Conveyancing
Conveyancing Solicitors in Glasgow, Livingston & Bathgate
Conveyancing in Scotland is the legal process of transferring property ownership from one person to another. Property purchase and sale transactions involve various legal aspects and requires the expertise of a conveyancing solicitor. Only qualified solicitors can undertake this task, and at Wallace Quinn, our experienced property solicitors form a dedicated property team to help you with your sale or purchase. We have over 35 years of experience in helping clients with buying and selling properties in Glasgow, Edinburgh, across the Central Belt and throughout Scotland.
Our legal services cover a comprehensive range of services, including guidance and advice throughout every transaction. We are regulated by the Law Society of Scotland, ensuring compliance with professional standards and providing client protection. During the initial consultation, your property solicitor will help and act on your behalf, ensuring you are fully informed at every stage of the process.
We have a dedicated new-build and residential conveyancing department with property solicitors and paralegals working full-time in this sector.
From a new build perspective, we also take the time to get to know how each house builder in Scotland likes to work and align our processes accordingly. We pride ourselves on getting our clients in on time, every time.
Government Assistance Schemes
Explore the various financial assistance schemes offered by the Scottish Government with our conveyancing solicitors in Glasgow, Bathgate and Livingston, who are authorised to work on all available programs. Our conveyancing team provides expert guidance and advice for first-time buyers and home movers navigating government assistance schemes, ensuring you receive the support you need throughout the process.
You can find out about Low Cost Home Ownership current and previous funds HERE.
Check out the list of available schemes on the Scottish Government website:
Fee Calculator
Generate an instant quote using our fee calculator to estimate your conveyancing fees in Scotland.
New Build FAQ Booklet
Our fees can be printed and downloaded, handy if you are on the move.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much will the legal work cost?
On top of the price to purchase the property, there are various fees, taxes and charges you will have pay. You can get an instant quote now at New Build Conveyancing Calculator
What are missives?
A ‘missive’ is a legal term for the ‘contract’ between the buyer and seller of a property. When you sign the missives, both parties have the security of knowing the sale will proceed. We would usually sign the missives on your behalf.
Once the missives are concluded, do I own the house?
Not quite. Once missives have been concluded, the process of transferring ownership from the builder takes place. This is known as ‘conveyancing’.
How long does conveyancing take?
In any property sale, there is at least one buyer, a seller and two solicitors. In addition, there are your mortgage company, your bank, and the seller’s bank. If you are using a government assistance scheme, they’ll have an interest and also a solicitor. Ensuring all of the pieces of the puzzle are aligned can take a few weeks but we’ll give you an estimated date for completion and keep you updated at every step of the process.
I’ve reserved a new-build property, what happens now?
Tell your builder that you have appointed Wallace Quinn, and they will arrange to send us the ‘missives’. We’ll go through them with you and all the other steps required to complete the property purchase. We have strict legal requirements, including anti-money laundering regulations, that we must comply with, which means we need to ask you for proof of identity and information on the source of the funds being used to purchase the property. Almost all of this process can be completed electronically, meaning you only need to come into our office once to sign documents, typically in the days leading up to the conclusion of your purchase.
What if I work away from home or am unavailable for any legitimate reason?
You can grant a ‘Power of Attorney,’ which gives someone you trust the power to act on your behalf. We can help you put all necessary paperwork in place, but we cannot be both your solicitor and your Power of Attorney.
How do I pay for my property?
The full purchase price for the property, along with funds to cover all taxes, charges, and fees, must be lodged with us in the days leading up to your completion date. At the appropriate time (usually the day before you move), we will release funds to the seller’s solicitors, who will then release the funds to the seller.
If you require a mortgage, you will lodge the agreed deposit amount with us, while your mortgage provider will lodge the remaining balance.
If you are involved in the Scottish Government-backed ‘Help To Buy (Scotland)’ or ‘First Home Fund’ Scheme, the scheme’s administrators will lodge that proportion of the balance with us.
Your deposit can only be paid by bank transfer, cheque or bankers’ draft (you cannot use a credit or debit card). If using a cheque, we recommend you provide it at least a week before the money is due. If paying by bankers’ draft, we also require a letter from your bank confirming that the funds have been transferred from your account.
What happens on the day that we move?
Once we have settled all the bills, taxes, charges, and fees, the seller’s solicitor will confirm everything and then instruct the seller (or builder, in the case of a new-build purchase), to release the keys to you.
What happens after we’ve moved in?
You’ll receive a ‘post completion statement’ from us summarising everything that’s happened, and then we’ll get out of your way and let you get the carpets down and the walls painted.
If you are due any cashback, we’ll arrange to transfer that into your bank within three to five working days.
When does my mortgage start?
This should be clearly explained in the mortgage offer you received from your provider. If you have any doubts, you should speak with your lender or your financial advisor.
I have more questions. Can I speak to you?
Of course. Please contact our ‘Conveyancing’ or ‘New Build ‘ teams in either our Glasgow, Livingston or Bathgate office. There is also a lot of information on our website.
Conveyancing Podcast
Get in touch with us today!
Considering buying a new or existing property? Check out our comprehensive guide to buying a house in Scotland or contact our dedicated team at Wallace Quinn for all your property transaction needs. Our conveyancing solicitors in Glasgow, Livingston and Bathgate are ready to assist. We have an excellent reputation, as shown by our positive ReviewSolicitors and Google reviews, and are proud to be recognised as a trusted conveyancing firm in Scotland.
Our team supports clients throughout their entire property journey, whether you are buying property or selling property. We understand the importance of security and safeguarding your money during all property transactions. Our conveyancers and property solicitors conduct property searches to uncover any issues, ensuring a smooth and risk-free process.
We handle both business and personal property transactions, including complex and significant deals. With extensive knowledge of all aspects of Scottish property law and conveyancing, we can assist with all types of property transactions and provide expert guidance every step of the way.
We work closely with house builders and also on all government assistance schemes. Get an instant quote with our fee calculators or download our New Build Property FAQ booklet for answers to common queries.
Ready to start? Contact us today and let us help you turn your dream home into a reality.
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