Do I Need Conveyancing Searches?

If you are buying a new home for the first time, you may be feeling a little lost or even overwhelmed. That’s completely normal as a first-time buyer. This is why the conveyancing team here at Burgh Thorpe Solicitors are here to help you. We can talk you through and support you with every step of the conveyancing process. There is no such thing as a silly question, so don’t be afraid to ask away. In this blog post we look at conveyancing searches. We talk about what they are, why they are needed and how long they take. Don’t forget, if you have any other residential conveyancing questions, just ask.

What Is a Conveyancing Search?

Conveyancing searches are enquiries that are make by your conveyancing solicitor. These are done on your behalf. Our conveyancers will contact carious authorities to find out more about your home to ensure you know everything that there is to know.

Do I Need a Conveyancing Search as A Cash Buyer?

If you are a cash buyer, you can decide to proceed with the purchase of your house without conveyancing searches. However, this is not recommended. There may be unexpected surprises in your home that you wouldn’t be aware of until it’s too late.

What Does the Conveyancing Search Show?

When purchasing your next home with a mortgage, you must undertake all conveyancing searches. This means that you and the mortgage advisor would know if the property floods regularly and could be hard to insure. You will know if there is an unstable mineshaft running under your property. The searches will show you if there is any debt attached to the property, which you could inherit as the new home owner.

The searches will also see if the property sits on land that has been used for industrial purposes previously. This means that you will know if the land could be contaminated with chemicals, asbestos, solvents and similar concerning ‘treats’. The searches will also report if there is a new housing estate, road, wind farm or factory planned in the nearby area. By being aware of this, you can be prepared for the impact on your home. At this point you could negotiate a lower price due to the impact, or stop the house purchase process, if you choose.

How Long Do the Searches Take?

It really is dependent on the local authority and how much work they have as to how long the searches may take. Generally speaking, a conveyancing search will take between 4 and 6 weeks. Sometimes it can take up to 10 weeks. However, if you are lucky, it can be done within 2-3 weeks.