Choose JMS solicitors for your conveyancing and you can be confident that you are in safe hands. Based in Manchester our dedicated team of conveyancers work efficiently and quickly to ensure that your transaction is as smooth as possible.
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Our ethos is very much about customer service and we pride ourselves on the high standard of service we provide. Our professional, friendly, approachable and dynamic team work hard behind the scenes, removing as much stress as possible out of the house moving process.
At JMS Solicitors we believe that all conveyancing matters should be handled with the minimum of fuss or delay. We strive to be competitive whilst maintaining the highest levels of customer service - always at the end of the phone/email to update, discuss, and reassure.
Naturally there are always matters beyond our control - for instance where there is a chain of buyers and sellers, but by being proactive and efficient, JMS minimise the stresses of moving house. With our Low Fee Guarantee Service, starting at £50 plus VATif the unthinkable should happen and the purchase or sale of your house falls through, then you will have peace of mind that you will have nothing further to pay for our conveyancing services.
Whether you are buying or selling residential property or commercial property entering into a commercial lease or simply re-mortgaging your home, JMS Solicitors make all your conveyancing needs simple.
With our fixed cost system you will know exactly how much you have to pay. Our prices are transparent and competitive with no hidden extras - we do not make additional charges for completing forms.
We have many satisfied Clients and have exceeded their expectations and here is what a few have had to say about us:
"Our experience of other solicitors hasn’t been too good in the past. The last time we moved house, the conveyancing took an eternity and we had no feedback at any stage in the process. So we were delighted with the response we had from JMS Solicitors when we moved from Yorkshire to Swansea recently. Their attention to detail was superb and they made every effort to ensure that our move went smoothly. They also kept us updated with progress at every step of the way – we even started to look forward to their calls! It was such a relief to know that the conveyancing was being handled so professionally; JMS Solicitors really did take all the hassle out of our move."
Chris and Jo Marshall
"I have recommended JMS for over 5 years and find that my clients are extremely satisfied with their professional yet personal service. As a Mortgage Broker it is vital that our clients receive not only a professional and friendly service from us, but also from the Conveyancer who finalises the whole process. I have no hesitation in using JMS for my own legal matters, and in recommending them to my clients."
Michelle Morrison
For more information about our conveyancing services please call us on Freephone 0800 781 7057 or alternatively complete our enquiry form.
If you are looking for conveyancing solicitors whether in Manchester or across the UK then JMS are here to help. More information about our services can be found below.
A qualified and experienced solicitor will take responsibility for your conveyancing and you will be given their direct telephone number and email address as a contact point. They will always be available to discuss your case and will be involved in your transaction from start to finish. In the event you are unable to speak to anyone when you call, for whatever reason, your call will be returned at the very earliest opportunity.
We use a fixed fee system. When you contact us for a quotation, we will give you an exact charge for legal fees and searches. You do not have to be concerned that you will be charged every time you wish to speak to your solicitor. You can also rest assured that the fee we quote to you is competitive, and more importantly, is the fee you will actually pay!
We are confident that the services we offer, coupled with the competitive fees we charge, are second to none.
This is one of the most common questions. The answer depends on a number of factors such as how long the chain is, whether others in the chain have existing or new mortgages to obtain and how quickly information is provided by the other side.
Our aim is to have everything ready as soon as possible so you can move as soon as all parties in the chain are ready. We regularly undertake work for a variety of investors where time is of the essence. A purchase instruction received on the Monday can be completed within the week where all parties and their solicitors work together to achieve this.
The business generated by existing satisfied clients and their family/friends counts for a large percentage of all our new business. Please click here to read some of the endorsements we have received from satisfied clients.
In the last budget the Labour Government introduced SDLT relief for first time buyers. Those who qualify will not have to pay SDLT on residential properties in England and Wales costing up to £250,000 until March 2012.
HM Revenue and Customs have strict criteria as to who qualifies as a first time buyer. To qualify as a first time buyer you must NOT have ever:
HM Revenue and Customs definition of a first time buyer is "a person who has not acquired a freehold or leasehold interest in residentital property in the UK (except a lease with less than 21 years to run) or an equivalent interest anywhere in the world." Also you "must intend to occupy the property as your only or main residence". Therefore you cannot claim relief on second homes, investment or buy-to-let properties.
The penalty for those trying to exploit the system who do not qualify is up to £5000.00 as well as the SDLT payment.
Moving home or property can present you with a lot of legal terminology that you may not have encountered before. At JMS Solicitors we try and make this the least of your worries with jargon busting of some common terms below:
Chain:
This is where the buyer and the seller are dependent upon other buyers or sellers to complete a move in order for them to move.
Completion date:
The date when all transactions relating to the purchase/sale of a property are completed. Only when all contracts have been exchanged can you set a date to move. Trying to push for an early completion date to hurry up the legal process can often lead to frustration, especially if you are involved in a chain and therefore dependent on other parties processes.
Completion statement:
A statement provided by the legal team acting for the buyer/seller detailing monies to be paid by the buyer/seller. The statement includes the property purchase/sale price plus all other costs.
Conditions of Sale:
The terms by which the buyer/seller determine their rights.
Contract:
The legally binding agreement specifying all of the detail of the property purchase or sale. The contract is a legal commitment from both the buyer and seller to the transaction. The seller's legal team draws up two copies of the same contract, and each party signs their own copy. When both parties are ready to legally commit, the two contracts are exchanged.
Conveyancer:
The Property Lawyer who manages all of the matters arising from the purchase/sale of a property. This can also be a Licensed Conveyancer or a Solicitor.
Conveyance:
The legally binding document that transfers the rights to land or property.
Council for Licensed Conveyancing:
A regulatory body for the conveyancing industry.
Deeds:
Legal title document which provides ownership held by the mortgage lender, e.g. Bank or Mortgage Company. Released on full repayment of the loan.
Deposit:
Often the deposit is thought of as the part of the purchase price that the buyer is putting down him/herself (i.e. usually the difference between the amount of the mortgage and the purchase price). When the legal team talks about the deposit they are talking about the money that is handed over to the seller's property lawyer upon exchange of contracts. Often these two amounts are not the same.
Disbursements:
Fees paid by the legal team on the buyers behalf such as stamp duties, land registry charges and search fees.
Easement:
A right given to the property owner over an adjoining property (e.g. right of way).
Exchange of contract:
The signing of the contract by the buyer/seller. This is the point that both parties are committed to the transaction.
Fixtures and Fittings:
A list of the items at the property being sold which are either included or excluded from the agreed price.
Freehold:
Ownership of the land on which property is built.
FSA:
The financial Services Authority is an independent government body concerned with consumer protection in the financial market.
Gazumping:
When the seller accepts a higher price offer from another buyer after the initial offer has been accepted.
Gazundering:
When the buyer lowers their offer after the sale has been agreed.
Indemnity insurance:
Insurance taken out by conveyancing firms to cover losses to clients arising from errors or fraud in dealing with their matters.
Land Registry:
The official body responsible for recording the ownership of land.
Land registry fees:
Fees paid via the legal team on the buyers behalf to register the ownership of property with the Land Registry. Fees as of 6th July 2009:
Value of property £0 - £50,000 Fee = £50, £50,001 - £80,000 Fee = £80, £80,001 - £100,000 Fee = £130, £100,001 - £200,000 Fee = £200, £200,001 - £500,000 Fee = £280, £500,001 - £1,000,000 Fee = £550, £1,000,001 and over Fee = £920
Lease Options:
Until recently Lease Options have been more widely used in the Finance Sector to trade in shares, land and commercial property. More property investors and buyers have utilised this facility in the residential market to benefit landlords and tenant buyers.
Leasehold:
The ownership of property for a specified period in return for a rental payment subject to terms and conditions.
Licensed Conveyancer:
A Licensed Conveyancer is a specialist property lawyer, someone who is trained and qualified in all aspects of the law dealing with property. Licensed conveyancers are sufficient to secure adequate protection for consumers and that the conveyancing services provided by such persons are provided both economically and efficiently.
Mortgage:
A loan to help you buy a property. The mortgage is attached to the title deeds to prevent the property being sold without paying it off in full.
Mortgage Deed:
The legal charge to the mortgage lender until such time as the loan is repaid.
Mortgage Fees:
Normally charged by a legal team for acting on behalf of your bank or building society.
Redemption Fee:
A penalty which can be incurred by your existing mortgage lender if you pay off your mortgage early or you move to a different mortgage provider.
Searches:
A method of checking matters that may affect the status of the property. Local Authority Searches cover items such as road maintenance, planning applications etc. The search covers the property not the surrounding area.
Stamp duty:
A government tax payable by every buyer of a property. Rates are currently as follows:
Residential land or property SDLT rates and thresholds*
Purchase price/lease premium or transfer value up to £175,000 (until 2 Sept 2009) - Zero, over £175,000 to £250,000 - 1%, over £250,000 to £500,000 - 3%, over £500,000 - 4%
Non-residential land or property rates and thresholds*
Purchase price/lease premium or transfer value (non-residential or mixed use)rate up to £150,000 - annual rent is under £1,000 - Zero, up to £150,000 - annual rent is £1,000 or more 1%, over £150,000 to £250,000 - 1%, over £250,000 to £500,000 - 3%, over £500,000 - 4%
*correct Apr 2009. There are circumstances where the property or buyer may qualify for stamp duty relief, e.g. disadvantaged areas, charities, registered social landlord (check www.hmrc.gov.uk for comprehensive details and current rates and threshold)
Structural survey:
A survey giving details about the property’s structure.
Subject to contract:
A provisional agreement between the buyer and the seller that is not legally binding.
Transfer document:
The final document that transfers the property from the seller to buyer.
Valuation Survey:
A survey to allow a property value to be determined for mortgage purposes.
JMS are a firm of solicitors based in Manchester. If you are looking for conveyancing services please complete the form below.
Click to submit this form. One of our solicitors will be in contact with you shortly - or just call Freephone 0800 781 7057 for an instant quote.
Residential conveyancing activity across the UK is likely to become more frequent towards the end of 2011 thanks to increased confidence among lenders.
This is the view of Metropolitan Home Ownership (MHO), which has suggested that as long as interest rates remain low, the property industry should witness resurgence.
Currently, first-time buyers are said to be looking at more affordable ways of getting a foot on the property ladder.
Mortgage lending to home buyers picked up again in June, the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) says.
Its figures showed that there were 52,000 new loans granted to home buyers, 19% more than in May and up 14% on the same month a year ago.
The CML said activity was "still on an upward trajectory" and described the rise in June as "significant".
However, the lenders' organisation said it was still cautious about the prospects for the coming months.
UK house prices have continued to stabilise, according to the latest report from the Halifax.
Prices rose 0.6% in July, the Halifax said, reversing a fall seen in June, but values have changed little since the start of the year.
The annual house price inflation rate fell from 6.3% to 4.9%, with the average property now costing £167,425.
House prices rose again in June but only by 0.1%, according to the Nationwide building society.
The rise follows a 0.5% increase in May, with the average property in the UK now costing more than £170,000.
Prices have risen by 3% since the start of the year, the Nationwide's house price index showed.
However, the rate of annual house price inflation fell again to 8.7%, with prices rising more slowly than they did this time last year.
New rules to protect struggling mortgage holders have been outlined by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).
The rules seek to help people who have fallen behind on their mortgage payments, with the FSA saying they must be treated fairly by lenders.
The FSA also wants to ensure all mortgage advisers have been approved as "fit and proper" persons.
It has also announced new rules for staff and firms operating in the "sale and rent back" market.
Mortgage lending continued its spring rise into May, according to the British Bankers' Association.
The number of mortgages approved for house purchases rose to its highest level so far this year.
A total of 36,709 loans were approved by the major banks for people buying a property during the month.
It was the third month in a row of rising mortgage approvals, and left the amount outstanding 4.3% higher than in May 2009.
The BBA represents the High Street banks, which account for 75% of new mortgage lending.
Source: BBC News
More homes are being put up for sale in England and Wales because of the abolition of Home Information Packs (Hips), surveyors say.
The latest survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) found a "sharp increase" in new instructions from would-be sellers.
Twenty-two per cent more surveyors reported a rise in prices than reported a fall in the three months to May.
However, the number of completed sales fell by 5%, to just 17 per surveyor.
Mortgage lending crept up in April compared with the previous month, according to the Bank of England.
The number of mortgages approved for house purchases increased to 49,871 in April from 49,008 in March, a rise of 2%, the Bank's figures showed.
Meanwhile, UK consumers paid back more than they borrowed in April, with the net level of unsecured credit falling by £136m.
Source: BBC News
Mortgage borrowing by house buyers is recovering, the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has said.
The number of loans made to home buyers rose by 25% between February and March, to 45,000.
And borrowing by first-time buyers rebounded faster than that by existing home owners, the CML said.
Source: BBC News
House prices up 6.6% in past year, the Halifax says
Page last updated at 9:54 GMT, Friday, 7 May 2010 10:54 UK
E-mail this to a friend Printable version Prices will be flat this year the Halifax says House prices have gone up by 6.6% in the past year, according to the latest Halifax house price survey.
Although this was the fastest annual rate of increase since October 2007, the mortgage lender stressed that the trend in recent months has been for price rises to slow down.
As of 21st May 2010 you no longer need a Home Information Pack to openly market the sale of your property. The Government have suspended this legal requirement with immediate effect. If you are selling a property you do still legally need to have Energy Perfomance Certificate (EPC) or have commissioned one prior to openly marketing your property. The penalty for not providing one is £200.
As a property purchaser there are compulsory searches that are required. These are Local Authority Searches and if applicable a Coal Authority Mining Report. These are valid for 6 months. If your property purchase does not complete within this timeframe you will have to have the searches done again. At JMS Solicitors we are able to offer you a second set of compulsory searches at a reduced price. This will provide you with additional peace of mind and added value in not incurring the full cost again.
JMS Solcitors can supply you with Searches and Commercial and Residential EPCs usually within 24 hours of receiving instruction or gaining access to your property. Call us today to arrange your Search or EPC prices starting from £40.