Moving home in Bedford? Local knowledge makes all the difference. Fridaysmove's Bedford Conveyancing team is able to employ their local knowledge to help you move home sooner. With regard to issues commonly arising during Bedford home-moves, your Solicitor will also utilise their area experience to anticipate and resolve these before they affect you.

We have assisted home movers throughout Bedford, including Conveyancing in MK40, MK42, MK43, MK44, MK45.

The Bedford Property Landscape

Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire, in the East of England. The urban area includes Kempston, Elstow and Biddenham. Searches for Conveyancing in Bedford are carried out through Bedford Borough Council at Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford, MK42 9AP.

There are a number of properties within Bedford (including those formerly owned by the council or built on land that was owned) affected by covenants attached to their freehold title that restrict both the land-use, and certain types of development that their owners may carry out. The Solicitor handling your Conveyancing in Bedford will make enquiries to the council on your behalf to find out whether the said covenants can be removed.

There is wide selection of terraced housing and ex-council properties in Bedford town centre, including both apartment blocks and also a number of modern developments, particularly near the two stations, Bedford rail station in the town centre, and St John. Given the ready access to the capital via First Capital Connect, Bedford is ideal for commuters and purchasers looking for buy-to-let opportunities.

Kempston is a district located to the south-west of Bedford, South of the River Great Ouse and West of the railway. Properties in this area include:

• 30s-built properties, primarily semi-detached
• Terraces from various dates including Victorian
• Flat conversions and purpose-built flats

New-builds such as the recent townhouses on King William Road and Ryswick Road's modern terraces, and the fairly recent Hillgrounds.

Do you know if your Bedford new home purchase is designated as in at risk conservation area?

Are you thinking of purchasing a home in a Bedford conservation area? Conservation areas are designated by Local Authorities to preside over change in areas that people want to preserve the character of. Living in a designated conservaion area can add a significant amount to the value of your home. Unfortunately however, many are not being properly managed e.g. traffic calming and traffic management signs, seleeping policeman etc

The following conservation areas are reported as at risk:

• Bedford - very bad, low vulnerability and deteriorating.

Bedford Regeneration Projects:

Works either scheduled or underway include Castle Quay, St. Cuthbertss Church, Riverside Square,the Alleygates Project and the lighting scheme along the river between Town Bridge and Prebend Bridge.

My solicitor is not on my Lender's panel - what do I do?

Lenders maintain panels of law firms to perform mortgage legal work. While these panels were once open, allowing any firm to join, that is no longer the case. Lenders have also reduced the size of their panels, setting more restrictive criteria for membership. If your conveyancing solicitor is not on your preferred lender's panel, then the lender will not instruct that firm to act in connection with the mortgage. You then have a choice; you can either select a different lender or solicitor. It is possible to continue with your original choices, but your lender will expect you to pay for the legal costs relating to the mortgage. Bear in mind that it is usually more efficient and less expensive for the same firm act for you and your lender. If you instruct a different firm who is on your lender's panel, be aware that their quality and speed of service, along with the cost, may be quite different to that of your first choice. Before instructing another law firm, do your research as you would were they your first choice.

Looking for a mortgage lender with a branch in Bedford, Bedfordshire, try:

• Halifax, 14, Silver Street, MK40 1SU - Tel: 08456 814094