Alongside family and a job, a person’s home is one of the most important parts of anyone’s life. It is therefore only natural to find yourself becoming stressed during the conveyancing process. This blog written by Emma Soulby Trainee Solicitor with MJP Conveyancing, looks to give you some practical advice in order to make the process as stress free as possible.
1. Start early - in most cases the process will take longer than you anticipated. We recommend that you start looking for a solicitor at least three months before you would like to move. We are able to set up a file whilst you find a property to buy or consider offers. Although the conveyancing process takes 6 to 8 weeks on average, the smart move is to certainly give yourself flexibility to accommodate for any hiccups along the road and reduce the stress you are likely to experience.
2. Get organised - look for key documentation when selling to make the legal process as smooth as possible. This will help to cut down enquiries which form the middle stage of a transaction. When purchasing, get your finances in order so that your solicitor can complete their source of wealth checks in a timely manner and your lender, if applicable, can get their mortgage offer issued. If in doubt about what you need to do, speak with your solicitor to discuss the next steps to see if there is anything you can get on top of.
3. Don’t make your own pressure - far too often we come across clients who are living in boxes when contracts have only just been drafted! This undoubtedly causes unnecessary stress. To combat this, consider ensuring there will be sufficient time in between exchange and completion, such as 3 to 4 weeks, to allow you time to pack and to book removals. If you would like this, it is best to let all parties know as soon as possible so that the chain takes this into account when planning and discussing completion. In the same vein, we advise clients not to agree a completion date too early in the process. Having a date in mind at the start of the transaction leads to unrealistic expectations and frustration when a transaction may be progressing well but not in line with your target timeframe and dates inevitably have to be pushed back. Giving notice for rental accommodation before exchange of contracts, for example, is one of the worst things a client can do not least because it risks them being made homeless.
4. Try to keep communications with the other party to a minimum- you have a solicitor, and possibly an estate agent, for a reason: to act on your behalf. Texting the seller, for example, can sometimes cause stress as the individuals may not appreciate the legal complexities which are being dealt with before a completion date can be agreed. Similarly, please remember that you should not contact the other party’s solicitor. This is a conflict of interest and a breach of professional conduct rules.
5. Empty your plate - as one of the most important aspects of your life, it is astonishing when we sometimes find a client who is getting married or going on holiday at the same time as moving. This increases the pressure you will be feeling regardless of how the conveyancing process is going. Although circumstances cannot always be helped, do try to handle one matter at a time so that you can give it your full attention and experience as little stress as possible.
Emotions will always be a part of the moving process so these practical tips aim to give you an insight into the common pitfalls we see clients make as solicitors. Going into a transaction organised and with an open mind will make the process as stress free as possible.
MJP Conveyancing are solicitors who provide legal advice and services to clients based in England and Wales and who can be contacted on 01603877067 or via email at davidp@mjpconveyancing.com
