What is the conveyancing process steps for buyers and sellers?

The conveyancing process differs from case to case, but generally there is an order to it. Here’s a rough breakdown of what you can expect from conveyancing, whether you’re a buyer or seller!

1. 1. You agree the sale price with the buyer and you instruct your conveyancer to act for you. Evidence of identification (proof of person and proof of address) is needed such as your current passport, birth certificate or driver’s licence. Your conveyancer will ask you to complete and return a Property Information form, as well as a Fixtures, Fittings and Contents form.‌
      ‌
   2. Your conveyancer sends the draft contract and title documentation to the buyer’s conveyancer. The buyer’s conveyancer will then raise any additional enquiries they may have with the paperwork, which we will respond to.‌
      ‌
   3. Your conveyancer will ask your mortgage lender for a redemption figure. That means you’ll receive a completion statement showing the balance owed to you or the payments required from you (if there is negative equity).‌
      ‌
   4. The contract and Transfer Deed are sent to you for signing. Once a completion date is agreed, the contracts are exchanged and the deposit is received. Once contracts are exchanged, the completion date is set.‌
      ‌

Congratulations – you’ve now reached completion!

1. 1. The conveyancer sends you a questionnaire (and our comprehensive Buyer’s Guide if you use our conveyancing services) and a costs estimate. You’ll need to sign and return the questionnaire for us to proceed, along with monies for searches. We also need evidence of identification (proof of person and proof of address) such as your current passport, birth certificate or driver’s licence.
      ‌
   2. You agree the purchase price with the seller and you instruct your conveyancer to act for you. You contact your mortgage lender to apply for your mortgage. You then need to instruct a surveyor to carry out any surveys required.
      ‌
   3. Your lender will issue a mortgage offer and, once we get this, we will report to you on this. We’ll also send you a Mortgage Deed which you will need to sign (in the presence of an independent witness) and return to us.
      ‌
   4. We will receive the contract pack from the seller’s conveyancer. We will review the title and make any additional enquiries. We will also request the local authority search and other searches.
      ‌
   5. Once all enquiries have been satisfactorily dealt with We send a report on title to you, along with any associated documentation and also the documents that you are required to sign. You sign the Contract, Transfer Deed and any other documents you’re required to sign, and return these to us along with deposit (usually 10% of the purchase price).
      ‌
   6. When the completion date is agreed the contracts are exchanged and the deposit is transferred. Once the contracts are exchanged, the completion date is set.
      ‌
   7. We request release of mortgage funds from your lender and carry out pre-completion searches. The deposit is usually paid to the seller’s conveyancer. We send you the final completion statement, specifying the final balance required, which you need to transfer to us before the day of completion. We send the balance purchase monies to the seller’s conveyancer on completion. Once funds are received they confirm completion and release the keys via the Estate Agents.
      ‌

Completion! Enjoy your new home!

Ready to instruct a conveyancer? Look no further than the Birchall Blackburn Law conveyancing service!