Conveyancing in Devon

What does conveyancing in Devon involve?

Conveyancing is the term used for all the paperwork and legal formalities that are part of the process of buying, selling, remortgaging or transferring equity from a property. For example, if you are buying a property in Devon, a conveyancing solicitor will request searches, negotiate the price, exchange contracts and transfer the funds on completion day. Our Devon conveyancing solicitors are all fully qualified professionals ready to get to work on your behalf. You can read more here on all Homeward Legal's conveyancing services.

How do I get a quote for conveyancing in Devon?

Get a quote for conveyancing in Devon in minutes using our online quote builder. Choose your required transaction and add some details about yourself as well as the property involved. You can talk through the quote by arranging a callback at a time that's convenient to you or call our team on . We're open seven days with late nights Monday to Friday.

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

Anyone who is buying, selling or remortgaging a home might find the idea of conveyancing stressful. That's why Homeward Legal is here to ensure your Devon conveyancing goes as smoothly as possible. Choose us because:

• The legal fee you are quoted for conveyancing in Devon will be exactly what you pay, with no hidden costs*.
• We offer no-completion protection, so you don't pay legal fees if your move fails to complete for any reason.

• We only work with fully qualified professionals regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers or the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
• We never use unnecessary legal jargon and always talk through the conveyancing process in plain English.
• We have received hundreds of positive reviews for Homeward Legal services on Trustpilot, a clear sign of our high customer satisfaction rating.

*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 Devon cost?

All conveyancing transactions are unique, which means the final bill depends on factors such as the value of the property and whether it is freehold or leasehold. A Devon conveyancing bill for a property purchase will include solicitors' fees, surveyor costs, Stamp Duty Land Tax*, Land Registry fees, searches and bank transfer charges. Check out our guide to average conveyancing fees in 2020 to gauge the costs involved in conveyancing for a Devon sale or purchase.

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

Where are Devon's best home-mover destinations?

Like its neighbour Cornwall, Devon has many hotspots for second homes. However, this county is also that little bit closer to the rest of England, making it an appealing location to raise a family and enjoy the Devon air.

The main hubs on Devon's south coast are the cities of Plymouth and Exeter and the historic seaside resort of Torquay. Close to Torquay and Teignmouth is the coastal village of Shaldon, recently named one of the UK's Best Places to Live for 2020 in the Sunday Times' listings. Other hotspots in the south of the county are the towns of Ashburton, Totnes and Kingsbridge, which are part of the South Hams district.

On the north coast, Barnstaple is the biggest town, and the other main draws around here are Ilfracombe and Woolacombe. If moors living is your thing, check out Moretonhampstead, Chagford and Honiton.

How much does an average property cost in Devon?

Property in Devon can be expensive, depending on whether you're looking for a rural or coastal location. According to the most recent sold property price data from the Land Registry, the average price of a home in Devon is £268,183. Dig a little deeper and the average property in Plymouth sells for £179,576 but in the sought-after South Hams area, the average sold property prices comes in at £302,747.

Is conveyancing in Devon slower when buying a leasehold property?

All property in England is either freehold or leasehold. Freehold means the property owner also owns the land on which the property stands. Leasehold means only owning the property and leasing the land for a specific period, with a lease usually running for decades or even centuries. There are around four million leasehold properties in England and Wales, making this a popular property tenure. Conveyancing for leasehold property in Devon may take longer because a solicitor must request a leasehold pack from the freeholder (landowner). Matters may be complicated further if the lease is close to expiry. We've prepared a detailed guide to buying leasehold. When you instruct a Devon conveyancing solicitor through Homeward Legal, they make the necessary enquiries for buying leasehold.

Which council has control of schooling in Devon?

There are nine local authorities across Devon with responsibility for delivering education services falling on Devon County Council. The county also has a large selection of independent, selective and academy schools. You can find out the Ofsted ranking of your chosen school on the government schools comparison website.

Is there increased flood risk in Devon?

Increased rainfall and more frequent storms have raised the flood risk in many areas of England, and Devon has been the scene of several flash flood events recently. To ensure you're fully informed of any flood risks, ask your Devon conveyancing solicitor to instruct a flood-risk search. The Environment Agency's own guide to flood risk is a helpful resource.

What searches do I need for Devon conveyancing?

A Devon conveyancing solicitor will conduct a series of searches to complete your transaction. We've prepared a helpful guide. The following searches may be particularly relevant to Devon conveyancing:

• Mining search: Devon's history of copper and tin mining makes this a vital search to identify the location of old mining shafts and tunnels.

• Local authority search: Crucial for planning consents and information on conservation areas.
• Environmental search: Shows contaminated land and pollution.
• Chancel repair liability search: A historic charge related to responsibility for repairs to the Church of England parish church.

What are Devon's transport links like?

Exeter St David's links Devon passengers to London Paddington (two hours) and to Birmingham (three hours). Plymouth to London Paddington takes around three hours by train. Locally, the Riviera Line links Exeter with Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot and Torbay. The Tarka Line connects north and south Devon, Barnstaple to Exeter, with the Avocet Line linking Exmouth and Exeter and the Tamar Valley Line running from Plymouth to Bere Alston and Gunnislake.

The M5 connects Exeter to Bristol and Birmingham, with A roads linking to the rest of the county. Exeter Airport offers international flights. Devon County Council has information on public transport across the county.