Conveyancing in Northumberland

What does conveyancing in Northumberland involve?

Conveyancing is the term used for the process of buying and selling property, including all the paperwork and legal formalities for buying, selling, remortgaging and transferring equity. A conveyancing solicitor in Northumberland will start the process on your behalf, including requesting searches, negotiating the price, exchanging contracts and transferring funds. Homeward Legal works with fully qualified solicitors for all conveyancing in Northumberland. There's more about our conveyancing services here.

How do I get a quote conveyancing in Northumberland?

Our online quote builder will give you an instant quote for Northumberland conveyancing services you need. Simply provide a few details about you and the property involved in your transaction and get a quote in minutes. Or you can call our team on seven days a week or request a callback for a time that suits you.

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

With first-class customer service and competitive quotes, Homeward Legal offers first-class service and competitive quotes, making us the best option for all Northumberland conveyancing services. Here are some other excellent reasons to choose Homeward Legal:

• The legal fee you are quoted for conveyancing in Northumberland will be exactly what you pay, with no hidden costs*.
• All the conveyancing solicitors we work with are regulated under the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers.
• We never use complicated or unnecessary jargon and explain the conveyancing process in plain English to ensure it's easy to understand.
• Our no-completion protection offer ensures you do not lose out if your transaction fails to complete for any reason.
• We always put the customer first. Our high customer satisfaction ratings are reflected in the hundreds of positive Trustpilot reviews we've received.

*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 Northumberland cost?

There is no simple answer to how much conveyancing in Northumberland will cost. As each transaction is unique, the final bill will depend on factors such as the value of the property involved or whether it is leasehold or freehold. A conveyancing transaction for a property purchase will include solicitors' and Land Registry fees and costs for a surveyor and Stamp Duty Land Tax*. You must also pay fees for searches and bank transfers. To calculate conveyancing costs in Northumberland, our guide to average conveyancing fees in 2020 covers all the crucial details.

*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 the best home-mover destinations in Northumberland?

There are lots of attractive locations within Northumberland, thanks to its natural beauty and the unspoilt nature of many towns and villages. Among the most sought-after are the market towns of Alnwick, famed for its castle, which featured in the Harry Potter movies, and pretty Morpeth, where upmarket shopping has transformed the area.

In the very north of the county is Berwick-upon-Tweed, the town that changed hands between Scotland and England several times during border skirmishes but has been resolutely on the south of the border since the 13th century. Its fortified town walls remain a testament to a turbulent history.

Northumberland's most popular coastal locations include Bamburgh (featuring yet another castle), Seahouses and Alnmouth, while Ashington's rail links make it a fashionable commuter choice. Inland, look to Rothbury and Corbridge.

How much is the average property in Northumberland?

Property prices in Northumberland vary depending on where you want to live, with seaside homes fetching higher prices. According to the latest data on sold property prices from the Land Registry, the average home costs £160,682 in Northumberland in 2020. That's well above the north-east average of £131,701 but well below the English average of £256,109.

Will conveyancing in Northumberland be slower for leasehold?

Some conveyancing for leasehold may take a little longer. In a leasehold property, the homeowner only owns the property and not the land on which it stands. The land remains in the ownership of the freeholder, who then leases it for a specific period, usually decades and sometimes centuries. A home buyer must be certain of their legal rights and how long they may be entitled to live in their new home. To protect your property purchase, a Northumberland conveyancing solicitor will request a leasehold information pack from the freeholder. Any delay in responding to this request will hold the transaction up because the purchase cannot be completed without it. We explain more in our guide to buying leasehold.

Which council has control of schooling in Northumberland?

Northumberland County Council is the local authority responsible for all state education in the county. There are also independent and academy schools. You can use the government's school comparison website to check the Ofsted ranking of your chosen school.

Is there an increased flood risk for property in Northumberland?

The Environment Agency has invested in major flood defences across Northumberland, including at Ponteland, Acomb and Morpeth. This reflects the concern over increased inland and coastal flooding not only in this county but nationally. For peace of mind, wherever you are buying, your Northumberland conveyancing solicitor will instruct a flood-risk search to reveal any potential threats. The Environment Agency guide to flood risk is a helpful resource for those looking to scout their local area before committing to a property purchase.

What searches do I need for Northumberland conveyancing?

A conveyancing solicitor for a Northumberland property purchase will conduct a series of searches to complete your transaction. Check out our helpful guide. The following searches may be particularly relevant to Northumberland conveyancing:

• Local authority search: Crucial for planning consents and information on conservation areas, such as Beverley Minster and Flamborough.
• Mining search: A crucial search for any Northumberland property purchase because of historic mining activity, which will reveal the location of mine shafts and tunnels.
• Environmental search: Shows contaminated land and pollution, vital for areas around Hull with a history of heavy industry.
• Chancel repair liability search: A historic charge that is related to responsibility for repairs to a Church of England parish church.

How good are transport links in Northumberland?

Much of Northumberland is rural, reflected in the lack of major road routes across the county. There are no motorways, but the A1 runs from north to south, connecting the county to Newcastle and to Scotland. The A69 is the main route from Newcastle to Carlisle, crossing the county from east to west.

The major rail connects are Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnmouth and Morpeth to Newcastle via the East Coast Main Line with onward connections to the rest of the country. The Port of Tyne at Newcastle offers ferries to Amsterdam, while Newcastle Airport offers international and charter flights.

There's public transport information on Northumberland County Council's website.