Shoosmiths enjoys continued conveyancing growth
Following the law firm Shoosmiths recent opening of a new residential development practice in Manchester, the company have further announced that the Manchester branch continues to grow. The Manchester team at Shoosmiths, launched by Lisa Gibbs 15 months ago, have grown to a conveyancing team of nine specialists. Increasing client demand and sustained success could also […]
Stewart Title Has Moved
Stewart Title Limited is pleased to announce that its head office has relocated to new premises in London’s Haymarket. “We’ve experienced growth in both policies underwritten and the recruitment of new underwriters, resulting in the review and update of our offices in London,” commented Stewart’s UK Country Manager, Stephen Smith. “Despite helping thousands of home […]
Rapidly growing population of older homeowners puts pressure on mortgage sector
A rapid increase of ageing homeowners has resulted in an influx of later life lending causing a strain on the current model of financial advice, according to a new report from the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA). Homeowners are now ageing at a faster rate than the UK population and developments in later life lending […]
Telephone Quotes For Residential Conveyancing: Finding The Missing Millions
Telephone Quotes For Residential Conveyancing: Finding The Missing Millions – by Professor Ian Cooper, law firm skills trainer / consultant, Author of the ‘Financial Times Guide To Business Development’ Every single day most firms with a residential conveyancing department receive telephone calls from prospective clients who ask the question … “Can I have a quote […]
SRA and Legal Ombudsman Warn that legal services are not being transparent enough with complaints procedures
The word ‘transparent’ is quickly becoming common place in the conveyancing sector. Well, it has been used again with the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) and Legal Ombudsman’s (LeO) claims that legal service companies are not doing enough to signpost complaints procedures for customers. The LeO Refreshed and updated their guidance that was published in May, […]
Help to Buy statistics prove a success for first-time buyers
In a time when people are finding it increasingly difficult to save for a house deposit, recent Government statistics show that over 420,000 people have successfully bought homes using the various Help to Buy schemes. In particular, the Help to Buy ISA scheme has had a significant impact on savings. The scheme boasts that 196,007 […]
HM Land Registry reveal June land sales and price growth hit 5 year low
Although UK house prices continue to increase, they are rising at their lowest levels since 2013, according to the most recent HM land registry price index data. House prices increased by 3% in the month of June, this is down from 3.5% in May and replicates the lowest price increases of 2013. The average UK […]
Property Industry share views on One-click Conveyancing – Reality or Dream?
As the Government urges the conveyancing industry to reform the homebuying process to modernise an archaic process, what is the likelihood of ‘one-click’ purchase becoming a reality for home buyers? In April this year, the first digital mortgage deed was signed and registered at the HM Land Registry and filed by Enact Conveyancing and Coventry […]
Rising house prices are preventing young people from purchasing property
Today’s property market, much like the stereotypical bouncer of a weekend nightclub, is asking the young for their ID and then preventing them from purchasing property, according to a recent joint report carried out by the BBC and Institute for Fiscal Studies. The report compared today’s market of home ownership for 25-34-year-olds, against the market of 1995-1996. The results clearly and unsurprisingly […]
You Only Get One Chance to Make a First Impression
I was out walking with my son a few weeks ago, along our local high street. We are very fortunate to have endless options of coffee shops, all within a short walk of each other. On this particular day, I noticed that one of them had closed down. It was no real surprise and I […]
SRA Risk Outlook 2018 and what it means for you: explained!
You may have seen our recent article about the two new key areas of concern raised by the SRA in their recently published Risk Outlook; Managing claims, and Cyber security. Along with a whole host of other observations and steers from the SRA within the Risk Outlook, it’s often difficult for busy practitioners to find […]
What does the flood of failing estate agents mean for conveyancers?
Following the news that primary estate agencies in England and Wales had shrunk by 3.09% within a year, doubts have been cast over the fate of the current conveyancing sector. It would seem that the successful conveyancer needs to consider a range of factors in order to succeed in the current market. Changing technology and […]
Stamp Duty Cuts for the elderly could free up family homes
The hornets’ nest, that Boris Johnson kicked up earlier this week, is raging on with many speculating on how to best improve the flow of housemovers. Once again the issue of stamp duty relief was high on the agenda with Lord Best, a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Housing and Care for Older People, of the opinion that the […]
The role of video in building trust
In recent years, much of content marketing shifted to video streaming. In 2005, as the oldest of millennials entered college, YouTube came onto the online scene and opened video expression to the masses, and as the company grew, more corporations create their own profiles. From fashionistas to singers, stars are born on YouTube. Other platforms […]
Long Leases and forfeiture – Again!
In February this year, I wrote about the various protections given to owners of long leasehold houses against their lease being forfeited for breach of the covenants in the lease. But I have been reminded that I did not deal with forfeiture for non-payment of the ground rent. And the case that was drawn to […]
Remortgaging levels soar whilst house purchasing slows
Recent figures, published by UK finance, have highlighted a clear correlation between the recent interest rate rises and the property market in June. The main headline figures are not fantastic reading for the month of June as all house buying statistics suggest that they are down on the month of June from 2017. The 34,900 […]
The Law Society vehemently opposes recent SRA reform proposals
A press release by The Law Society earlier today has firmly rejected the proposals made by the SRA into transparency reform because they would severely reduce consumer protections, rather than create transparency and increased choice. Christina Blacklaws, Law Society president said: “The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) appears to be pursuing a deregulatory agenda based on […]
Stamp Duty should be stamped out – at least temporarily
Whilst the world has been vilifying former foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, he has been berating current government policy concerning stamp duty. The article warned that young people are feeling beaten by capitalism, with more losing confidence in a system where it is so hard to actually ascertain property. Other […]
First-time buyers forced to pay record breaking deposits
Recent Halifax data has tracked the average national deposit for a first-time buyer at an unassailable £33,127. Staggeringly, this is a colossal increase of 71% when compared with the 2008 deposit figures of £19,364. In part, this is a product of steadily rising house prices. According to the recent figures, house prices have increased by […]
Tesco Remortgage range offering £1000 cashback
Through a new remortgage product, Tesco remortgage customers are being offered a cashback amount ranging from £250-£1000 or they can take advantage of a free conveyancing service. Julian Hartley, director of mortgages, savings and loans, said: “We are delighted to be offering cashback on a range of remortgage products, offering customers greater choice when they […]
