Finlay Cullender
First Time Buyer
We instructed BTMK as conveyancers for our first house purchase. As it was a new build, we were under a tight 6-week deadline to exchange and complete. BTMK worked efficiently to try to meet this deadline, although unfortunately due to lender response times taking a long time, this deadline was missed. We also ended up with the plot being remarketed despite being close to exchange / completion. This was no fault of BTMK and their communication with us as buyers throughout was fantastic. Zia Haque was my main point of contact (Kevin Bourley's team), and his communication, and patience in dealing with my many questions, as well as staying late to progress our file, was very much appreciated. We were understandably stressed out by the process, but Zia & Kevin's calm, communicative approach to the matter, and their expedience in dealing with issues that arose really did make a difference. We had several points that our lender needed clarifying, which took a long time despite chasing, but as soon as these came back (and we required a bespoke indemnity policy), Zia and Kevin quickly acted to obtain the necessary policy to satisfy the lender (and at a good price too). Every item from the lender was actioned swiftly in order to meet the deadline we were facing. Fortunately, we managed to exchange and complete before our final deadline to complete, and we have been left with full confidence in our purchase. It does feel that no stone has been left unturned in the purchase. I would say that one area of improvement for BTMK, particularly for purchasers of new builds, is that the lead time between instructing and the file actually being opened is too long. We waited about 10 working days (2 weeks) before any work started, so this could be looked into as an area for improvement. Once the work started, however, we have no complaints in how they dealt with us, our Seller, or our lender. Both our lenders' and our interests were fully protected in this transaction. Zia and Kevin were both fantastic, and also Kavita Ryatt in the Rayleigh office who handled our Declaration of Trust (and will be handling our Wills).
from BTMK Solicitors Limited
Thank you so much for the detailed review, Finlay! New-build deadlines are notoriously tight, and Zia, Kevin, and Kavita will be thrilled to hear their calm, thorough approach gave you total confidence in your first home.
