Buying and Selling Residential Property Solicitors

Moving home is thought to be one of the most stressful things you can do, but that doesn’t necessarily need to be the case. Whether you are upsizing due to a family expansion, relocating, or even purchasing a property with a view of letting to tenants, there are many steps to follow that must all be completed before you are the right and legal owner.

If you are buying a property, you will need to make sure that the seller is entitled to sell, that what you see on the ground matches what the property ownership records say and that there is nothing about the property or the surrounding area that you should be concerned about or which may affect your decision to buy.

If you are selling, you will need to provide proof of ownership to the buyer, answer any questions they have and possibly agree to take out insurance if a problem is identified with cannot be remedied, for example doubt about your right to use an access road leading to and from the property.

At Stephens & Son Solicitors in Kent we have a team of experienced conveyancing lawyers who can guide you through the buying and selling process.

For buyers they can:

check that the seller is entitled to sell and that they own everything being offered for sale;
check whether anyone other than the seller is living at the property and if so get their agreement to leave as soon as the sale proceeds;
carry out searches to check for potential problems, such as a history of flooding or subsidence, breach of planning rules or plans to build a major road nearby;
check that your financial arrangements are in order, including any mortgage you may be reliant on;
set a timetable for completion which ensures any related sales or purchases linked to your transaction all complete on the same date;
prepare the property transfer papers;
advise you on the costs and expenses you will need to pay, including stamp duty land tax if applicable; and
register your ownership of the property with the Land Registry once the purchase completes.

For sellers they can:

obtain the evidence needed to prove your entitlement to sell and that you own the property and any land around it;
where such evidence cannot be obtained, for example because you have no legal documents proving your ownership, advise on the likelihood of you being able to apply to the Land Registry for recognition of your ownership rights based on the length of time you have occupied the property;
deal with any other queries raised as a result of the buyer’s searches;
advise you on your options if the buyer seeks a price reduction because of an unexpected problem;
ensure the transfer papers are in order;
complete the transfer and settle any outstanding mortgage; and
advise you on the costs and expenses you will need to pay, including capital gains tax if selling a second home or investment property.

Advising individuals throughout Chatham, Kent and beyond

We have offices in Chatham, Maidstone, Tonbridge, Gravesend and Tenterden where we can meet you to discuss your requirements.

We can also offer meetings at your home if necessary, and in exceptional circumstances a telephone appointment can be arranged via skype.

Our conveyancing fees

The cost of buying or selling a property will vary depending on your circumstances. We are happy to provide a no obligation estimate upon request or you can find our conveyancing fees here.