Howells has launched a brand new Youtube channel. On it, we’ll be uploading videos to share our expertise on a number of different legal issues.

Check out our two newest video guides: helping you deal with issues to residential conveyancing and matrimonial law:

A guide to residential conveyancing with Rhian Davies

Howells’ property law expert Rhian Davies answers some of the most common issues that people encounter when buying and selling a property. How long does the process take? What are the different processes involved in buying and selling a house? Are legal fees payable if one party pulls out at the end of the process?

Rhian also discusses the cost of conveyancing and the service that you can expect to enjoy from a solicitor like Howells. Clients want the personal touch, done simply, from a conveyancer that they can trust and Howells’ residential expert explains why her company’s approach to conveyancing is so popular in South Wales and across the UK.

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Howells has won a prestigious Bronze award for its conveyancing service in the Estate Agency of the Year 2013 Awards.

The Awards, sponsored by The Times and The Sunday Times, saw Howells win third place in the Best Large Conveyancer category – becoming the highest placed solicitors in Wales and across South England. Taking place at the Lancaster London Hotel on Friday 6th December and hosted by TV presenter Penny Smith, the events recognised some of the UK’s leading estate agents and housing experts.

A panel of independent industry professionals judged Howells over a number of months. They contacted various offices, acting as ‘mystery shoppers’, and sought the opinion of both staff and customers. A spokesman from the Awards praised the training, procedures and systems that were in place at Howells to ensure that the conveyancing process was as effective as possible for customers. They said:

“Particularly impressive is the large number of referrals they receive from house builders, who require a committed 28 day turnaround on conveyancing. The fact that they trust Howells to achieve this for them speaks volumes as to the efficiency and quality of their service.” More...

If you’re struggling to scratch together the deposit to buy a home in Wales, then the Help To Buy scheme could be the assistance that you need. The new government regulation offers thousands of people across Wales the chance to own something that you can really call home.

What exactly is it? How does it affect people in Wales? 

What is the Help To Buy scheme?

Help To Buy consists of two separate initiatives which aim to make it easier for people to buy their own home. The two parts both present different ways for people with small deposits to find a mortgage in Wales. Those two parts are:

•    UK Mortgage Guarantee Scheme

•    Help To Buy Wales

The UK Mortgage Guarantee Scheme

Available for all properties across the UK up to a value of £600,000, this government initiative allows any first-time buyer or homeowner in the UK arrange a mortgage with a lender with a deposit of just 5%.  More...

At Howells Solicitors we understand that moving home when you are a first time buyer can be very expensive so during the festive period, we will be offering a first time buyer the opportunity to use our conveyancing services free of charge (including search fees!).

During the festive period, Howells will be offering a first time buyer the opportunity to win free legal representation (including the cost of the search fees) when they purchase their new home which will equate to a saving of over £600!

To enter the competition, applicants are invited to e-mail info@howellslegal.com  and in no more than 150 words explain why they think they should be selected to receive the legal fees for free! 
A team from our conveyancing department will judge the entrants and decide who will win the free conveyancing prize.More...

There are a whole host of processes included in a residential conveyancing service and invariably, it will take time. However, by choosing to work with an experienced firm of solicitors who are dedicated to delivering the highest level of customer service, it is possible to move the process along swiftly.     

Receipt of draft contract – seen by many as the starting point of the conveyancing process, the contract should set out the terms of the sale process and include details of the property as well as items which are to be included in the sale.
   
Preliminary enquiry – whilst waiting for the draft contract, a solicitor will send a list of enquiries to the seller’s solicitor to reveal fundamental information about the property and the sale.

Property information form – although not included in every conveyancing case, you may be sent this form by your solicitor which includes a summary of the items included in the contract, such as boundaries, fixtures and fittings etc. More...