Making the Most of Your Initial Appointment Call
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, excited about purchasing your first home; have purchased a property previously or are an experienced Landlord looking to expand your Buy To Let portfolio – most home buyers are required to instruct a Conveyancer to manage the conveyancing process.
First Steps
The various aspects of your Conveyancing transaction can be consolidated into several manageable steps from initial instruction through to completion. However, if you have chosen to read this article; you have no doubt resolved to instruct a Conveyancer to manage and advise you on the various aspects of the process and your expectations through to completion. At LPL we pride ourselves on our service with clients at the heart of everything we do.
Let us take a moment to think about the most important step in a property transaction. For clients this will undoubtedly be the completion date of their Conveyancing contract. And why not? Completing on the purchase of a property enables the client to pick up the keys to their dream home. But completion is also the result of much effort and due diligence on the part of their Conveyancer.
For Conveyancers, the most important part of the purchase is the initial telephone call or meeting with their client at the beginning of the transaction. A thorough introduction will set expectations and go a long way in helping the transaction to move forward as smoothly as possible. This article provides some guidance on how you, as a client, can obtain the most out of the initial telephone call with your Conveyancer at LPL.
Preparing for Your Initial Call
Prior to the call, you will be required to complete an initial questionnaire and provide Identification documents. At this stage in the transaction you will be looked after by our friendly colleagues within the LPL New Business team. They will be able to answer any queries you may have regarding the submission of your documents.
LPL utilise a cloud-based system so the whole process can be completed remotely. Clients can upload their initial documents directly into our secure portal and communicate directly with their Conveyancer electronically and by telephone. Therefore, wherever you are located geographically, you can conduct your transaction from the comfort and convenience of your own home.
Your Initial Documents
The first step in the transaction is to complete our online initial purchase questionnaire which will form the basis of our instruction. This document will ask you to confirm basic details about yourself, the transaction and the source of the funds which you intend to use to complete the purchase.
It is important that you provide as much detail as possible when explaining the source of your funds. Law firms are subject to Anti-Money Laundering regulations and it is vital that you provide us with documentary evidence of the source of your funds in order that we review them prior to the call and address any potential issues at the earliest opportunity.
You will receive guidance in the initial correspondence regarding the evidence we require. For example, a first-time buyer would need to provide at least 3 months’ worth of bank statements and payslips when using funds from your own savings. If your funds are from a source other than your OWN savings, i.e a gift or monies you have inherited directly from someone, please state this clearly in your questionnaire and be prepared to ask any relevant third parties for further documentation.
Providing as Much Information as Possible
The more information you provide prior to the call will ensure that your Conveyancer is able to review your file and advise if any further evidence is required at this early stage in the transaction. The earlier this is completed, the less likely it is that the approval of your initial documents will cause a delay to your transaction.
Prior to the call it is advisable to make a note of any questions you would like to ask your Conveyancer. Whilst they can address any initial concerns and queries you may have, please be prepared for the fact that some questions can only be fully responded to upon receipt of information from other parties. Your Conveyancer will advise you if this is the case.
The Most Important Step: The Initial Call
A good introductory call with a client can take up to 45 minutes to complete and it is important that you set some time aside in order that both Conveyancer and client(s) start the transaction on the right note: with the Conveyancer having full instructions and correct information from the client and the client receiving guidance on the process, the next steps and what is required in order to progress your transaction.
It is advisable to make your Conveyancer aware of any requirements you may have in relation to completion dates. For example, if you currently reside in rented accommodation, it is important to inform your Conveyancer of the notice period required in order to end your tenancy which may need to be considered when suggesting a completion date. Although in such a situation it is your responsibility to ensure that you have adequate time remaining on your tenancy agreement or alternative accommodation before completion is agreed, your Conveyancer can provide any guidance you require.
I hope the above has highlighted the importance of effective communication in order to make your experience as good as it possibly can be.
If you have any questions or require any further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch with one of our experts on 0333 305 5189 or email at info@lpropertylawyers.co.uk
