Buying or selling a property can raise a lot of questions, especially if it’s your first time. At Latimer Solicitors, we believe in keeping things simple and transparent. Below you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions our clients ask about conveyancing.
Our conveyancing solicitors act for clients across England and Wales, offering clear advice, fixed fees, and regular updates to make your transaction as smooth as possible.
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from one person to another. It involves checking legal titles, preparing contracts, carrying out searches, exchanging contracts, and completing the transfer. A solicitor ensures everything is done correctly and your interests are protected.
Most property transactions take between 8 and 12 weeks, but the timescale can vary depending on the chain, mortgage arrangements, and how quickly enquiries are answered.
We’ll keep you informed throughout so you always know what stage your transaction is at.
Property searches provide essential information about the property and surrounding area. They include local authority, drainage, environmental, and land registry checks.
Searches reveal issues such as planning restrictions, flooding risks, or road adoption — things that could affect your decision to buy.
We usually ask for payment of search fees at the start of your transaction, with the balance of legal fees and disbursements due on completion.
We’ll confirm all costs upfront so you can plan accordingly.
Yes. A survey checks the physical condition of the property, while conveyancing deals with the legal ownership.
We recommend arranging at least a HomeBuyer or Building Survey, especially if the property is older or has been extended.
Exchange of contracts is the stage where both parties become legally bound to complete the sale or purchase. A completion date is agreed, and your deposit (usually 10%) is paid.
If you withdraw after exchange, you may lose your deposit and face penalties, which is why legal checks are completed before this point.
On completion, your solicitor transfers the purchase funds to the seller’s solicitor. Once received, the keys are released, and the property officially becomes yours.
For sellers, it’s when you receive the sale proceeds after any mortgage has been repaid.
No. Latimer Solicitors handles property transactions nationwide across England and Wales.
All communication can be managed by phone, email, and secure post, so you’ll receive the same high-quality service wherever you’re based.
In most cases, yes. We are on the panel for many major mortgage lenders, which allows us to act for both you and your lender, helping to speed up the process.
If your lender requires a different firm, we’ll let you know immediately.
Once completion takes place, we handle all post-completion tasks, including:
You’ll receive confirmation when everything is finalised.
Clients across England and Wales trust Latimer Solicitors because we combine clear communication with expert legal service.
Our aim is to make conveyancing simple, transparent, and stress-free.