Searching for an online conveyancing solicitor to help with your home purchase or sale may just save you money, the online conveyancing services usually do come up with more competitive pricing but, are they right for you? We look at how online conveyancing works, tips for finding a good online conveyancing solicitor and what to expect in terms of fees.
Whether a conveyancing solicitor operates online only or works from an office local to you, there will be some that offer a brilliant service at a great price while others will charge over the odds and leave a lot to be desired.
For that reason, it’s a good idea to check out the online reviews before making your choice. Even though it can sometimes be difficult to tell whether reviews are genuine, this is still a useful first step in your research.
Shop around but make sure you use like for like, once you have chosen a solicitor make sure you ask him some questions, such as
How much will you be charging:
We recommend you go to https://www.conveyancing-online.co.uk/get-a-quote/, here you can get a competitive instant quote so will have a full breakdown of all charges.
Who will be handling my case:
The most experienced solicitor in the firm may give you the quote, but often you’ll find it’s the junior team member who actually works on your case. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. For straightforward sales the conveyancing process should be pretty standard and nothing a newly qualified solicitor couldn’t handle.
However, it’s important to know who is working on your case so that you can build a relationship with them and, in the event you run into issues and need to speak to someone for clarification or a concern. If your case is a little more complex such as buying a new build property or leasehold property where you will want to discuss restrictions and costs associated with being a leaseholder), you may prefer a more experienced solicitor. Ask for the name of the person that you will be speaking to in that instance.
Which bodies are you a member of:
Conveyancing solicitors should be members of professional bodies such as the Law Society and the Council of Licensed Conveyancers. Check which professional body they’re a member of before appointing them.
Have you dealt with many cases like mine:
Not all home sales are the same. Yes, there’s the run of the mill, three bedroom 1930s semi but there’s also a host of factors that can make things a little more complicated. And if your conveyancing solicitor isn’t accustomed to cases like yours, it could hold the whole process up and mean you aren’t getting the level of service you need. If you’re buying a leasehold or buying a new build home for example, you’ll be much better off opting for a solicitor who has dealt with similar properties before.
What costs will I pay if the sale falls through:
It’s important to ask your conveyancing solicitor how much you’d need to pay if the sale falls through. It is possible to find firms that offer ‘no move, no fee’, but you should double check what that means. For example, does it mean that you still need to pay third party costs? Do you need to pay for an insurance policy to be eligible for this, and if so how much will the premiums be?
Are you approved by my mortgage lender:
Many mortgage lenders will only work with conveyancing solicitors that are on their approved panel, but most conveyancing referral services will ask this upfront so you don’t end up with a conveyancing solicitor that your lender rejects. You can still choose to work with a firm that isn’t approved, but you’ll need to pay extra and the costs can pile up.
When will I need to pay the fees:
It’s important to check when you’ll be expected to pay the conveyancing bill. It could be that you need to pay when you exchange, or when you complete. You may be asked to pay a deposit at the start, and you may need to settle the bill for disbursements as they come up. In short, this varies by firm so make sure you find out when payment is due.
