OneSearch Direct, the largest local search data company in the UK, has today expanded its Express No-Search Indemnity range to assist the conveyancing industry as it copes with a rejuvenated housing market.
Economy-boosting initiatives such as the stamp duty holiday, relaxed planning regulations and competitive remortgage deals, coupled with pent up demand and an increase in virtual auctions and viewings, has resulted in a surge in conveyancing transactions. Due to ongoing precautions associated with COVID-19, however, many cases are being negatively impacted by delays due to furloughed or reduced services in some firms and local authorities.
In partnership with leading Legal Indemnity Insurance Broker Northcott Beaton, OneSearch created OneSearch Express, a no-search insurance policy which allows conveyancers to transact quickly, as it indemnifies against the following searches which can sometimes cause unacceptable hold ups:
- A Search of the Local Land Charges Register form LLC1
- A Search of CON29R and/or CON29O records
- A Search of Water and Drainage records on CON29DW
- A search of the Coal Authority’s records on form CON29M
- An environmental risk assessment (excludes Commercial Express)
- A full Chancel Repair Liability search
Express provides a data-rich alternative to standard No-Search Insurance, as it also offers an additional comprehensive report pertinent to a client’s property, typically returned injust 24 hours. Express addresses a crucial gap in the market where conveyancers are compelled to use no-search insurance due to time-pressure, yet still have a duty of care to their clients (and lenders) by providing information to the best of their ability. The Express range can be purchased as a standalone no-search insurance policy or including a supplementary data report, and has expanded to accommodate the following sectors:
- Remortgage
- Cash Purchase
- Auction
- New Build
- Existing Residential
- Commercial
Lidia Quinlan, Head of Sales, OneSearch Direct, comments: “We’re beginning to see a clearer picture of how the economic stimulus is impacting our clients. Property investors are taking advantage of the stamp duty holiday and expanding portfolios while terms are attractive. Remortgaging activity has spiked and we’ve also noticed a rise in auction transactions and cash purchases. Our clients have been using Express since 2015 for those times when even an expedited search needs accelerated, so we know it has an important place during this period of economic recovery.”
“For those investing in buy-to-let, clients are eager to transact quickly in order to start receiving a rental yield. Express is well suited for remortgages, when property details are unlikely to have changed since the initial local search was conducted and lenders are most concerned with any new proposals in the pipeline that might affect the future value of a property. For cash purchases, searches aren’t typically required, but are really important in order to identify red flags, which would certainly otherwise go unnoticed until it’s too late.
Elizabeth Jarvis, Managing Director, OneSearch Direct, comments: “Naturally we’re delighted to see an increase in volumes, but we’re being pragmatic and expect this is a peak in the housing market, as opposed to a new normal. In each property sector covered by Express, the commonality is tight timescales. Auctions, for instance, generally require completion within 30 days of the bid being accepted. Similarly with new builds and shared ownership, exchange is typically required within 28 days of the purchase being agreed. Indeed, New Build Express has proven very popular in the last year.
“Express means that you and your client can complete with more confidence, make intelligent investments, and tie matters up quickly to get on with your next case. I’m delighted that we’re able to assist our clients throughout this busy period before the market returns to a more moderate level.”
To find out more about OneSearch Express, call the Service Introduction Team on 01782 433 270 or email intro@onesearchdirect.co.uk. You can download sample reports here.
For more information on OneSearch Direct, visit onesearch.direct or call main headquarters on 0800 052 0117.
