Do you have a knack for writing? Are you brimming with new and exciting ideas? Then you have come to right place. Arc Property Solicitors is looking for creative bloggers and industry experts to write a guest blog for their online blog. And the fun doesn’t end here; we will be rewarding the bloggers with a £25 Gift Voucher by putting their name in our quarterly prize draw. This is an exciting opportunity for individuals who like to stay abreast of the latest trends in the UK property market and like to blog and tweet about them. All you need to do is write a blog and send it to dh@arcpropertysolicitors.com.

So this is a shout out to all the bloggers out there, get your creative juices flowing and enter our lucky draw now. Please send your queries to dh@arcpropertysolicitors.com.

We are living in a digital age where everything is just a click away. Literally, everything! Even buying your new house or moving into a new place. You can now get all the paperwork done from the comfort of your living room. Gone are the days of excessive paperwork and the fear of losing important documents because everything that you need is now online and help is just a click away.

Online conveyancing or econveyancing is a legal process of moving property where the entire process is conducted online. More and more people are now relying on this paperless house purchase as it results in matters being dealt quickly and more cost effectively with fewer problems. The time and cost saving is passed on to the clients in the form of a cheaper conveyancing fee without any compromise on the quality of the service.

Arc property Solicitors offers online as well as offline conveyancing services to its clients. While some clients opt for offline conveyancing services, others believe in reducing overall costs and choose online conveyancing. Arc provides fast and efficient e-conveyancing services to its clients whereby the clients are kept informed of the progress. Arc has various online touch points where the clients can leave feedback or their queries which are promptly answered. The purpose of having different online touch points is to facilitate the clients and broaden channels of communication between the clients and the solicitors.

Rapid proliferation of various social media channels has taken the world by storm. It has not only provided additional channels of communication but has also affected consumer buying behavior in many ways. Where internet is a quick and easy way of seeking information, social media and social networking has taken it one step ahead where online users increasingly rely on word of mouth, referrals, participate in discussions on various blogs and forums, follow influential people online and seek advice from them. Since today’s consumer is quite well-informed thanks to the internet, marketers today are increasingly relying on alternate media channels to pursue customers online.

Social Media and internet have revolutionized the home-buying process – no need for the daily grind of going through various newspapers to look for properties. Property information, these days is just one click away. These mediums have not only benefitted a potential client, it has provided alternate media channels to estate agents for reaching out to the existing as well as the potential clients.

According to a social media website Soshable.com, 94% of all home buyers start their search online and it includes joining various social networks to see what existing clients are talking about. Research also suggests that estate agents using social media are at a huge competitive advantage over those who aren’t.

Now the question is why would an estate agent want to establish an online presence to connect with the clients? The answer is fairly simple: Social media provides a platform to personally connect with your clients, build relationships, provides two-way communication and gives an insight into the client’s needs and preferences. A website, on the other hand, does not provide the personalization factor although it provides the same amount of information but lacks in engagement and relationship building with the clients.  Additionally, social media and social networks provide a platform to effectively manage and resolve client queries and issues. A number of property firms are now using social media as a preferred medium for customer service.

Another important aspect of property sector is conveyancing. Conveyancing is the legal process of moving property. Online conveyancing has provided an opportunity to clients whereby they can now save their time and cost. Arc Property Solicitors offers online conveyancing services which results in matters being dealt with quickly and cost effectively, with fewer problems. The time and cost saving is then translated into cheap conveyancing services without compromising the quality of the work.

The report claimed that strict lending criteria, shortage of properties and high deposits were responsible for the 8.7% decline in home owners since 2001.

However, Arc Property Solicitors believes that buyers should be encouraged by latest figures indicating that 49,239 new loans were approved for house purchases in August 2011 – the highest level since May 2010.

In addition, Grant Schnapps, Housing and planning minister, commented in a recent BBC Radio 4 interview that the government were doing all they can to increase the amount of housing in England.

Many first-time buyers would agree that saving for a deposit is the hardest part of getting on the property ladder but there are options out there for buyers other than the 100% mortgage.

So to help you on your way Arc Property Solicitors have put together our Top 10 tips for saving a deposit for first-time buyers.

The average cost of a first home in England is £120k, so if you were to opt for a 5% deposit you would need around £6k and if you are moving in with a partner that’s £3k each.

1. Set aside £250 each per month (each) for one year
2. Put your money into ISA’s & Savings Accounts
3. Consider an interest free loan from parents / family members
4. Move back in with relatives to save on rental costs
5. Reduce un-necessary expenses such as TV packages & subscriptions
6. Get a part time job
7. Buy with a partner of friend to reduce the amount of deposit you will need to pay.
8. Set a food budget and opt to eat at home – reduce meals out, take-aways and those morning coffees
9. Walk or take public transport instead of using your own car where possible – or consider selling your car if you don’t really need it.
10. Enter competitions after all someone’s got to win, right?

New research published by Zoopla.co.uk shows that buying a home in 45 out of the 50 largest towns across Britain is cheaper than renting.

If you are currently renting then you will more than likely be paying 13% more on average than a house owner with a mortgage. Even in London the average monthly rental costs are 28% higher than the cost of ownership.

With house prices dropping in the run up to Christmas and low interest rates some would argue that it’s never been a better time for first-time buyers to get into the property market.

So, where are the best places to live if you are looking to buy?

The top 5 cities where buying is cheaper than renting:

This information was calculated using all two bedroom flats currently on the market (August 2011) and assuming the buyer would have obtained an interest only mortgage at 5% pa and a 100% LTV ratio.

If you are a first-time buyer looking to get your foot on the property ladder but you’re worried that you can’t afford it due to deposits and securing a mortgage then think again! Arc Property Solicitors has produced a series of useful blog posts that outline all the options available to first-time buyers, including;

First-time buyer mortgage options
How to get on the property ladder: if you’re a first-time buyer
The return of the 100% mortgage
Conveyancing discount code
Top 10 Tips for Saving a House Deposit

Why not ‘like’ us on facebook or ‘follow’ us on twitter too for up to the minute property advice and information.

Figures from unbiased.co.uk show that searches for first-time mortgage advice accounted for 41% of all enquiries in the sector during August making them the single largest contributor to activity in the mortgage market.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders also released figures this month (September) which noted a sizeable 10% increase in mortgage lending since August 2010 – the highest it’s been since July 2009.

First-time buyers looking to secure a mortgage will be pleased to hear that some lenders have cut rates on their first-time buyer mortgages. Abbey for Intermediaries recently announced a series of cuts to its mortgages aimed specifically at first-time buyers…

The 4 Year Deal

• 85% loan to value
• Cut by 1.1% to 4.29%
• £495 fee

The 5 Year Deal

• 90% loan to value
• Cut by 0.24% to 5.75%
• £495 fee

Saffron Building Society are also offering lower fixed rate deals for first-time buyers who only have small deposits but can demonstrate a good record for paying rent. The buyers rental payment history, which must be a minimum of 12 months, is then used to calculate the amount they will be able to afford each month in mortgage payments.

First-time Buyer Mortgage

• 95% loan to value
• Cut by 6.49% to 5.79%
• £195 fee

Other options for first-time buyers

HSBC currently have a two year fixed deal at 2.79%, which is much lower than the above rates even after cuts. However you will have to pay a much higher fee of £1,499 with a 85% loan to value.

Luton Borough Council recently announced plans to introduce a mortgage scheme for first-time buyers who are unable to raise a large deposit but can afford mortgage payments. The council would act as guarantor on up to 20% of the first-time buyers mortgage with only a 5% deposit required.

Arc Property Solicitors would urge first-time buyers to look at all the options available to them when researching first-time buyer mortgages to ensure that they get the best deal for their individual circumstances.

Guest Blog by: Nikki Allen @nikki82allen

Trainee conveyancer/paralegal

So the excitement begins you have either made an offer on a property or someone has made an offer on your property. So the next step is to find and instruct your conveyancer. In the Home Moving Trends survey 2010, 93% of home movers start their search online. However, from past experience as a client, I have always opted for the conveyancing solicitor who has dealt with my family property sales and purchase.

From my recent family’s experience, in selling a property with vacant possession and the buyer already having the funds in place for the purchase. From this experience the traditional way of conveyancing would appear not to have been the speediest and stress free way to complete this transaction. Even though having completed the fixture and fittings and property information forms well in advance.

There were many other reasons why the traditional route did not suit our needs in this particular transaction, including; having to visit the solicitor offices, sending email correspondence and telephone calls to establish the progress. The traditional conveyancing route appeared very time consuming in regards to sending out documents, and answering our queries and questions, with some of these already dealt with previously via completed Sellers Property Information Form.

Many clients need a conveyancer or conveyancing firm that are more proactive, accessible and efficient in the process, and communicating openly with their client on the conveyancing transaction at every stage. These qualities can now be found in e-conveyancing, which I personally did not know about until recently and my family would have certainly considered this approach if known earlier.

With the increase use of Information Technology and mobile communication media, this has allowed e-conveyancing to fit in with people’s lifestyle. E-Conveyancing has many advantages with value for money and online file tracking facilities for clients. These tracking facilities would have been ideal with my family’s’ experience as we would have liked to check the file and the transaction process. Also, allowing better communication with our conveyancing solicitor, particularly relating to the additional queries by the buyers solicitor, and late information regarding the discovery of a “strip lease”.

We also found with the traditional route, the process resulted in a delay in receiving information or instructions, and particularly when any further clarification on a matter was required.

Another advantage of e-conveyancing is the extended opening hours and the opportunity to access your file or account 24 hours a day 7 days a week. As mentioned previously, clients’ lifestyles are not always 9-5. Some traditional conveyancing solicitors’ firms are open 9-5, and sometimes close for lunch, that is when clients are available to go to the firms’ office or wish to communicate with their conveyancer. I have become aware, that some conveyancing practices are now opening at a weekend, for example 10 am to 2pm, to keep up with the competition with e-conveyancing sector. Also recently ‘Quality Solicitors’ have a joint venture and joined in partnership with WH Smith retail to have legal access points within stores, this makes solicitors more accessible.

Overall traditional methods of conveyancing still hold a place in many hearts. However, times are changing, and so are lifestyles, therefore conveyancing firms and solicitors’ need to meet clients’ needs. This is why e-conveyancing is now starting to shine though. Arc Property Solicitors and Thomas Legal Group are some of the many firms proving that e-conveyancing are meeting the clients needs.

In the future I will recommend e-conveyancing to many people and will use it myself when I next move.

Please note: there is no guaranteed time scale for a completion date as each case is different. However, on average the process will take around 6-8weeks.

If you are interested in finding out more about any of the processes or services involved with online conveyancing visit the Arc Property Solicitors website.

We are committed to helping our clients understand the conveyancing process so we have created a simple flowchart to explain how a typical sale will progress.

Please note: there is no guaranteed time scale for a completion date as each case is different. However, on average the process will take around 6-8weeks.

If you are interested in finding out more about any of the processes or services involved with online conveyancing visit the Arc Property Solicitors website.

Do you like us enough to join the Arc Property Solicitors facebook page? Well that’s all you have to do to get an extra £50.00 off our standard conveyancing service.

So, to redeem your £50.00 off voucher follow these simple steps;

1. ‘Like’ our facebook page
2. Make a note of your voucher code
3. Give us a call on (freephone) 0800 612 9097
4. Quote your code to our sales team
5. Receive your conveyancing quotation

It’s as simple as that! Plus if you join our facebook page you will get the latest news about everything property related from energy prices to i-phone apps as well as fantastic competitions and giveaways!

Terms & Conditions: You must request your quote by telephone using our freephone number: 0800 612 9097. Offer entitles the individual to £50 off our standard web quote (£275.00)