Diary of a high street conveyancer: 23rd October 2023
As I often say, it is tough being a conveyancer. It is so dependent on many factors beyond our control and even as the process becomes more digitised, this does not get over the universal truth which is that we are dealing with people. They have their own ideas and plans as to when […]
Challenging times for conveyancers
It’s been a mixed few weeks at Aconveyancing. In the last six weeks alone, I’ve taken part in panel discussions, podcasts, webinars, roundtables. Loads of really exiting, proactive work alongside some very talented and inspiring people within our industry. It would be easy to think that on the face of it, I am a confident […]
The SRA AML Report – what does it mean for Source of Funds and what can you do about it?
Amidst a tide of new and updated legal anti-money laundering (AML) regulation, conveyancing remains very much the highest risk area. As part of this, failure to carry out Source of Funds (SoF) checks remains the second most common reason for an AML report to be received from the regulator. From the SRA report: “Understanding the […]
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder and how can it be managed?
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression brought on by a change in the seasons. Commonly triggered during the autumn or winter months when the days become shorter, the condition causes low mood and can be very debilitating. The reduction in the amount of sunlight during this time can negatively affect chemicals in […]
Understanding a Property Transaction at an Undervalue in Insolvency
If a business experiences financial difficulty and becomes insolvent, the appointed officeholder scrutinises the company’s financial affairs to identify whether antecedent transactions have been made. These are transactions conducted before, or at the time of insolvency, and are typically associated with fraudulent activity or attempts to avoid repaying the company’s creditors the monies they are […]
Conveyo: Oops we did it, again – to Exchange in Four Weeks!
Conveyo, the proptech company standing for instant residential property transactions, has marked a significant milestone by repeatedly completing property transactions in a four-week timeframe, underscoring Conveyo’s commitment to expediting property sales through innovative solutions. Conveyo’s approach is built on a foundation of comprehensive upfront information, ensuring that each property is legally sale-ready before it even […]
Unlocking Efficiency: Conveyo’s facilitates 4 weeks Property Sale
Introduction In the world of residential property transactions, efficiency and transparency have long been sought-after attributes. This case study delves into how Conveyo leveraged its unique approach to streamline a recent property transaction, showcasing the transformative impact of upfront information availability. The Challenge Conveyo was tasked by the buyer and the seller with facilitating the […]
Are Four-Week Property Transactions the New Norm?
Conveyo, the proptech company standing for instant residential property transactions, repeatedly achieved property exchanges in just four weeks, shattering previous industry timelines. The new approach by Conveyo has raised an intriguing question: is four weeks the new standard for property transactions? Traditionally, property transactions in the UK have often been associated with lengthy processes, with […]
A 12-step guide to law firm competitor analysis
Keeping an eye on your law firm’s rivals: A 12-step guide to law firm competitor analysis Does your firm keep a beady eye on what competitors are doing? While some law firms aspire to be trailblazers, they do so with a blind eye to the strategies of their counterparts. Competitor analysis is the compass that […]
Single first-time buyers struggle to buy a house of their own
Over the past two decades even though the percentage of new house purchase loans taken out by FTB’s has continued to increase, high house prices and affordability issues have meant that there has been a big reduction in the proportion of mortgages taken out by single first-time buyers. In 2006 the proportion of loans taken […]
Are we in the midst of a conveyancing cold war?
Half a century next year. 50 years of being heavily involved with conveyancing, conveyancers, and estate agents. As the saying goes, I would have got less time for murder! Those 50 years included moving from the 20th Century to the 21st Century, and the job and the conveyancing process is more difficult, challenging, and frustrating […]
Unlocking the potential of Upfront Information in conveyancing
Earlier this month, the newly-created Digital Property Market Steering Group (DPMSG) held its first conference and in a wide-ranging series of sessions there was plenty of positivity about what could be achieved by improved use of digital services within the conveyancing process, and a series of discussions about the potential barriers to change. As you […]
Seamless property transactions – vision or reality?
Conveyo is currently a participant in the Geovation Accelerator Programme – a programme backed by HM Land Registry and Ordnance Survey which provides geospatial and property technology (PropTech) start-ups with grant funding and 12 months of support. Why create Conveyo? Conveyo prepares properties to be legally ready before listing, making home sales more certain and […]
The Benefits of Upfront Information: Why Conveyancers Should Engage Homemovers Sooner
The requirement and desire for Upfront Information in the property sector is building momentum. With the National Trading Standards’ three-phase project on Material Information affecting estate agents well underway, there are many industry groups encouraging conveyancers to follow suit and provide information earlier in the homemoving journey. You have the Home Buying and Selling Group […]
Prioritising Client Care at the Centre of Conveyancing
Conveyancing is a legal maze that requires the guidance of professionals to navigate successfully. For most individuals the purchase of a property represents one of the most significant financial transactions in their lives. However, beyond the legalities and paperwork of property law, one aspect which has become crucial and very topical in recent years is […]
The Ombudsman’s Corner: September 2023
Our approach to unbundling The idea of “unbundling” legal services has been discussed in the sector for several years. In a nutshell, it’s where a service provider takes on only those aspects of work that are reserved legal activities, with their client undertaking the rest. Work variously carried out by the Legal Services Board, Legal […]
Auction is proof that upfront information is the key to speed and security
The industry has shared mixed feelings about the changes to Material Information, with Parts B & C expected to come into play from the autumn. Some are behind it and see the opportunity it brings, but some are dubious about the impact that it could have on transactions, and what it means for them from […]
Diary of a high street conveyancer: 4th September 2023
There are so many things that us conveyancing solicitors have to deal with. I often find myself writing about the same things, week in, week out – costs, enquiries, being kind to other solicitors – but I know that I am not alone in my musings. And then this week, I was greeted with a […]
The DPMSG is necessary – and it deserves the industry’s support
As we’re all acutely aware, there is no such thing as any sort of “Summer slowdown” when it comes to the focus on UK housing, and given the prominent position it holds from both an economic and political perspective, we should always anticipate new announcements, new legislation, new technological advancements, new attitudes towards it. August […]
Diary of a high street conveyancer: 21st August 2023
I had decided what I was going to write about this week, and I am sorry to say that it was fees. I then saw the results of Today’s Conveyancer’s poll and was struck by the answers given to the question: “what do you currently see as the key issues facing residential conveyancers?” “Low fees” […]