PROPERTY
FURLEY PAGE: CONVEYING KNOWLEDGE EXPERIENCE & RESULTS
A Q & A with Darren Philpot, Partner and Head of Residential Property
Darren, you handle everything from sales and purchases to shared ownership and equity release. How do you deliver such a broad service consistently well? Some firms only act in distinct areas of conveyancing, I am pleased to confirm we have expertise in all aspects of property law at Furley Page. We achieve that through our biggest asset: our people. We are proud to have retained first class professionals with a combined experience of over 100 years of practice, ensuring that we are well positioned to guide clients through the successful sale or purchase of their property.
Communication is central to your approach. How do you keep transactions moving and clients informed at every stage? Every client is an individual and as individuals we value the personal touch, especially during what for many can be a stressful- or exciting- time! Whether via email, in person or over the phone( each client is given their solicitor’ s direct dial at the outset) we are there for our clients when they need us. We encourage an open dialogue between the parties, to ensure that the desired outcome is achieved as quickly and as smoothly as possible.
You’ re accredited under the Law Society’ s Conveyancing Quality Scheme( CQS). What does that mean in practical terms for clients? The CQS accreditation is a‘ gold standard’ for residential conveyancing practices in England and Wales. It signifies that a firm adheres to high standards of client care and is trusted by lenders and insurers. Choosing a CQS-accredited firm means clients can expect a transparent, professional service.
With strong roots across Kent and Medway, how does your local knowledge give buyers and sellers an edge over using a national firm? Although we act for clients all over the country, we have the distinct advantage of in-depth local knowledge. This knowledge extends beyond managing a transaction efficiently to matters such as climate risk, coastal issues, mining and historical buildings. My own specialism lies in Country Houses and Listed Buildings and Kent has the second highest proportion of Listed Buildings in England. Our expertise means we consider problems people might not have considered and offer tailored solutions.
What are the most common pitfalls that delay a move- and how can clients avoid them early on? No two matters are the same, but being prepared is key to avoiding delays. The best advice I can give to sellers is to instruct your conveyancing solicitor as soon as possible, preferably as soon as you list the property for sale. This will allow your solicitor to review your property details and ascertain if there are any issues which can be resolved before your buyer discovers them. We are happy to have an initial conversation with potential clients if they require advice at the outset.
What’ s the biggest challenge facing today’ s residential property market, and how are you helping clients navigate it with confidence? Unfortunately, there has been a move to commoditise conveyancing with the transformation from a bespoke, relationshipbased service to a standardised, consumer product. At Furley Page we strongly believe that your home is your most important investment and we treat it as such.
Anything else you’ d like our readers to know? We have just celebrated our 300th year, an incredible achievement for a law firm. Our longevity demonstrates that we have been trusted through generations by individuals, families and businesses. The key to our success has been building and retaining relationships with clients and supporting our community, in Kent and beyond.
Thinking about moving house? Contact Darren at djp @ furleypage. co. uk or call 01227 763939 and ask for Residential Property and Conveyancing.
furleypage. co. uk
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