Picking the right conveyancing solicitor can be like picking a needle out of the haystack. Do you rely on recommendations from family or friends or pave your own way and select one yourself. Do you go for the cheapest fees? Or do you find the one that’s recommended to do the job you want and need?
A number of things to consider when picking a conveyancing solicitor who will give you all of the information you need to make the best choice.
Are they on your mortgage lender’s panel?
Picking a solicitor that is not on your mortgage lender’s approved panel of solicitors can lead to unnecessary complications or even a refusal to lend, if your lender is open to using your conveyancing solicitor then click the ‘instant quotes’ button at the top of this website and get a quote.
Fees
Solicitors will all charge fees, these can be wide-ranging, depending on location and reputation. Ordinarily, a house purchase will be a trying time on your finances so make sure that you budget for your conveyancing costs. The cheapest conveyancer is not often the best solicitor so be cautious if the price is significantly lower than you expected. That’s why at The Conveyancing Team we don’t just try to get the best price we want to get you the right solicitor for the job.
Recommendations
A great way of evaluating a solicitor is to check what the previous clients have to say about them as a conveyancer. If a conveyancer has outstanding reviews from people that they have taken through the process you’re likely to be in safe hands.
Ask your family and friends
At some point they our friends and family are likely to have been through the house buying process. Having a family-recommended solicitor gives you a good idea of what expectations you should have. Likewise, if they have had a poor experience you know you can discount them from your list.
Check their credentials
Experienced solicitors are likely to be far better equipped to handle your conveyancing than a practice that is made up of legal juniors. Don’t be afraid to ask your solicitor what experience they have and what qualifications they hold. At The Conveyancing Team all solicitors on the panel are vetted and need to have set standards to work with us.
Don’t take an estate agent’s recommendation
Estate agencies currently face a vast number of financial challenges, one way they negate this is by having an agreement with solicitors. Often times an estate agent will recommend a conveyancer because they have a financial agreement in place (commission) for every client they pass to the solicitor This is normally because they have a financial agreement for every client they pass over. This can lead to you receiving poorer service than if you had sought out your own conveyancer or solicitor.
The age of the internet
While you may be tempted to hire a local conveyancer because they offer attractive rates, hiring a conveyancer online could get you the best rates and the best solicitor for the type of property you have. A local conveyancer might well be the right conveyancer but just because they are local doesn’t mean they are the best solicitor for the job.
Find out your solicitor’s fee structure
Just going back to the original fee point, you should find out how your conveyancer’s fee structure operates and whether they charge a fixed fee or if they charge a percentage of the property value. Some conveyancers like estate agents will charge a percentage of the value of the property you’re purchasing which could drive up fees compared to traditional fixed fee conveyancers. At The Conveyancing Team, all our solicitors will supply you with you a full breakdown of all fees, approaching a solicitor to manage your property sale or purchase should be transparent and clear from the very beginning.
Communication
The property buying process can be convoluted and confusing, especially if you’re a first-time buyer. A conveyancer that communicates with you as the process unfolds is definitely one you should seek out. Chasing solicitors as well as all of the other hassles that come along with buying a property is additional and unneeded stress. Good conveyancers hold your hand every step of the way. Choosing the right solicitor could be the single most important thing you do along the house buying journey go to www.theconveyancingteam.co.uk