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Residential Conveyancing

Whether you’re a first time buyer or an old hand at the property game AMS Solicitors Preston are here to help you through the process and make the purchase of your new home and / or the sale of an old home as painless and quick as is humanly possible. Our full range of services means we can assist you with freehold or leasehold properties, mortgages and re-mortgages, and schemes such as help to buy. Let us guide you through the property maze.

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Specialist Conveyancing Solicitors – Lancashire and Nationwide Between them our Conveyancing Solicitors have been providing friendly, efficient and professional legal advice and assistance for more than 30 years.

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We understand that any property transaction can be an extremely stressful time, whether you are a first time buyer or considering down-sizing for your retirement needs.

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Our specialist team are here to help you with:

- Selling your home

- Buying a home

- Re-mortgaging a residential property

- Transferring ownership of a property

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We have the experience and local conveyancing knowledge to ensure the whole process goes smoothly from start to finish, giving you one less thing to worry about.

Our Office is based conveniently in Fulwood, Preston – just minutes from the main motorway networks, and this – combined with our client friendly hours and easy contact details – make it easy for you to pop in to see your Solicitor whenever you need.

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Contact our Conveyancing Solicitors today

We are here to advise and assist you. We will give you a free quotation via telephone, email or post and provide a clear cost estimate. At AMS Solicitors Preston we are very proud of our reputation that our Conveyancing Solicitors have with

clients from across the UK. To find out more, call our Head of Department – Tasneem Ahmed – on 01772 653333 or by emailing tp@amssolicitors.co.uk

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Top Tips for First Time Buyers

The Property Team at AMS Solicitors Preston have put their heads together and compiled a list of our Top Ten Tips for First Time Buyers. Not just the legal stuff, but the practical things that we would have appreciated being told before buying our first home. Here goes …

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A house is “sold as seen”. Unlike a used car under warranty you can’t take it back if anything goes wrong. For this reason, you absolutely must obtain a professional survey of the property so that you know right from the outset if the shower leaks through the living room ceiling on a regular basis. And don’t forget to have an independent expert take a look at the central heating and electrics to ensure that everything is in good working order. Take someone with you to view the property who already owns their own property – they will also be able to point out any immediate problems! Finally check the sale particulars carefully.

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They might say that there is a garage but if the property is not included in the Title Deeds, then you won’t be buying a garage! Bills, bills, bills. In the old days, gas came from British Gas and electricity from Norweb. These days there are literally dozens and dozens of utility providers. Your Solicitor will ask the Seller to complete a Property Information form which will tell you who currently supplies the property. This will save you hours of fun trying to find out the current utility providers are. Shop around and research who will provide you with the best deal in the essentials before moving in.

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Guarantees and consents.

Make sure that you are provided with copies of all guarantees for items such as double glazing and damp proof course work at the outset. You also need to find out whether the guarantees can be transferred over to you and ensure that you follow the procedures outlined very carefully to avoid unnecessary expense Fixtures and Fittings. Check that items you think are fixtures and fittings really are! Sounds odd but nowadays a lot of kitchen units on the market can be free-standing and could be taken away by the Seller, leaving you with an empty kitchen. The Seller should provide you with a detailed Fittings and Contents form which will state precisely what is being left. Check

this carefully and keep a copy to hand when you move in.

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Check out the neighbours! Visit the area at different times of day so that you can gain an impression of how quiet or noisy the area is. Your Solicitor will obtain a local search but this will only relate to the property itself and will not reveal any information concerning neighbouring properties for example. Your Solicitor can carry out a “Know your

Neighbourhood” search which will provide you with additional information including proposals for development in the area.

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Mortgages.

Get the best advice possible – and read the small print. Make sure you are aware of any expensive penalty clauses and that you know whether the lender is entitled to make interest rate increases that could affect your budget, or whether your rate is fixed for a set period of time Rubbish. Agree in writing with the Seller that the loft, garage and garden shed will be emptied before completion

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Parking.

Don’t be afraid to ask the Seller where they park their car – and where visitors can park. Parking on the street causes an incredible amount of arguments so find out at the outset.

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Boundaries.

Good fences make good neighbours, and there is no worse time to find this out other than after a Force 8 Gale has ripped down your panel fencing! Your Solicitor will advise on the legal boundary structures but inspect the boundaries carefully before signing legal Contracts and report any discrepancies to your Solicitor immediately.