Well, the plain truth is many first time buyers are lulled into a false sense of security by well-meaning estate agents providing conveyancing and mortgage services under one roof.  Of course, there is nothing wrong with this, it’s perfectly legal and adequate for a vast majority of straightforward cases.  However, there is often a hefty price to pay for this service which does in fact leave the buyer without any independent legal advice.
Just a few weeks ago, we heard of someone who was doing just what I mentioned above and concerns were raised as the friend was left without much of the information and costs associated.   My advice, is and will always be, use a trusted local law practice to do the conveyancing, because within the package you should get up-to-date independent legal advice.

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Without a lot of preamble, in a nutshell, these are the reasons why I prefer to use a Lawyer over and above a simple Conveyancer:

1. A conveyancer is usually an ex legal secretary, can have no legal qualifications, whereas a Lawyer has a law degree and experience in the field, quite a difference.
2. A conveyancer is usually a Licenced Conveyancer , the Licence is  for residential property work only, this in itself limits scope and experience.  The licensing organisation works to support the members, whereas a Solicitor/Lawyer undertaking property work, is guided by the rules of the Law Society  which are far stricter.
3. Conveyancing through an Estate Agent’s affiliated company is often the same as using a Law factory.   It’s important to remember your sensitive details, passport and documents will need to be sent onto the factory for legal verification. And any documents once signed will need sending through the post.  The only way to avoid delays with post going astray is registered post both ways, funded by you.  This all mounts up costing a lot of time and money and is quite frankly is nerve racking when you’ve no idea who you’re dealing with.  The simple and safest alternative is to use law practice where final transaction is face to face.

​Call me old fashioned if you must, but in my experience dealing with a trusted Law Firm that you can see face to face (see white of their eyes) is safer, more pleasant and a lovely antidote to the digital day-to-day workings of 2015.
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Finally, most modern Law firms will be able to send out their instructing and initial documents by email which can be signed, and scanned back without any fuss.

​We all like a happy ending don’t we?  With that in mind, here’s the lovely cottage in the country with the roses around the door.

Until next time
Joanna x

​p.s
Please note that this is only my opinion as a user and not a qualified Licenced Conveyancer or Property Lawyer.  If you think what I have written is interesting or useful, feel free to let me know; if not, be nice.

February was full of changes at 67 Regent Street as National Recruitment firm, Pertemps Network moved their Wrexham Branch into new three new interlinking offices at The Regent.  One moment in late December last year set into motion massive changes at our business and conference centre development in the heart of Wrexham. The ink was just dry on the lease document and Christmas shutdown was upon us, so we had to move like whippets to get everything in place for the move date.

As a small property business, the process could have been more difficult than it was. Thankfully, we already had a good team of trustworthy contractors in place to carry out all the refurbishment work required to change three elegant meeting rooms into a huge functional serviced office.  

​We've changed the rooms from this:

To this:

Much to the delight and relief of many including us property landlords, we learnt yesterday that the Small Business Rate Relief Scheme (SBRS) will be extended in Wales until March 2015.   

This is brilliant news for everyone.  First Minister, Carwyn Jones who announced this on Monday also said, “the extension of the scheme was the latest in a number of business rates measures that would help businesses in Wales.”  I’m sure this news will help to ease market nervousness and encourage growth.

January has been an interesting time with more viewings for our splendid offices in the heart of Wrexham and now we’re delighted that those taking the leap to move in 2014 will benefit from the relief until March 2015.  We’ve currently four offices to let in Wrexham, ideal for creative Start-ups looking for smart space in Wrexham, the capital of North Wales – we’re close to the University, a skip from the General Station and right on the main exit road, so it’s easy access in and out.  As well as benefiting from SBRS, tenants benefit from preferential rates on room hire, so it’s smiles all round for everyone.  We benefit from the relief too, as our three Rooms for Hire fall within the SBRS so we can keep our prices nice and keen for the foreseen.

So, if you’re squashed in the spare room, unhappy with your drab and dreary office, tired of asking for those pesky repairs to be done, or simply looking for a smart central location then join the growing family here at The Regent – we’re nice and green too don’t you know.

To arrange a viewing of our current offices and business accommodation to let in Wrexham at The Regent, please contact us.   Just call me, Joanna on 07786923078.

Our green energy plan has finally come to fruition.  After months of hard work, paperwork, investment and just a little waiting I finally managed to get an updated  EPC ( Energy Performance Certificate).

When we bought the building back in November 2012, the EPC rating as a mere G, it’s now a B, that’s pretty good for what was once a very leaky and damp Edwardian offices!    If you’re wondering why we bothered and how we managed it, read on.

If you’ve read my previous posts, you’ll know in the process of the renovation our aim was to install as much eco-friendly heating and lighting as possible.  The certification demonstrates our desire to turn the building from an uncomfortable fridge into a cosy and comfortable ‘space to thrive’ is now achieved.  To do this, we did the following:

• New roof and loft insulation
• New Worcester Greenstar gas boiler
• Thermaboards on renewed walls
• PIR LED or T5 lighting through offices, common walkways and cloakrooms etc.
• Solar tube – installed on the first floor landing to make maximum use of daylight and used a roof light in the orangery to minimise the need for lights.
• Solar panels from Dulas
• Triple glazed windows with ADG windows
• Renovated original sash windows with Ventrolla double glazing

Initially, there is a lot of investment, but well worthwhile.  The EPC is a requirement for prospective office tenants and a prerequisite for a  FIT (Feed in Tariff) application.  As a micro-generator of renewable energy through our solar panels, we now don’t need to buy so much electricity in.  We are also contracted to buy in any surplus we need from Good Energy, a proactively renewable supplier.

We’ve now achieved a B (42) rating, a massive leap from the previous G, without spoiling any of the original Edwardian character, and in early 2014 voltage optimisation will be added to reduce our consumption even further.

Smiles all around!

​Joanna x

We worked through the Bank Holiday weekend and finally at tea-time on Monday evening, I put down my tools to prepare for the Grand Opening of The Regent Offices and Business Centre in Wrexham.

It would be a lie to say it wasn’t a close run thing, as the last two weeks of the project were spattered with obstacles from start to finish.  However, with persistence and help from friends and family, the mountains became stepping-stones leading to a brilliant celebration.

​And so, at 1.00 pm it was a great honour to receive our guests and Mayor of Wrexham, Councillor David Bithell accompanied by The Mayoress Mrs Virginia Bithell for the official opening on Tuesday 27th August.

The weather was shining down brightly, the place was packed with friends and family and what a wonderful afternoon it was to celebrate bringing an unloved Edwardian building back to life with dignity and purpose; transforming it from a dying wreck to ‘Space to Thrive’.

​The Mayor & Mayoress took a tour of the building and enjoyed seeing the Wall Art and sitting on the bench created by Simon O’Rourke Treecarving.

Now it’s all over and the next phase of business begins; I find this quote by William Wilberforce, whom one of our conference rooms is named after, quite an inspiration, I hope you like it:

“Accustom yourself to look first to the dreadful consequences of failure; then fix your eye on the glorious prize which is before you; and when your strength begins to fail, and your spirits are well nigh exhausted, let the animating view rekindle your resolution, and call forth in renewed vigour the fainting energies of your soul.”  William Wilberforce.
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Until next time, Happy Officing.  Joanna x