Conveyancing is the process of transferring legal ownership of a property from the seller to the buyer. In the UK, legal ownership is transferred through land registration. After that, the buyer pays a fee to the government to make the transfer legal.
Now, if you happen to be buying or investing in a new build, you might be wondering whether you still need a conveyancer or not. Simply put, yes. You still do. If the property is new, you will need a conveyancer to act on your behalf, as the developers and estate agents aren't professional conveyancers.
The conveyancing process for a new build is more complicated than for an older property. You will be dealing with several parties involved in the sale, including the developer, the estate agent, and the mortgage lender. The developer will usually manage the conveyancing process. But you will usually have to pay the legal fees while the developer pays the land registration fee.
Today, we will take a closer look at new build conveyancing and the most important things you need to know about it.
Here's what you need to know:
The Process of New Build Conveyancing
Conveyancing for a newly built property is similar to conveyancing for an older property. The process for a new build is slightly more complicated than an older one due to the number of parties involved in the sale. However, once again, the conveyancing process is similar in that you have to have a surveyor, a solicitor, and an insurance provider.
You will likely have to sign a "contract for sale" with the developer. The contract will detail the terms of the sale, including the price and dates and the extent of completion of the build. You will need to conduct due diligence before signing the contract. This involves investigating the property and its developer to ascertain whether they are trustable.
You will usually speak to an agent when you have found the right property. The agent will guide you through the procedure and help you negotiate the property's price. If you decide to proceed with the purchase, you will enter into a contract. Signing a contract binds you to pay a deposit and the seller to transfer ownership of the property once the entire amount is paid.
The seller will usually complete the deal within 30 days of the deposit receipt. If the property is not completed, the seller won't transfer legal ownership, and you can cancel the contract.
The developer will then transfer the ownership to you, called "completion." The developer will also pay the land registry fee, £30. However, if the property is not complete, there will be a 10% surcharge. Soon after, you will receive the keys to the property.
Conveyancer vs Solicitor
What is a Conveyancer?
A conveyancer is a property specialist who deals with the legal process of buying and selling an asset. They work with the owners and property valuers, who ensure that the legal process is followed. It should also be noted that the Financial Conduct Authority regulates conveyancers.
Conveyancers are responsible for ensuring the legality of a purchase. This means that the conveyancer is responsible for ensuring that the contract is valid and that all the terms in the agreement are legal.
For example, suppose the developer offers the property at a launch price. In that case, the conveyancer should ensure that the developer is allowed to do so and that the price is within the legal limits.
What is a Solicitor?
A solicitor is a legal practitioner. They are responsible for drawing up paperwork and representing the client in a court of law. Only solicitors with a law degree can draft and administer wills and deal with probate. They can also deal with divorces, personal injury cases, and car accidents.
For a conveyancer, their primary responsibility is ensuring that the property transfer process is completed. However, solicitors can also help you make sure that your title deeds are in order when buying or selling a property. They can also help you review your mortgage to ensure that you are paying the right interest on your mortgage.
The Benefits of Having a Conveyancer for New Builds
A conveyancer will be essential throughout the entire process of buying a new build. Firstly, you will have to have a conveyancer to negotiate the best price. This means that you will end up paying less than the initial asking price.
Secondly, a conveyancer is going to offer more options. This is because they will have experience dealing with new builds in your area. They will tell you what the current market price is and whether you are getting value for money. Conveyancers can also help advise you on the best offers on new builds in your area and decide whether you should cancel the deal or not.
A conveyancer can also help you avoid buying a complete or only partially complete property. You will want to know as much about the property as you can before you sign the contract.
You will want to know about every detail about the property, including the rooms and layouts, the quality of the materials used in the construction, and the quality of the finish. You will find this information out only if you have an experienced conveyancer.
What to Expect During the Process
Buying a newly built property is a different experience than buying an older property. The seller is likely to be a big corporation or a big developer who builds a lot of properties. You will encounter many parties when buying a new build property, including the developer, the surveyor, the estate agent, the lender, and so on.
You will likely have to make several visits to the property and go through a lot of paperwork and documentation to ensure that the process is completed correctly. To make things easier for you, the property developer will usually help you with the entire process.
How to Get Started
So you want to buy a new build property? Well, you are not alone. There aren't many people who want to buy an older property, especially when there is a massive oversupply.
It can be pretty intimidating buying a newly built property, as you will have to work with lots of parties. However, you don't have to worry. All you have to do is find a quality conveyancer who can work with you to ensure that you're making the best decision for your money.
The Bottom Line
New builds are the way of the future, and there is no denying that. Buying a new build is a different experience from buying an older property. You will encounter a lot of parties, which can be intimidating for some people.
But the experience isn't all that bad. After all, new builds are highly sought after. With help and guidance from a trusted conveyancer, you will be able to get the best possible deal on a new build property.
If you need to find conveyancing quotes in the UK, we're here to help you. Conveyancing Calculator is an online residential conveyancing calculator. We use our trust and accurate conveyancing fees calculator to ensure you get the best idea of the costs you are facing. Browse through our website for more information.
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