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Our conveyancing departments over the past 30 years are further complimented with our New Homes Division as we consider that new build and affordable housing acquisitions demand a specialist department to undertake the conveyancing for buyers.

Due to our expertise we represent buyers from all over the country receiving referrals from Developers and Housing Associations. Our lawyers are very familiar with the Government assisted scheme such as, Help to Buy and the variety of equity charge schemes offered by Developers.

Our modern forward thinking ethos is complimented with our belief in traditional values. Our clients are provided with direct telephone numbers and email addresses for their lawyer.   Our offices are open 9-5:30pm weekdays.

We personally visit the developments where we are acting for buyers in order that we are able to advise our clients and get a feel for the site itself.

Throughout the conveyancing transaction we provide in depth reports on every aspect of the transaction to include a full explanation of the transfer/lease, searches, title and mortgage offer.

We fully appreciate the timescales which are imposed at the time a reservation form is signed with a Developer and work very closely with our clients, the mortgage advisors and the Developers legal advisors to achieve the required timings.

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Frequently Asked Questions about New Builds

What questions should I ask about a new build?

Questions should include asking about other properties that the builder has completed, what is included in the new build purchase, what fixtures and fittings you are getting, whether you are purchasing the freehold or leasehold on the property, whether there are any maintenance charges, whether snagging is included in the purchase and whether the property comes with any sort of warranty for defects.

What should be included in a new build?

A new build property should come with high standards of insulation and fixtures and fittings, flooring, integrated appliances and fully-fitted bathrooms, all of which is included in the price of the property.

Do you need searches on a new build?

Yes, searches still need to be completed, such as checking the planning permission for the property, checking whether the property is a leasehold or freehold purchase and checking for restrictive covenants.

Will I have a fixed completion date on a new build home?

A new build developer should communicate a completion date with you, however due to delays in building works sometimes the date may move.

I have never bought a new property before, how does the process work?

A new build property purchase is similar to a normal property purchase, except you are purchasing the property from a developer rather than from another person.

What is exchange of contracts?

The exchange of contracts is the point at which the sale of the property becomes legally binding between the solicitors representing the two parties.

When do I pay my deposit to the developer?

The deposit is usually paid at the exchange of contracts, but when purchasing a new build property the developer will specify the payment terms in advance.

What is the Consumer Code for New Homes?

According to their website: “The Consumer Code for New Homes is a mandatory Code for Members which has been established to ensure that best practice is followed by registered Developers in respect of the marketing and selling of New Homes, and also sets expected standards for after sales customer care service.”

What is covered under a construction warranty?

A construction warranty will usually cover defects with a new build property for a limited period of time, which are the fault of the developer.

Will the new road and drains built by the developer be publicly maintained?

As part of the house-buying process, you should check whether the roads and drains will be covered by the council or covered under a private maintenance contract. If the contract is covered privately, it will be the responsibility of the residents to pay for repairs.

What is a Help to Buy equity loan?

The Help to Buy equity loan scheme is designed to help people on to the property ladder who may not have a big enough deposit to secure a mortgage.

What is part exchange?

A part exchange agreement is when you effectively “trade in” or offset the cost of the new property by transferring ownership of your existing property to the developer you are buying the new property from.

Contact the Franklins Conveyancing team

If you have any questions about conveyancing, please don’t hesitate to contact our team of experts who are on hand and ready to help you.