Well known as one of the most stressful experiences you can undergo, buying a home is no walk in the park. That being said, a large part of the stress and frustration involved in home purchasing is due to the sheer amount of time various elements of the process can take.

Conveyancing has the potential to be one of these if not carried out effectively, as there are several areas where complications can slow down progress. This also means there are opportunities to ensure the work of conveyancing happens as smoothly and quickly as possible.

Agreements in principle

Almost all home buyers will require a loan in the form of a mortgage to purchase a property and securing one is not an instant process, it can take several weeks. The majority of lenders will offer you something called an “agreement in principle” if you contact them to discuss your intention to purchase a property and share a few details about your current financial situation.

This is even more essential at the time of writing as in 2022, the BBC reports increasing numbers of people failing to secure a mortgage with a reduced number of lending deals available  An agreement in principle is proof that you have the means and are serious about house buying, which will speed up many steps in the conveyancing process.

High quality conveyancers

The next step is to secure a trustworthy and reliable conveyancer. As the experts handle the legal aspects of the entire process and move, it is crucial to find a conveyancer with a good reputation and the right credentials. Not only this, but fast conveyancing is made possible by more experienced conveyancers who have access to the necessary resources for performing searches and checks as well as their use of technology to facilitate quick transfer of information such as signatures between parties.

Surveys

Surveys are another key area that it is necessary for a conveyancer such as Sam Conveyancing to have sight of before moving forward, and this can take time. Many home buyers are unaware that there are multiple types of surveys with varying levels of detail and use.

A building survey is the most comprehensive and usually requires a structural engineer in addition to a surveyor. They take longer to produce as a result. Meanwhile, a home buyer’s survey is a little less comprehensive, but always includes a valuation (as not all building surveys do) and covers the majority of key areas buyers need to ensure are checked.

Finally, if you’re short on time, your mortgage lender will sometimes offer to include an integrated survey and valuation. While convenient, be aware that this can result in a change in valuation if the lender is being conservative.

Communication

Ultimately, the other key area that can either slow or hasten the conveyancing process is communication. Keeping in regular contact with your lender, surveyors, the seller, the estate agent and your conveyancer, while keeping all parties in the loop of decisions and updates will enable everyone to act promptly in response to a lot of information. Of course, you only have control of your side of the process, but setting an example by giving and requesting regular updates can both speed and ease this significant life step.