Are You Doing Too Many File Reviews?
We are often asked the question, “How many property files should we be reviewing?”, and when we ask what the firm is currently doing get met with, “three files per quarter per fee earner, including two purchase, one sale and one remortgage (if undertaken), or “one file per month per fee earner”. So, where did […]
First-Time Buyers Lack Clear Understanding Of Buying Process
First-time buyers (FTB) stand accused of being extremely naive about the intricacies and even obvious elements involved with the home buying and selling process. According to over 2,000 non-home owning respondents, questioned by lenders Santander, 57% of prospective FTBs believe they will be able to borrow up to ten times the single or household income. […]
FTB And Homemover Mortgages Increase Annually To July
First-time buyer (FTB) mortgages and home mover mortgages rise year on year whilst remortgages fall in the year to July. According to the ‘Mortgage Trends Update’ by UK Finance, FTBs took out 32,640 new mortgages in July. This figure represented a 5.8% increase when compared to the same month a year earlier. Similarly, home mover […]
Thames Water Property Searches Commercial Conveyancing CPD
To assist legal practitioners in taking advantage of the continued resilience of the commercial property sector and grow their practice and reputation for excellence in this area, Thames Water Property Searches are proud to present a free interactive and informative legal CPD commercial property-based event. Throughout the day, you will hear essential information and updates by […]
LFS Conference 2019: Cyber Threats, Contracting Economy And AML Compliance Issues Discussed
The LFS Conveyancing Conference 2019 Round Up This year’s must-see event for all conveyancers, the Law Firm Services Conveyancing Conference and Awards (LFS) certainly did not disappoint with an array of industry speakers refreshing existing knowledge and enlightening the audience, whilst also collaborating and conversing with professionals in the conveyancing world. Taking place at the […]
FTB Housing Deposits Reach Record Highs
First-time buyers (FTB) have almost reached their highest point since the peak point prior to the housing market crash of 2006. According to data generated by Halifax and the Lloyds Banking Group, more than 170,000 first-time buyers have bought property in 2019. This figure is just short of the peak number of first-time buyer completions […]
Homeowners Snub Downsizing In Favour Of Releasing Equity
Almost a quarter of home owners are planning to use the equity in their homes to fund their care costs in later life. 24% of unretired home owners would prefer to use the equity in their homes than deplete their pension pot when looking to fund the costs associated with old age. The research also […]
Network Rail Entangled By Japanese Knotweed Complaints
A huge number of home owners whose homes border railway tracks have complained to Network Rail for failing to control the proliferation and spread of Japanese Knotweed. Since 2011, Network Rail has been bombarded with 11,000 complaints from disgruntled homeowners, anxious that the widespread weed is not being dealt with effectively enough on the state-owned […]
CA Support Holistic Government-Led Digital ID Source
Through its response to the Department for Culture Media and Sport’s (DCMS) consultation on Digital Identity, The Conveyancing Association (CA) has responded by emphasising the importance of ID checks but expressed concern regarding the number of checks consumers have to go through using the current system. The CA statement insisted the trade body remained committed […]
Commons Select Committee Critical Of Help To Buy’s Value
The Commons Select Committee has deemed the value of Help to Buy to be uncertain following a fairly critical report. Although the report acknowledged that Help to Buy achieved its original purpose of re-stimulating a stagnant market by boosting home ownership and developer confidence between 2013 and 2016, the estimated £29 billion tied up in […]
Distinction Of Ownership Types Not Explained To 89% Of Leaseholders
89% of respondents claim they were not informed of the difference between leasehold and freehold ownership by their conveyancer, developer and estate agent when they purchased their home. According to a survey of over 1,500 leasehold homeowners, completed by the National Leasehold Campaign (NLC), the majority felt as though all stakeholders including solicitors, estate agents […]
Housing Minister Will Achieve 300,000 Homes Through New Build Innovation
Esther McVey, the Government’s ninth housing minister in nine years offered a frank account of the residential construction market in a recent speech for the RESI Convention 2019 event. Whilst considering the achievements of the Government, McVey highlighted the £9 billion worth of investment into the Affordable Homes Programme alongside a further £2 billion in […]
‘Making It Happen’ – HM Land Registry Local Land Charges Annual Conference 2019
Leading property expert Kate Faulkner and her colleagues at the Home Buying and Selling Group will be talking about ways to provide consumers with a better home buying experience, along with other industry experts talking around the day’s theme: ‘making it happen’. Sessions will explore how organisations can work together to help improve the customer […]
Market Contracts In September With Both Buyers And Sellers Stalling
The usual ‘autumn bounce’ in home buying and selling has stalled in September as the looming October Brexit deadline deters buyers and sellers from making a move in the housing market. The number of sales agreed, according to Rightmove’s September House Prove Index, has plummeted from a 6.1% increase in August activity when compared with […]
CA responds to Governments Consultation on Digital Identity
The Conveyancing Association (CA), the leading trade body for the conveyancing industry, has today (16th September 2019) issued its response to the Department for Digital, Media, Culture & Sport’s consultation on Digital Identity. The Department is asking for responses on how the Government ‘can support the development and secure use of digital identities…for the UK’s […]
Index Announces The Launch Of Integration With Lexsure’s Electronic Report On Title
Index is delighted to announce the launch of our integration with Lexsure’s Electronic Report on Title (eROT). This report is designed to dramatically reduce time spent drafting reports, a report on title traditionally takes approximately one hour per transaction, this is now done in seconds! Richard Norman, Director at Index Property Information, says: “We are delighted to have integrated our […]
Getting Ready For The New SRA Standards and Regulations
Conveyancers working within firms regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) will have their hands full leading up to 25th November 2019, when a new set of Standards and Regulations will be introduced covering solicitors, firms and accounts; although on the face of it they appear to be aimed only at solicitors they do in […]
Robert Sanderson Joins The Practical Vision Network As Managing Director
The Practical Vision Network is proud to announce the appointment of Robert Sanderson, as Managing Director of the Group. The acquisition of Robert undoubtedly strengthens the senior leadership team and highlights the exciting journey the Group is ready to take. Robert started his legal career in the practice area of Wills, Trusts, Tax and Probate […]
Conveyancing Services Increase By 5% As Cost Of Moving Skyrockets
The cost of moving house has reached record levels with increases in Stamp Duty Land Tax and the average spend on conveyancing services rising considerably in the past year. According to the research, compiled by Reallymoving.com, the average cost of moving home in the UK now exceeds £10,414. This figure rises to£24,585 for movers in […]
Government Offer Historic High Streets Hope Of Revival
In a bid to quieten the voices claiming that the UK high street is dying, the Government has promised a £95 million cash injection to help revitalise 69 historic high streets. The funding will help redevelop and re purpose empty and underused buildings in locations like Plymouth, Scarborough, Wigan and London. Planning will ensure that […]