A new internet company launched in the West Midlands aims to blaze a trail in transforming the house moving process.
Coventry-based Rapidmove has been set up specifically to produce electronic highquality Home Information Packs (HIPs) for Coventry and Warwickshire residents, guiding them through the minefield of new legislation for buying and selling homes.
Clients will be able to log on to rapidmove.com which will provide individual sellers, agents and solicitors access to quality HIPs, prepared and delivered electronically.
Customers will be able to access their individual packs with a password and protected log-in.
The Rapidmove team will collate and check documents and information as it comes in and compile a concise HIP for customers.
It will ultimately be emailed to a buyer's solicitor for checking and exchange of contracts once the seller is happy the buyer is genuine and ready to proceed.
Rapidmove's launch follows imminent changes in the Housing Act 2004 which will require all residential sellers to have an HIP containing complete information about their property before they can put it on the market.
HIPs are due to become a legal requirement by early 2007.
Technical director Tricia Lawlor, who has been involved in consultation with the Government on HIP legislation since its conception in 1999, said the team at Rapidmove was highly experienced with expert lawyers and conveyancers who were well known in the area and have good knowledge of the property market in Coventry and Warwickshire.
The Rapidmove team includes Petra Thomas, who has worked in private practice since 1997, dealing mainly in residential property, and specialist property solicitor Nick Button.
Mrs Lawlor said: "Moving house is considered one of the most stressful things you can do.
"What we are trying to do is provide information to ensure buyers and lenders can make decisions earlier, removing delay and uncertainty from offer to exchange of contracts.
"This has been the main thrust of the Government's legislation and we believe that it is well founded."
She added: "People will able to see the bigger picture straight away when looking for
a new home, and time-wasters can be identified earlier, reducing stress and costs.
"Our expertise will mean we will be able to deliver highquality HIPs, tailored to an individual client, in most cases within just ten working days.
"The HIP will contain all the information such as searches, environmental and title information and details on fixtures and fittings to ensure clients' properties can sell without delay.
"The packs will also include a Home Condition Report, a new style survey giving details about the condition of a property, and can be carried out currently by any RICS accredited surveyor, with new home inspectors coming on board in time for 2007.
"Rapidmove believe that personal service and use of technology will speed the process and take some of the worry out of selling. In essence, the HIPs are prepared by lawyers for lawyers to assist in making sales as smooth as possible."
Mrs Lawlor continued: "With our in-house expertise and by working closely with an extensive range of the region's quality independent estate agents, surveyors, valuers, builders and structural engineers we are offering something completely new and believe Rapidmove will be well placed to offer quality HIP's prior to 2007."
