Conveyancing is the general term used to describe all transactions involving real property. This includes purchases, sales, re-mortgages, shared ownership purchases, affordable housing purchases, transfers between spouses following separation and transfers of property into joint names following marriage.

It also includes, property transfers from one partner to another following a relationship breakdown, a transfer of property from one related party to another and transfers of sites to children to avail of the Stamp Duty relief. These are just some of the property transactions undertaken here at legalonline.ie The idea is to make these services available to clients at an affordable price thus maximising clients opportunity to use their money towards the cost of the property itself, fittings and furnishings.

The length of time for transactions to complete varies from transaction to transaction. It is our job at legalonline.ie to advise you at the earliest possible moment, how long your particular transaction is likely to take. Purchasers of new houses are entirely dependant on the length of time it takes a builder to complete a development which can be months and sometimes in excess of one year. Purchases and sales of 2nd hand houses tend to be faster as there is no construction delay time and the purchaser is usually committed to the time required by the Vendor to vacate the house. Anywhere between six to twelve weeks is normal but, can be negotiated for longer or shorter periods.

Re-mortgages intend to be extremely fast and simply depend on the Title Documents being taken up by us and, us being in a position to vouch that the Title is in order. You should remember in these instances, and when selling, that if you have made any substantial alterations to the property requiring Planning Permission and/or Building By Law approval then, you will need to have this paperwork in order to avoid any delays. This will usually also necessitate a Certificate from an Architect confirming compliance with terms and conditions of Planning Permission and Building Regulations.

Stamp Duty and Gift Tax (if applicable) implications will be explained to you once instructions are taken. This will depend on the circumstances of each case and varies considerably.

All clients are forewarned about with the importance of providing accurate information to their Solicitor regarding their status when buying a property. As you are aware, different rates of Stamp Duty apply. Budget 2011 changed the rules on stamp duty on residential property . These changes took effect in respect of instruments executed on or after 8 December 2010. The rates were reduced and all existing reliefs and exemptions were abolished. The basic rate is now 1% on property up to the value of €1,000,000 and 2% on the balance.