Top 5 Questions Home Buyers Ask - Answered by our Conveyancing Experts

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial and emotional investments you’ll ever make. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or moving up the property ladder, the legal side of buying a house—known as conveyancing—can feel daunting.

At Symes Bains Broomer, our conveyancing solicitors work with buyers across the UK every day. We’ve answered thousands of questions over the years, but five come up more than any others. In this guide, our experts tackle the most common home buyer questions—clearly, simply, and with practical advice.

The typical conveyancing timeline in the UK is 8–12 weeks, but it depends on several factors:

• Whether you’re in a chain
• How quickly searches are returned
• How responsive sellers and mortgage lenders are
• Any legal issues with the title or boundaries

To speed up the process:

• Provide ID and paperwork promptly
• Secure your mortgage offer early
• Instruct your solicitor as soon as your offer is accepted

We keep our clients informed every step of the way, so you’re never left in the dark about what’s causing a delay.

Your conveyancing solicitor handles the legal transfer of property ownership. This includes:

• Checking the contract and legal title
• Carrying out property searches (local authority, drainage, environmental)
• Dealing with your mortgage lender
• Exchanging contracts and completing the sale
• Paying Stamp Duty and registering the property with the Land Registry

We act as your legal guide, ensuring there are no surprises and that your rights are fully protected.

Typical conveyancing fees range from £700 to £1,500. You’ll also need to budget for:

• Property searches: usually £200–£400
• Stamp Duty (if applicable): varies by property value
• Land Registry fees
• Bank transfer charges

At Symes Bains Broomer, we offer transparent quotes with no hidden fees. We’ll explain your legal fees upfront so you can budget with confidence.

Freehold: You own the building and the land it sits on.
Leasehold: You own the property, but not the land. You’ll likely pay ground rent and service charges.

Leasehold properties come with additional legal documents that must be carefully reviewed. Your solicitor will:

• Check the lease length (avoid anything under 80 years)
• Review charges and responsibilities
• Identify any restrictions or rights affecting the property

We make sure you understand the implications so there are no nasty surprises after you move in.

Here’s what we watch for as part of our conveyancing process:

• Unregistered land: More common in rural areas; requires additional checks.
• Restrictive covenants: Legal rules stopping certain uses (like running a business from home).
• Boundary disputes: Disagreements with neighbours over fences or land.
• Missing building regulations or planning permissions: Especially for extensions or loft conversions.
• Delays in exchange and completion: Can result in financial loss or chain collapse.

With a professional solicitor, these risks can usually be identified and addressed before they become a problem.

• ✔ Ask About Title Indemnity Insurance: This can protect you against risks like missing building consents or legal rights of way. We’ll let you know when it’s worth considering.
• ✔ Get Your ID and Funds Ready Early: Anti-money laundering checks and source-of-funds requirements can delay progress. We’ll guide you on exactly what’s needed to avoid hiccups.

We’ve put together this guide based on real home buyer questions we hear every week. If you’re buying your first property, moving to a new home, or even purchasing a buy-to-let, our friendly team is here to help you through every step.

At Symes Bains Broomer Solicitors, we believe legal advice should be approachable, practical, and jargon-free. We’ll answer your calls, explain every document, and keep the process running smoothly so you can focus on what matters—your new home.

📞 Ready to get started?
Get a free, no-obligation conveyancing quote today or call us for a chat on 01724 281616.