Home Information Pack Solution (HIPs) Firsthips

News

Firsthips Review - June 2008 - For Lawyers


Lawyers' Review Welcome to the June 2008 issue of the Firsthips Review. Each month we will include news, advice and articles from the HIP industry front-line. We welcome comments and suggestions for additional content.

 

Increase Your Conveyancing Business

Firsthips Provides First E-conveyancing System

After years of development Firsthips has proudly announced the latest version of its e-conveyancing system for use by lawyers who are registered Firsthips users. The system allows the full process of conveyancing from HIP assembly through to completion, to take place online. The online messaging system enables lawyers to communicate with each other and their clients and transfer documents across the system. At the start of each transaction the sellers lawyer can provide an online contract and deal with all preliminary enquiries, avoiding the slow and expensive postal and DX alternative. The system provides a high degree of security and confidentiality so that, for example, it is not possible for one lawyer to communicate with the other lawyer's client. The conveyancing section of the system is designed for the exclusive use of the lawyers although they have the option of sending copies of documents and messages to other users.

Future versions will include automatic online document assembly and triggered reminders, but using the current system users can expect to cut the time of the current process down to less than a third of the time it takes using conventional methods.

This unique online system is available now and is free to use for all lawyers who register with Firsthips. Why not give us a call and we can arrange for you to start using this unique system immediately.

HIPs Sell Houses Faster

According to research undertaken by Connells the estate agents, properties with Home Information Packs sell faster than those without.

A study by the estate agent tracked properties between the 2nd August 2007 and 31st March 2008 and concluded that properties with HIPs were sold twelve days faster than those without. A spokesman said that having the information in the pack available early meant that the conveyancing process can start immediately.

In this quiet market where there is the constant worry that prices will continue to fall, it is more essential than ever to establish an early commitment and exchange of contracts. The Firsthips system has enabled many estate agents across the country to receive completed HIPs within days of the order being ploaced and by using the unique Firsthips HIP link, buyers conveyancers can view and download the searches and legal title within minutes of the offer being accepted.

House Buying Review

The Conservative party has set up a review of house-buying to seek to find ways to improve the process for buyers and sellers. Headed by Grant Shapps MP, Owen Inskip and Kirsty Allsop, the objective will be to try and find ways to improve the lengthy and frustrating business of house selling that HIPs was designed to help achieve. Whilst the party has always declared its hostility to HIPs there is now an indication that they have accepted the logic behind providing the searches and title information when the property is marketed. If the conservatives form the next government then it seems highly likely that the concept of HIPs will be accepted as a way forward and will remain as part of a series of additional measures.

The recent conference organised by the party concluded that the various stakeholders involved in the process would ultimately only be able to agree recommended measures and in consequence it was likely that legislation would be need to provide a system that everyone was forced to adhere to.

Getting the most from HIPs
Great Value Floorplans from £15+VAT

NRG Experts, an EPC supplier to Firsthips users are pleased to be able to offer Floorplans on properties from 1 June. Delivered electronically to the solicitor/agency office and in a high-resolution jpeg format suitable for all leading estate agency software. The floorplans are created using CAD software and include square footage details and annotated kitchen appliances and bathroom fittings. Dimensions are also included but can be removed on request. The cost for a floorplan is simply £15 for each property from 1 to 6 bedrooms when added to the EPC visit by an NRG Experts energy assessor.


Improvement to EPC Rating Calculators

There have been a number of unfortunate negative stories about the EPC in the national press recently. The EPC was never intended to provide a 'one-size fits all' solution. To this end, the final stages of discussions are going on between the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) and the leading Energy Assessment Schemes about the introduction this Autumn of U-value input as part of the energy assessment carried out by the Domestic Energy Assessor or Home Inspector. By having the ability to input different U-values (the measure of the insulation ability of different materials) for floors and walls, this will improve the accuracy of the final result of the EPC.

Did You Know?

You can now easily alert a Firsthips supervisor with reference to a specific property. In the property's message centre simply tick "Firsthips Supervisor" and enter your message. The supervisor receiving your message will know which property your message refers to.

Did You Know?

Improved payment monitoring for fast tracking of unpaid and deferred payment cases. This is particularly useful to track deferred payment cases.


Any Feedback?

If you have any feedback regarding this newsletter, the firsthips system, HIPs in general or any stories you think are relevant and would like us to publish in the next newsletter, then please contact us.

Help and Advice?

We regularly update our FAQ section with useful and relevant information for our clients. Recent entries include some of the latest government clarifications regarding market concerns such as:

Go to firsthips FAQ


Success stories

Key Features