Buying a House: Conveyancing Solicitors

Are you buying a new home? Whether you’re a first-time buyer or moving up the property ladder, having the right legal support is essential for a smooth and stress-free purchase.

At Poole Alcock, we make conveyancing easy to understand. Our team has supported thousands of buyers across the UK, delivering accurate, on-time transactions. We provide full visibility of all conveyancing costs upfront, simply use our Conveyancing Calculator for an instant quote.

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Home » Residential Conveyancing » Buying a House

What does a conveyancing solicitor do?

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of property from one party to another. It involves a number of critical steps that must be handled with precision and care to ensure everything runs smoothly. Our conveyancing solicitors guide you through every stage of the property-buying process. Here’s how we help:

Verify identity & finances: We confirm your identity and source of funds to meet anti-money laundering regulations.
Review legal documents: Once we receive the seller’s contract pack, we thoroughly review the title deeds, property details, and protocol forms.
Conduct property searches: We carry out Local Authority, Environmental, and Water & Drainage searches to uncover potential issues.
Liaise with key parties: We work directly with the seller’s solicitors, mortgage lenders, and estate agents to coordinate timelines and resolve legal queries.
Exchange & completion: We facilitate the legal exchange of contracts, prepare your final financial statement (including Stamp Duty, Land Registry fees, and legal charges), and ensure registration with HM Land Registry.

Buying a home in five simple steps

From the first instruction to the moment you collect your keys, our conveyancers are here to support you every step of the way. We simplify the home-buying process into five clear stages:

1. Instruction Received – Submit your instruction forms, ID, and source of funds to get started.

2. Contract Pack Review – We receive and examine the seller’s legal documents and raise any queries.

3. Property Searches Conducted – We carry out standard searches to check for local authority or environmental risks.

4. Title Report Provided – Once all checks are complete, you receive a comprehensive title report and signing pack.

5. Exchange & Completion – Contracts are exchanged, a completion date is set, and the keys to your new home are handed over.

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Buying a new build property

Buying a new build home comes with its own set of challenges and legal requirements. With strict deadlines, builder agreements, and mortgage conditions to meet, having a solicitor who understands the complexities of new builds is crucial.

Our specialist conveyancing team is experienced in dealing with developers and mortgage providers. We review planning permissions, check for restrictive covenants, and ensure the home you’re buying complies with all regulations. Poole Alcock is accredited by the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme, a mark of excellence in residential conveyancing.

Whether you’re buying off-plan or nearing completion, we’ll ensure your transaction proceeds quickly and securely, so that you can move into your new home without unnecessary delays.

FAQs on buying a home

Property searches uncover any issues such as planning restrictions, flood risks, or drainage problems, helping you avoid unexpected costs or legal disputes.

A qualified conveyancing solicitor ensures all legal requirements are met, protecting your investment and handling the legal transfer of ownership. If you are mortgaging the property, in most cases we will also act for the lender, saving you legal fees and ensuring that the whole process is dealt with as efficiently as possible.

On average, a residential property purchase takes between 16-20 weeks, though timescales can vary. We’ll keep you informed at every stage.

We have a simple, straightforward pricing structure with absolutely no hidden fees. Use our online Conveyancing Calculator for an instant, no-obligation quote.