first-time buyers in a perpetual state of distress and dread
Despite Government incentives and plans to help ease the burden for first-time buyers, a recent report conducted by Aldermore, insists that many still struggle under the immense stress and pressure buying a property can place on a person. 52% of first-time buyers surveyed admitted that their health suffered because of the home buying process. This […]
Forecasts predict a short-term buoyant legal services market but medium-term slowdown
The recent Legal Services Sector Forecast report, published by The Law Society, indicates that the sector will enjoy a brief buoyant market, followed by a sustained slowing of growth. The short-term predictions look optimistic for legal service companies as 2018 real turnover of £29.1 billion indicates a 2.1% increase on 2017 figures of £28.5 billion. […]
The Law Society continue to condemn SRA amendments and proposals
Following The Law Society’s recent condemnation of the Solicitor Regulatory Authority’s (SRA) transparency reforms, The Law Society have now opposed the SRA’s plans to amend the Solicitors’ Handbook. In a recent letter to the Legal Services Board and a press release this morning, The Law Society have argued that the ‘Looking to the Future’ reform […]
Over-55s overwhelmingly reluctant to consider releasing equity in their homes
A recent survey, of over 300 respondents aged over 55, carried out by Moneyfacts has revealed that they are overwhelmingly opposed to seeking advice on equity release. 81% of those surveyed would not look for professional advice on equity release strategies. 44% of these, believe that they are able to complete the research and process […]
Your Conveyancer achieves Legal Eye Quality Standard
One of Scotland’s largest conveyancing firms has achieved the Legal Eye Quality Standard (LEQS). Your Conveyancer has achieved the accreditation, which is awarded by risk and advisory business Legal Eye, as a result of its dedication to embedding robust systems and training across the firm in order to drive excellent customer service. The LEQS is awarded to firms who have […]
we have joined a group – and it feels good
Humans are social creatures, we have an inherent need to belong, to feel part of a group and to be accepted by that group for who we really are. For me this rings so true, I love being part of a group! From a young child loving Brownies, to a student at University on the […]
Conveyancing Spotlight – Sort Legal LTD
Sort Legal LTD, a Derby based company specialising in providing access to legal and surveying services to the financial services intermediary sector through its cutting-edge online platform, is one of Derby’s fastest growing businesses. Following sustained success and growth, Sort Legal LTD is looking to expand its business even further. The recent recruitment open day […]
The Law Society angered by Restrictive Conveyancing Panels
The Law Society claim that conveyancing panel memberships, and the increasingly demanding standards needed to remain a panel member, reduce consumer choice, push-up consumer fees and should be investigated further. The Law Society has stated: “Where consumers wish to instruct a solicitor of their choice they may do so. However, if that solicitor’s firm is not a member […]
Blockchain Technology: The Brave New World of the Conveyancing Sector?
Proptech is a growing industry that is forcing legal service providers to consider how they interact and use technology to improve the property moving process; however, could latest technological innovations force us to redefine the way we view property ownership? The current land or property ownership model has existed for thousands of years. Land ownership […]
Why Law Firms Should and Shouldn’t Use Public Cloud
An increasing number of legal firms are looking to the cloud to deliver cost-efficiencies and flexibility, and many are becoming more confident with providers’ IT security and datacentre compliance capabilities. This shows a marked change in the industry as the cloud market matures and providers such as Microsoft Azure and AWS start to offer a secure, viable […]
New National Planning Policy Framework
You have to build a house before you can sell it, so conveyancing specialists will understandably be keen to know whether the Government’s newly published National Planning Policy Framework (“the NPPF”, July 2018) is going to facilitate the delivery of the new housing the country so badly needs. The NPPF – which replaces the previous version published in March 2012 – is not just […]
Rightmove Announces Summer Housing Price Cuts
Recent research, carried out by Rightmove price index, has shown that newly-marketed property suggests an asking price reduction of 2.3%, around £7,200 drop on the average price of a house. The statistics also highlight that sales are down by 0.8% when compared with August 2017. The 2.3% drop is a 0.2% increase from the 2.1% […]
Shoosmiths enjoys continued conveyancing growth
Following the law firm Shoosmiths recent opening of a new residential development practice in Manchester, the company have further announced that the Manchester branch continues to grow. The Manchester team at Shoosmiths, launched by Lisa Gibbs 15 months ago, have grown to a conveyancing team of nine specialists. Increasing client demand and sustained success could also […]
Telephone Quotes For Residential Conveyancing: Finding The Missing Millions
Telephone Quotes For Residential Conveyancing: Finding The Missing Millions – by Professor Ian Cooper, law firm skills trainer / consultant, Author of the ‘Financial Times Guide To Business Development’ Every single day most firms with a residential conveyancing department receive telephone calls from prospective clients who ask the question … “Can I have a quote […]
SRA and Legal Ombudsman Warn that legal services are not being transparent enough with complaints procedures
The word ‘transparent’ is quickly becoming common place in the conveyancing sector. Well, it has been used again with the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) and Legal Ombudsman’s (LeO) claims that legal service companies are not doing enough to signpost complaints procedures for customers. The LeO Refreshed and updated their guidance that was published in May, […]
Help to Buy statistics prove a success for first-time buyers
In a time when people are finding it increasingly difficult to save for a house deposit, recent Government statistics show that over 420,000 people have successfully bought homes using the various Help to Buy schemes. In particular, the Help to Buy ISA scheme has had a significant impact on savings. The scheme boasts that 196,007 […]
HM Land Registry reveal June land sales and price growth hit 5 year low
Although UK house prices continue to increase, they are rising at their lowest levels since 2013, according to the most recent HM land registry price index data. House prices increased by 3% in the month of June, this is down from 3.5% in May and replicates the lowest price increases of 2013. The average UK […]
Property Industry share views on One-click Conveyancing – Reality or Dream?
As the Government urges the conveyancing industry to reform the homebuying process to modernise an archaic process, what is the likelihood of ‘one-click’ purchase becoming a reality for home buyers? In April this year, the first digital mortgage deed was signed and registered at the HM Land Registry and filed by Enact Conveyancing and Coventry […]
Rising house prices are preventing young people from purchasing property
Today’s property market, much like the stereotypical bouncer of a weekend nightclub, is asking the young for their ID and then preventing them from purchasing property, according to a recent joint report carried out by the BBC and Institute for Fiscal Studies. The report compared today’s market of home ownership for 25-34-year-olds, against the market of 1995-1996. The results clearly and unsurprisingly […]
You Only Get One Chance to Make a First Impression
I was out walking with my son a few weeks ago, along our local high street. We are very fortunate to have endless options of coffee shops, all within a short walk of each other. On this particular day, I noticed that one of them had closed down. It was no real surprise and I […]