subject to contract.

So, what does it really mean?

To be connected to a specialist solicitor near to where you live, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

Sold Subject To Contract

Buying or selling a house can be incredibly stressful.

Anyone that’s ever done it will tell you as much – and it’s doubly so when you’re in a chain where one slight hiccup can have a ripple effect throughout every transaction in the chain.

But it doesn’t need to be as complex or stressful as you think, and often, it’s not.

Whether someone says the property is sold STC, there’s a sale agreed, or any variation of that, it means the same thing. An offer has been accepted for the property and the legal side of things is underway.

Sometimes you might see the phrase ‘under offer’ used but there is a slight difference here… because it means that while an offer has been made on the property, it hasn’t been accepted yet.

It might mean the owner of the property is waiting for other offers, considering whether to accept or that they’ve just simply not responded to the offer yet.

It’s worth knowing that people can actually still make an offer on a property that is sold subject to contract.

If you’re a buyer and you’re keen on one particular property, you might bid on it even though there’s already been an offer accepted – this is known as ‘gazumping’. The offer will need to better the offer that’s been accepted if you’re going to have a chance of it being accepted or maybe you could match it if your circumstances mean you could complete the sale quicker.

The issue is that gazumping is often seen as unfair once an offer has been accepted and the seller can risk losing the original buyer if the deal then isn’t completed after they accept the higher offer…

It doesn’t mean it’s not a viable option but it does mean that you should be aware that many people won’t be receptive to higher offers once they’ve agreed a sale subject to contract.

What Happens Next?

Once you’ve had an offer accepted or accepted an offer on a property, the conveyancing process begins.

That basically means that all the legal work gets underway – sellers’ packs are prepared, legal searches begin, contracts are drafted, enquiries are raised and answered, and finally, contracts are exchanged.

Finding a solicitor you can rely on for your property transaction is a key part of the process. Costs will vary depending on the value of the property, where it is, the solicitors you choose, and the searches that need to be conducted.

Not only that, but depending on the location, land, and individual solicitor. If you need more searches because of the area or land your property is on, that could mean the process is more costly and time-consuming, but your solicitor will be able to advise you on what to expect.

Conveyancing Solicitors Near Me

We know that finding the right Conveyancing Solicitor is crucial, which is why we’re here to help…

Because buying or selling your property can be confusing, stressful, and complicated – so we know how much of a difference a good solicitor can make.

We’re here to make sure you’re in safe hands by connecting you with expert solicitors near you for FREE.

So, if you’re looking for a Conveyancing Solicitor near me to help with your property sale or purchase, look no further…

To be connected to a specialist solicitor near to where you live, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

How Long Does It Take To Buy A House?

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, an investor, moving house or selling a house, knowing how the process works is essential. How long does it take to buy a house?

They say that moving house is a great decision until you start packing, but that’s by the by.

Buying a house can take 6 weeks or it can take 6 months, and it can take anything in between and even longer.

The reality is there are a number of factors that will decide how long your move takes – and many of them are nothing to do with you.

To be connected to a specialist solicitor near to where you live, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

What Is The Average Time To Buy A House?

The average time to purchase a house is between 6-12 months, and a lot of this will depend on various factors.

For example, if the people you’re buying the house from are moving to a new home, and the home they’re buying has people who also need to buy a new home, you can end up in a long chain.

This will affect how long the process takes as every single purchase and sale requires legal searches, contracts to be drafted, and certain requirements to be met – and the sale can’t proceed without every single part of the chain being ready.

A lot of people find a long chain off-putting for exactly this reason, but even smaller chains can still present issues if things appear in searches that present concerns for your solicitor.

Is There Anything I Can Do To Speed Up The House Buying Process?

Get all of your ducks in a row.

By that, we mean you should make sure you’ve done everything you can to ensure your solicitor can conduct searches and do work on your behalf so that they’re not sat waiting for you to fill in a form, sign a document, or do anything else.

One of the big frustrations for any homebuyer is that a lot of the process feels like it’s out of your hands, and to a large extent that’s true. Finding a good conveyancing solicitor and keeping in touch with them on a regular basis to make sure there’s nothing else you need to do to help the process move as smoothly as possible from your perspective.

What Will Slow Down Buying A House?

When you consider how many parts there are to the conveyancing process, there’s plenty that can slow down buying a house.

Once you’ve found a house that you want to purchase and you’ve had an offer accepted, you want to get in there as soon as possible. But the reality is that before you get there, you’ve got to…

Appoint a conveyancing solicitor
Your solicitor needs to receive the seller’s information pack from the seller’s solicitor
Once they have that, they need to raise any enquiries and receive answers
Contracts need to be prepared to buy the house
Contracts need to be exchanged

And if you’re in a chain, that process needs to happen 3, 4, 5, 6, or even more times over so you can all align and get a move-in date that works for everyone.

If you’re buying with a mortgage, you’ll also need to apply for and receive your mortgage offer from your lender – any delay in this could cause issues and slow down the house-buying process.

The various searches that need to be conducted could also slow down the process.

If an environmental search finds that the house, you’re buying is prone to flooding or if a water and drainage search finds you’re not connected to mains drainage or public sewers, it could be an issue.

Of course, there are ways to address any issues that crop up and your solicitor will be able to advise, but these are potential stumbling blocks when you’re buying a house.

How Do I Find The Best Solicitors To Buy A House?

At Solicitors Near Me, that’s exactly what we’re here to help you with.

We know that buying a house is one of, if not the biggest decisions and investments you’ll ever make – so it’s important you get it right. And the best way to ensure that’s the case is by instructing the best conveyancing solicitor you can find near you..

We connect you with expert solicitors near you for FREE so that you can decide whether you want to proceed with them, and until then, you won’t pay a single penny.

Because we understand how important it is to get your home move sorted, properly.

To be connected to a specialist solicitor near to where you live, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

What Does Under Offer Mean?

What Does Under Offer Mean?

When it comes to buying or selling a property, it can feel like there’s a whole different language involved.

If you’ve never bought or sold a house before, it can be difficult to know what everything means – and we’ve all been there!

When a property is ‘under offer’, it means that an offer has been accepted by the owners of the property, but contracts have not been exchanged yet.

To be connected to a specialist solicitor near to where you live, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

Under Offer Meaning

Navigating your way around the world of property speak isn’t easy – although if you’ve watched a few episodes of Location, Location, Location or Homes Under The Hammer, you’re a good portion of the way there.

When you’re buying a property, it can be a stressful time.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, you’re moving home or you’re investing in property, the buying process can still present challenges.

That’s without even mentioning the prospect of selling your home.

How Long Does Conveyancing Take?

Conveyancing refers to the area of law that deals specifically with the transfer of land and buildings – that’s buying and selling property to you and me.

Because most of us don’t have to deal with legal issues too often, moving home is one of the few times you’re likely to deal with a solicitor. And because of that, we know how important it is to find the right one for you.

While the conveyancing process might seem like a different world at first, it doesn’t need to be that complicated. To help, we’ve outlined the entire process below:

Step 1 – You decide to buy or sell a property
Step 2 – You instruct an estate agent or begin your property search
Step 3 – You agree to buy or sell a property OR both
Step 4 – You instruct a conveyancing solicitor
Step 5 – They prepare the sellers pack (if you’re selling) to send to the buyers and begin the legal process or if you’re buying, they begin legal searches
Step 6 – Your solicitors prepare the contracts to buy or sell the property (or both)
Step 7 – Contracts are exchanged
Step 8 – Completion Of The Conveyancing process

Once you’ve agreed on your purchase or sale, it’s time to find a conveyancing solicitor you can trust.

There are a lot of legal aspects involved in a property transaction that include searches if you’re buying, information packs being drafted and send, and contracts being drawn up.

Searches might include local authority searches, environmental searches, water and drainage searches, and sometimes even coal mining and chancel repair liability searches.

These will always depend on the location and type of property or land as your solicitor will only recommend a coal mining search if your property is in an area near a former (or current) coal mine.

Conveyancing fees will also differ depending on the value of the property, where it is, the solicitors you choose, and the searches that need to be conducted.

And that’s why it’s incredibly important that you find the right solicitor for you…

Conveyancing Solicitors Near Me

We know that finding the right Conveyancing Solicitor is crucial – it almost goes without saying, right?

Buying or selling property can be a stressful experience, so we’re here to make sure you’re in safe hands by connecting you with expert solicitors near you for FREE.

So, if you’re looking for a Conveyancing Solicitor near you to help with your property sale or purchase, we’ve got you covered…

To be connected to a specialist solicitor near to where you live, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

Do You Need A Solicitor To Remortgage?

Do You Need A Solicitor To Remortgage? Remortgaging is when you take out a new mortgage on a property you already own. If you are remortgaging, you may be asking yourself Do You Need A Solicitor For A Remortgage?

It might be to borrow money against your property or maybe to replace your existing mortgage and there are plenty of reasons why you might do it. It could be to raise funds to pay for an extension to your property or for plenty of reasons.

Many homeowners do it to make the most of good deals and to lock in rates on their mortgage rather than relying on interest rates which can rise on loans.

In this article we look at whether you do need a solicitor for a remortgage.

If you would like to be connected to a specialist remortgage solicitor near to where you live or work, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

Do I Need Solicitor For A Remortgage?

If you’re sat wondering ‘do I need a solicitor to remortgage, then we are first going to give you everyone’s favourite answer..

It depends.

You won’t always need a conveyancing solicitor if you’re remortgaging but it will depend on the circumstances.

For example, if you’re getting an advance where you’re borrowing more on your existing mortgage deal with your current lender then there are no legal aspects involved – this is usually known as a product transfer as mortgage deals are referred to as ‘products’.

So, the only charges are to do with increasing the loan and repayments, which means you might not need a solicitor.

BUT if you’re not remortgaging with your current lender then you will need a solicitor to assist with the legal aspects of transferring your mortgage deal across to the new deal.

How Much Does A Solicitor Cost For A Remortgage?

Depending on the complexity of your remortgage and the circumstances involved, a solicitor for a remortgage can cost anywhere between £400 – £2,000 and potentially more.

The reality is that a lot of the costs will depend on your location, the cost of the land registry fee, and whether there are any additional requirements to complete the remortgage from a legal point of view.

How Do You Know If You Need A Solicitor For A Remortgage?

Do I need a solicitor to remortgage? It’s a question you should absolutely ask when you’re looking at remortgaging.

Your lender should be able to guide you on whether or not you need a solicitor but if you do, you can expect them to conduct a lot of legal searches and work on your behalf.

Conveyancing (this is the legal branch of law relating to moving home and all things associated with it) isn’t as complicated when you’re remortgaging but there is still plenty of legal work involved. That includes:

Property searches and leasehold checks
A valuation on your property
Checking details on your current mortgage and obtaining a ‘redemption statement’ detailing how much you owe and the total of any exit and early repayment charges
ID checks and money laundering checks
Land Registry searches
Registering changes with the Land Registry

Not only that but your solicitor will also check the details of your mortgage offers and raise any issues with you and your lender, conduct bankruptcy searches, and complete the remortgage before paying off your old mortgage and fees and sending any remaining money to you.

The remortgaging process should take between one and two months and it’s usually quicker if you’re dealing with the same lender as your current deal – which is worth considering if you’re thinking about remortgaging.

Remortgaging Solicitors Near Me

At Solicitors Near Me, we know that remortgaging is a big decision and one that you want to get right.

Whatever the reason for remortgaging, we recognise that the legal side of things needs to be absolutely spot on and that’s where we come in…

Because we match you with specialist conveyancing solicitors near you to ensure you receive the absolute best legal advice possible.

Whatever the circumstances, we’re here to help – and we connect you with solicitors for FREE… so you don’t pay anything until you choose to proceed with a solicitor near you.

To be connected to a specialist solicitor near to where you live, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

UK Statute of Limitations

UK Statute of Limitations – if you have a legal claim that you wish to bring, there are deadlines by which your action must be started. These are known as limitation periods. It is very important that you do not miss the deadline as this is likely to mean that you will not be able to bring your claim.

The law in this area, known as the statute of limitations, is intended to protect people from claims being made long into the future, when evidence may have been lost and witnesses might not have a good recall of what happened.

It can also prompt those who have a claim to act without undue delay.

What Is The Statute Of Limitations UK?

The Limitation Act 1980 sets out the limitation periods or time limits within which a claim must be started.

Deadlines vary depending on the type of claim involved.

The time usually starts running from the date of the incident or the date on which you realise that you have suffered harm, for example, in a personal injury case.

The primary limitation period

The standard limitation period in which you should commence a personal injury claim is three years from the date of your injury, unless you were not aware at the time that you were injured.

The secondary limitation period

Where the claim involves negligence on the part of the defendant, there is a three year limitation period that runs from the date that you realised that you had suffered harm.

The secondary limitation period does not apply to breach of contract cases, only to claims involving negligence.

Personal injury limitation period

If your claim is for damages following personal injury, your claim should be brought within three years of the later of:

When the negligence that caused you harm occurred; or
When you knew that you had suffered harm.

The court does have some discretion to extend the limitation period if it considers this to be fair, but this should not be relied upon.

In personal injury cases involving children, the three year period runs from the date of their 18th birthday.

Time limits in which different types of claims should be brought

The Limitation Act 1980 sets out the limitation periods for several types of claims, while certain specialist claims may have their own limits contained in different legislation.

An expert litigation solicitor will be able to advise you of the time limit if you are considering bringing a claim.

Some limits are as follows:

Breach of contract: 6 years.
Personal injury: 3 years.
Negligence claims: 6 years.
Breach of trust claims: 6 years.
Statutory debt: 6 years.
Tort cases: 6 years.
Enforcement of arbitration awards: 6 years.
Recovery of land: 12 years.
Defamation and malicious falsehood cases: 1 year.

Professional negligence claims

If you have instructed a solicitor to act on your behalf and they have failed to make your claim for you within the statutory time period allowed, you are likely to have a valid claim against them for professional negligence.

We can put you in touch with a solicitor who deals with professional negligence claims against other professionals and who will be able to advise you of the next steps to take. If you have missed the deadline to make a claim, you may still be able to recover compensation from your solicitor’s insurer, as their negligence should not cause you any loss.

Solicitors Near Me Who Deal With Litigation

We have a wide range of solicitors who deal with all types of civil claim and civil litigation, meaning we will be able to recommend an expert to you who has the right level of knowledge and experience for your case.

If you believe you have a claim, you are advised to speak to a solicitor as soon as possible to make sure that you do not miss the statutory deadline.

Do You Need Help Finding Litigation Solicitors Near Me?

If you believe you have a claim against someone, you are advised to seek legal advice as soon as you can. This will enable your litigation solicitor to start gathering evidence while the incident is fresh in everyone’s minds.

Our Solicitors Near Me lawyers have experience across a full range of civil cases, including the following:

We can put you in touch with a lawyer with the necessary expertise for your claim.

Solicitors Near Me Service

Our Solicitors Near Me service will match you with a solicitor who has been hand-picked for both their legal expertise and the high level of service that they offer. The service was created by a solicitor who understood from clients how hard they had found it to identify lawyers who offered legal excellence, a strong understanding of the system and outstanding client care.

Our solicitors have been chosen because they can fulfil all three of these requirements. Our service also offers you the chance to be represented by a solicitor in your local area, which can be useful if you wish to visit their offices for meetings, to drop off paperwork or to sign documents.

How Much Does Our Find A Solicitor Near Me Service Cost?

Our service is free. We will put you in touch with a solicitor with the right experience for your case and you can connect with them to see whether they are a good fit for your needs. If you decide to instruct them, you will then be liable for their costs from that point. Our service in matching you with the right lawyer remains free.

To be connected to a specialist litigation solicitor near to where you live, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.