Conveyancing in Cheshire

What does conveyancing in Cheshire involve?

When you buy, sell, remortgage or transfer equity from a property, conveyancing is the term used for the paperwork and legal formalities that are part of the process. For example, when buying a home in Cheshire, a conveyancing solicitor will request searches, negotiate the price, exchange contracts and transfer the funds on completion day. The conveyancing solicitors we work with in Cheshire are fully qualified professionals whose job is to do all the legal work on your behalf. Find out more on Homeward Legal's conveyancing services here.

How do I get a quote conveyancing in Cheshire?

Getting a quote for conveyancing in Cheshire could not be simpler. Head for our online quote builder, enter a few details about yourself, the transaction and the property, and you'll receive an instant quote. Or you can call us direct on to chat through your conveyancing options. For your convenience, we are open seven days a week and can arrange to call you back at the best time for you.

Why should I choose a Cheshire conveyancing solicitor through Homeward Legal?

Whatever transaction you need, conveyancing can often seem complicated. We are here to guide you through the process and ensure your move runs as smoothly as possible. Here is why you can depend on us:

• The legal fee you are quoted for conveyancing in Cheshire will be exactly what you pay, with no hidden costs*.
• Should your move fall through, our no-completion protection ensures there are no legal fees to pay.

• All of the fully qualified professionals we deal with are regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers or the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
• We explain everything in plain English with no jargon, so you understand each part of the conveyancing process.
• We are delighted to have received hundreds of positive reviews on Trustpilot, showing how highly our customers value what we do for them.

*Your quote from Homeward Legal will cover common conveyancing costs in line with the information you've provided to us. Depending on the specific circumstances of your transaction, and after discussion with your solicitor, there may be additional non-standard fees which would be in addition to the fee quoted by Homeward Legal.

How much does conveyancing in Cheshire cost?

There is no simple answer to this question because the final price will depend on factors such as the value of the property or if it is leasehold or freehold. When buying or selling in Cheshire, conveyancing could include such charges as solicitors' fees, land registry fees, searches, surveyors' fees, Stamp Duty Land Tax* and more. For more information, we're prepared a guide to average conveyancing fees in 2020.

*In July 2020, a stamp duty holiday was announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak. This applies to properties up to a value of £500,000 in England and Northern Ireland until March 31, 2021.

Where are Cheshire's best home-mover destinations?

Famous for being the location of choice of the north-west's highly paid footballers, the “golden triangle” of Wilmslow, Prestbury and Alderley Edge is, without doubt, the most sought-after spot for home movers in Cheshire.

Don't forget Altrincham, the town that took the No.1 spot in the Sunday Times' 2020 Best Places to Live, and Bollington, which was the north-west's regional winner this year.

In the west of the county, Chester itself and Ellesmere Port offer more affordable properties, while other appealing locations on the River Mersey include Widnes and Runcorn. In the north of Cheshire, Warrington is perhaps the best placed for transport links.

How much is a typical property in Cheshire?

With footballer salaries, come millionaire prices. And many areas of Cheshire frequently feature among the most expensive streets or with the most expensive property in popular estate agent listings. However, those with a more realistic budget can still shop around for an affordable place to live in Cheshire. Check out the Land Registry's monthly data on sold property prices for Cheshire. The most recent figures show the average price of property sold in Cheshire West and Chester was £208,901 and in Cheshire East, the average sold price was £228,170.

Will buying a leasehold property slow down conveyancing in Cheshire?

England has two main types of property ownership tenure: freehold and leasehold. In leasehold, the property owner owns only the building and not the land on which it stands. This land is instead lease for a specific period, usually decades but sometimes much shorter. In England and Wales, there are around four million leasehold properties, meaning this is a popular tenure. However, conveyancing for leasehold can be held up by a slow response to the solicitor's request for a leasehold information pack from the freeholder (landowner). We explain more about conveyancing for leasehold in our informative guide. When you instruct a Cheshire conveyancing solicitor through Homeward Legal, they will ask about the property's tenure and explain what is required to ensure the transaction can proceed smoothly.

Which council is responsible for schools in Cheshire?

The county is split into two local authorities, each with responsibility for state education in their area: Cheshire West and Chester, and Cheshire East. There is also a large number of private and independent schools across the county. For more information on how schools and colleges across Cheshire are rated by Ofsted, check out the government's school comparison website.

Is there a flood risk to property in Cheshire?

Increased heavy rainfall and the proximity to the River Mersey means some areas of Cheshire may be at risk of flooding. No matter where in the county you are thinking of buying a home, talk to your Cheshire conveyancing solicitor about a flood-risk search, which will reveal any potential threat from all types of flooding. The Environment Agency's own guide to flood risk across England is a helpful resource.

What kind of searches will I need for conveyancing in Cheshire?

Your Cheshire conveyancing solicitor will talk you through which conveyancing searches are essential. For example, a mining search may be crucial for any Cheshire property purchase because of historic and current salt mining and brine pumping. We've created our guide to all the searches that are important in conveyancing. You can read in more detail about:

• Local authority search: Important for planning and information on conservation areas.
• Environmental search: Reveals details of contaminated land and pollution, particularly important where there has been industrial activity and brownfield land development.
• HS2 search: The route of the high-speed rail link from London to Birmingham and Manchester will go through Cheshire. A Cheshire conveyancing solicitor will instruct this search to ensure any property purchase is unaffected by the project.
• Chancel repair liability search: This historic charge may be rare but failing to reveal if your new home has a responsibility for repairs to the local Church of England may leave you well out of pocket.

Is Cheshire a good location for commuters?

Cheshire's location in the north-west of England gives it ideal connections by both road and rail. The historic rail town of Crewe ensures all major rail services pass through Cheshire, ferrying passengers south to Birmingham and London, west to Wales and north to Liverpool, Manchester, the Lake District and Glasgow.

The M6 motorway connects Cheshire north and south, with the M53 leading to Liverpool and the M56 and M62 connecting Greater Manchester and beyond to Yorkshire. Both Manchester and Liverpool airports are within an easy drive of all areas of Cheshire. There's more information on public transport from Cheshire East and Chester Council and from Cheshire East Council.