Buying a new build home is a great option if you’re a first time buyer or looking for a home that doesn’t need much work. But the legal process of buying or selling a new build can be different to buying an older property, so choosing the right conveyancing solicitor is essential.

We’re well aware that it’s common for people to feel excitement but also anxiousness about buying or selling. Conveyancing can be a long, uncertain process and it isn’t made any easier if your conveyancing solicitor isn’t on the ball.

With the added expectancy of the builder wanting, as standard, exchange within 28 days of sending out the contract it can all be the more daunting especially when faced with additional paperwork that you do not normally have to consider when buying an existing property.

Well, if this is your worry, you’ve come to the right place.

At Wosskow Brown Solicitors, we take the stress out of buying or selling your home. We specialise in fast, straightforward conveyancing and have loads of experience working with first time buyers and young home movers.

Our expertise includes handling  New Build purchases and purchases through Help to Buy, shared ownership and other government homeownership schemes as well as selling to a builder in a part-exchange deal.

As well as ensuring that your transaction is completed swiftly and perfectly, we will focus on making your experience great (well, as great as dealing with a bunch of legal documents can be). This means explaining everything you need to know in clear language, never leaving you in the dark, and always making ourselves available when you need us.

No pointless delays. No hidden costs. No unnecessary stress. Just a job well done.

Here’s what you can expect from us:

• Fixed fees – so you know how much your conveyancing will cost from start to finish.
• Conveyancing Quality Scheme accredited lawyers.
• A friendly team who respond quickly to calls and emails.
• Proactivity – we will chase the other side and push for progress. No delays will ever come from our side.
• Regular updates – so you always know what’s going on.

Three simple steps to get started with our new build conveyancing solicitors

1.    Request a fixed fee conveyancing quote

You can get an instant online conveyancing quote by using our conveyancing calculator.

Your quote will cover the fees, VAT and third party costs (such as Land Registry fees) that might affect your sale or purchase.

Once you have your quote, take all the time you need to decide whether we’re right for you. Carry on with your research, go get some more quotes, but do make sure to check out our team of expert conveyancers before you go.

2.    Give us a call or send us a message

We have local offices across Sheffield on Attercliffe Road and in Gleadless and Hillsborough, plus an office in Barnsley.

So, give us a call at your nearest branch, or fill in our online enquiry form and we’ll give you a call back as soon as possible.

3.    Let us work our magic

We’ll spring into action from the moment you give us the go-ahead. Before we can make a start on the actual conveyancing, we’ll need to get some admin out of the way, such as checking documents to verify your identity and where the money to buy your home has come from. So, if possible, contact us before you actually need us.

We’ll also confirm your conveyancing quote in writing. We specialise in fixed fee conveyancing, so the price we give you is what you will pay at the end.

Although we do sometimes need to do work outside a fixed fee quote, we will always speak to you first to explain what needs doing and to get your confirmation.

How our new build conveyancing lawyers can help you

We can handle every aspect of your conveyancing on your behalf. Our service covers:

• Buying off plan
• Buying and selling through Help to Buy
• Buying and selling shared ownership properties
• Buying and selling leaseholds (such as flats)
• Checking the property title and carrying out conveyancing searches
• Stamp Duty, including handling relief for first time buyers
• Checking issues that commonly affect new builds, such as planning permissions and access rights
• Explaining new build guarantees

Buying off plan

If you are buying a new build home directly from a housing developer, you may be asked to reserve it before it has even been built.

This might sound bizarre, but it’s a popular option, particularly for people looking to purchase through the Help to Buy scheme and how most big developer’s sell their new build properties. There are many benefits to buying off plan, for example:

• You might be able to get a discount if you get in early
• You usually have a choice in some of the fixtures and fittings
• There won’t be a chain as you’re buying directly from the developer
• You can usually get a Help to Buy equity loan to help you afford it

However, buying off plan is a different process to buying a property that has already been built. For example, you need to make sure that the house builder has the right planning permission, and that the property is completed to the right specs.

Our new build conveyancing solicitors know all the right questions to ask and enquiries to make to ensure you are getting a good deal.

We’ll provide honest advice about how your transaction is going and handle all the legal documentation on your behalf, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

Help to buy

We can provide practical conveyancing advice to people looking to buy through the Help to Buy scheme and people looking to sell a property originally bought through Help to Buy.

Our service includes:

• Handling the legal work required when buying new build property
• Assisting with Help to Buy loan applications
• Assisting with Help to Buy mortgages and working with your lender
• All the other required conveyancing work that comes with buying or selling, such as checking title deeds

We have experience handling transactions through the Help to Buy Equity Loan scheme and the Help to Buy ISA scheme (which is closed to new applicants but can be used by existing account holders until 2029).

Shared ownership

Shared ownership is a government Help to Buy scheme which allows you to buy a portion of a new build property or recently built property. The part of the property you don’t own is owned by a housing association or social housing provider to whom you pay rent.

Shared ownership means you don’t have to save as much of a deposit or get as big of a mortgage as you would have done by buying the property outright. You can later buy additional shares in the property until you own 100%.

The government also recently made changes to the shared ownership scheme to make it more accessible for first time buyers. The four main changes are:

• New buyers will be able to buy a minimum stake of 10% (down from 25%).
• Staircasing will become easier – owners under the new shared ownership model can start with 1% gradual increases, rather than having to buy in 10% stakes.
• Under the new model, shared ownership providers will be responsible for repairs for the first 10 years of the lease, with the maximum home owners being allowed to claim set to £500 per (with unspent expenditure rolling over for one year)
• Both new and existing owners will get a 990 year lease. Currently, shared ownership lease terms are usually 99 or 125 years.

The new shared ownership scheme will run from 2021 to 2026, with many shared ownership buyers being able to benefit from early 2022.

For more information, visit our Shared Ownership page.

Why choose our new build conveyancing solicitors in Sheffield and Barnsley?

We are members of the Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS), an accreditation held by firms who lead the way in the area of property law.

But what does this mean for you? It means:

• We have a strong track record of success.
• We know how to spot risks before they cause you problems, meaning our clients face fewer delays during their conveyancing.
• We’re clear and honest about our fees (and you’ll never be surprised by any hidden costs).
• We’re approved to work with a wide range of mortgage lenders, so you can trust that your lender will be happy for you to instruct us, and you can access the best quality deals.

Get in touch with our new build conveyancing solicitors in Sheffield and Barnsley today

We have local offices across Sheffield on Attercliffe Road and in Gleadless and Hillsborough, plus an office in Barnsley.

So, give us a call at your nearest branch, or fill in our online enquiry form and we’ll give you a call back as soon as possible.