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Residential Conveyancing Solicitors — Scotland

Buying or selling a house can be one of the most exciting and stressful milestones in your life. Our residential conveyancing solicitors at Watermans are here to guide you through the residential conveyancing process.

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Property Purchase Made Simple!

"I used Watermans to purchase my first property. I am very happy to report that Shawn and the team made the process very easy and simple to follow. Communication was quick and clear for me to understand. I would definitely use them again!"

Gregor, Estate Agency & Conveyancing Services

The Short of It

  • Whether you are buying or selling your home,

    we make it straightforward and stress-free.

  • We offer estate agency services, including buying and selling residential property,

    alongside the transfer of title and re-mortgaging services.

  • Our dedicated conveyancing team of residential property solicitors are here to help you every step of the way,

    offering friendly and knowledgeable legal advice.

  • Everything we do at Watermans is about getting you the resolution you need and

    providing straightforward legal advice. It should be that simple.

    • The Long of It

    Residential Conveyancing

    What is residential conveyancing?

    Residential conveyancing refers to the sale and purchase of residential properties. Whether you are a first-time buyer or a seasoned expert with a property investment portfolio, the conveyancing process can seem like a daunting undertaking. This is especially true without the help of a residential property lawyer.

    If you’re considering property investment, our residential conveyancing solicitors in Scotland handle the legal process from start to finish. We build relationships with our clients and tailor our services to meet your needs and timings, from transferring ownership and land transaction tax to sale or purchase. Our experienced team has expertise in handling property sales and purchases, as well as re-mortgaging and transfer of title services.

    Buying and Selling

    Buying a property with Watermans

    Buying a property can be a monumental occasion. You can be nervous and excited, and you may also feel stressed about the conveyancing transaction for your new house. We understand how overwhelming property transactions can be.

    At Watermans, our specialist team has over 30 years of experience and expertise in the property industry. We know the market and understand the housing industry. We utilise our residential property conveyancing knowledge to help you make informed decisions.

    We will guide you through each step along the way, from land and building transaction tax to handling contracts. Our aim is to have a clear and transparent approach throughout the process. Our residential conveyancing solicitors will assist you with the following:

    • Discuss what it is you are looking for in a property
    • Advise on buying tactics and submit notes of interest
    • Check all home reports and title deeds for legal ownership
    • Submit offers on properties for you
    • Complete the conveyancing process on the acceptance of a mortgage offer, ensuring the legal exchange of contracts
    • Assist with securing a new mortgage and liaise with lenders on your behalf
    • Submit your residential Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) return
    • Celebrate your property purchase with you!

    Buying a property is made easy with our conveyancing solicitors in Scotland.

    Selling a property with Watermans

    If you are selling a property, our expert team of property lawyers in Scotland are ready to help. As part of our residential sales service, we offer:

    • No upfront legal fees, meaning you don’t pay anything towards the conveyancing cost until your property sells
    • Free valuation of your property
    • 360* virtual video tour
    • Access to archived residential property sales information and guidance on how to present your home for sale
    • Arranging your home report pack through a surveyor and the installation of For Sale boards
    • Quality sales brochures, including professional photography, copy, and floorplans
    • Feedback from potential buyers and ongoing advice to ensure you secure a sale

    If you choose Watermans, we handle the legal jargon, ensuring you enjoy the buying or selling process. Selling property is one of the biggest things you will do in your life. Sit back and enjoy the experience. Our conveyancing lawyers will handle the rest.

    Other Conveyancing Services

    What other conveyancing services does Watermans offer?

    At Watermans, our conveyancing solicitors in Scotland handle more than property transactions. We also offer re-mortgaging and transfer of title services for legal ownership.

    Re-mortgaging

    You may be looking to re-mortgage your home if you are transferring the title deed to a different name. This could be a result of a divorce or marriage, or perhaps you would like a better interest rate on existing mortgages with a different lender. Whatever the reason, a solicitor from Watermans can help. Our conveyancing team are experts in handling the re-mortgage process and are here to guide you through the steps as smoothly as possible.

    Transfer of Titles

    Our team of residential conveyancing lawyers are well-versed in handling title transfers. A transfer of title service is needed when you want to add or remove a person’s name from a property deed, usually as a result of marriage or divorce. You may also wish to use a residential conveyancer service in your estate planning or if you want to gift a property to a relative.

    Transferring property ownership in Scotland requires expert legal guidance to avoid delays and complications. Our residential property solicitors handle the entire process efficiently, ensuring all legal requirements are met. We also keep in contact with you every step of the way.

    Whether you’re transferring a title due to inheritance, gifting, separation or sale, you can trust our solicitors to get the job done in abidance with property laws.

    Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Previously Stamp Duty Land Tax)

    When buying or selling residential property in Scotland, you may be liable for Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT), which has replaced Stamp Duty Land Tax in Scotland. LBTT applies to properties over £145,000, with a higher threshold of £175,000 for first-time buyers. If you’re purchasing an additional residential property, then the Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS) applies at 8% of the purchase price.

    Our conveyancing solicitors can help provide comprehensive legal advice on LBTT obligations. No matter the legal obligation, our experienced team promises straightforward legal advice when buying and selling property.

    Why Watermans?

    Why should I choose Watermans for my conveyancing needs?

    Our conveyancing team at Watermans are experts in their field. A Watermans solicitor will offer straightforward legal advice regarding all residential conveyancing services and work with you to achieve the results you are looking for.

    A residential conveyancing solicitor will take the hassle out of the legal worry. We pride ourselves on our personalised approach to residential properties, and we endeavour to build true, meaningful relationships with our clients.

    Whether it’s buying your dream house or selling your current property to upgrade to your next purchase, a Watermans solicitor has got you covered.

    Contact a residential conveyancing solicitor from Watermans today.

    Residential Conveyancing in Scotland - FAQs

    Domestic conveyancing in Scotland takes approximately six to eight weeks to complete when handled by a solicitor. This timeframe includes property searches, contract negotiations and liaising with lenders, ensuring the whole process aligns with our client’s requirements.

    If you change your mind at any point during the process, it’s best to talk to your Watermans property lawyer as soon as possible. You can pull out any time before the missives conclude. However, if the contracts have already been concluded, you will have to legally complete the transaction.

    Certain searches must be completed before purchase. These can be risk assessments for floods and ground stability checks (such as for subsidence or mining activity), local authority investigations, legal reports against the parties involved and the Title, and additional searches depending on the property’s location and history. The seller’s solicitor will produce all searches to the buyer’s solicitor.

    It’s important to arrange insurance for your new property in advance to ensure coverage from the moment you own the property. In general, the rule of thumb is that your property must be insured by your agreed Date of Entry.

    Conveyancing takes time. However, you could speed up the process by ensuring you get your mortgage in principle before the search. Additionally, getting a conveyancing solicitor in Scotland and promptly completing the tasks they have advised you to do may accelerate the conveyancing process.

    The Scottish Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) is a tax levied on commercial and residential property transactions. Introduced in April 2015, LBTT replaced the UK’s Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).

    The tax is progressive, with rates and bands set by the Scottish government. It’s important to consult with a solicitor or tax advisor to understand your obligations, as LBTT applies to various property transactions, not only residential property transactions.

    Solicitors for residential conveyancing handle the legal aspects of buying and selling property. The role of a conveyancing team is to ensure compliance with Scottish property laws. The responsibilities of a conveyancing team include title examinations, negotiation of contracts (missives), and facilitating the transfer of ownership.

    A mortgage provider, on the other hand, supplies the financing needed to purchase property. They assess the client’s financial situation, determine loan eligibility and set mortgage terms. While they can provide finance for local and overseas buyers, mortgage brokers do not handle the legal aspects of the property transfer.

    While mortgage brokers can help find suitable mortgage deals, they are not a replacement for a qualified conveyancing team. Our conveyancing team can assist you in finding a trusted mortgage broker.

    If you choose to work with Watermans, our team will be able to explain the process of paying the deposit for your new property. As the client, you will be required to pay the deposit for your property purchase to us, as your legal representative, a few days prior to the agreed Date of Entry (settlement date).

    Buying a house can be daunting, but working with a Watermans property lawyer makes it stress-free. The process begins with getting a mortgage in principle, when a mortgage lender agrees to lend you money prior to the finalisation of your purchase. After this, you can start looking for your ideal property to make an offer. If your offer is accepted, you can apply for the mortgage.

    One of our lawyers will handle the legal side of things. We will explain all the information included in the Home Report and negotiate with the seller’s solicitor on your behalf until missives are concluded — then you will be ready to move in!

    Shared ownership schemes allow buyers to purchase a share of the property while paying the rent on the remaining balance. Buyers usually purchase between 25% and 75% of the property and pay subsidised rent on the remaining share.

    Shared ownership schemes are typically run by housing associations or local councils, however you’re responsible for maintenance duties. This can be beneficial, but since it involves other parties, it makes the home purchase process a bit complex.

     

    Cohabiting couples should consider cohabitation agreements to protect their interests, as legal rights differ between couples. These agreements provide clarity on financial responsibilities, property ownership and tenant matters. Typically established over a fixed period, these agreements can help prevent disputes.

    With our extensive knowledge, we can help navigate this stressful process, ensuring all parties involved understand their rights and are satisfied with the outcomes.

    Complete an enquiry form and let our residential conveyancing solicitors in Scotland help make your property transaction simple.

    Get in touch with us

    Everything we do at Watermans is about getting you the resolution you need and making that process straightforward. Start the process by sending us your details below or calling us on 0131 555 7055

    Our property expert

    “My clients would describe me as being approachable, down to earth and easy to get on with. This allows me to build relationships with my clients and provide straightforward legal advice without all the jargon.”

    Shawn Wood, Head of Conveyancing

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