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Solicitor recommendations for conveyancing?

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    Solicitor recommendations for conveyancing?

    Was going to post this in Accounting/Legal but wasn't sure it was relevant as its not really about contracting but anyway...we may have *finally* found a property that we like and feel we have a good chance of getting although I'm still hoping to get it down from its asking price (£297,500, next door identical just sold for £290k so that's the aim).

    I want to try and get all our ducks in a row as I want to get to exchange ASAP - we need to be exchanged by 10 Jan so we don't miss the cut off for applying for schools for our daughter. This obviously depends a lot on the onward chain as the vendors are looking to buy somewhere but I want to make sure things move as quickly as possible at our end.

    I've had one conveyancing quote from my mortgage broker's recommended firm that came in quite high - well over £1000. I've got some online quotes in the range of £750-1000, including a quote from these guys Homeward Legal for £541.20 conveyancing fees (all inclusive) + £400 in disbursements (not including stamp duty obviously).

    I'm trying to weigh up whether to go with an online conveyancer (I'm more than happy to deal with everything by email) or go with someone a bit more local. Any views on which is better and any particular online conveyancers you'd happily recommend? Thanks.

    #2
    I have no objection to doing things online (probably in the wrong profession if I did...), but I think in the case of a conveyance you can't do better than to instruct a local solicitor; especially if, as you say, you want to ensure that there are no delays - nothing quite like walking in and handing a signed document over the desk to know that it has got there on time.

    Also if the tulip hits the fan you can walk in and shout at them, and if it doesn't you can take them a bottle of wine.

    It's not all about price; the best price and the best value rarely coincide!

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      #3
      You want a local high street lawyer who can push things for you. Pay the extra money to ensure they hassle people...
      merely at clientco for the entertainment

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        #4
        Originally posted by TheCyclingProgrammer View Post
        I'm trying to weigh up whether to go with an online conveyancer (I'm more than happy to deal with everything by email) or go with someone a bit more local. Any views on which is better and any particular online conveyancers you'd happily recommend? Thanks.
        A lot depends on whether it will be a bog standard conveyance, in which case a legal bucket shop such as Premier Property Lawyers is probably adequate, versus whether there are any complications.

        Of course you may be unaware of potential snags that may crop up on the purchase side; but you should know if your sale should be pretty cut and dried.

        But for peace of mind and responsiveness I'd lash out £1000 or thereabouts for a good small family solicitor.

        Where are you based? I can highly recommend a couple of family solicitors in Sussex or Devon.
        Work in the public sector? Read the IR35 FAQ here

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          #5
          We used an online one, all went smoothly.
          Originally posted by MaryPoppins
          I'd still not breastfeed a nazi
          Originally posted by vetran
          Urine is quite nourishing

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            #6
            ours is about £2k buy & sell. + stamp duty. Local practice we can walk into and moan at.

            Its a fairly large one but so far they seem very professional.

            We found the ability to come face to face useful last time we moved when we used another one..
            Last edited by vetran; 7 October 2014, 12:45.
            Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.

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              #7
              Originally posted by OwlHoot View Post
              But for peace of mind and responsiveness I'd lash out £1000 or thereabouts for a good small family solicitor.

              Where are you based? I can highly recommend a couple of family solicitors in Sussex or Devon.
              No major complications that I can foresee but I'm a FTB so new to all of this.

              Property is relatively new - built in 2007. Mortgage is being arranged through my broker (Ben @ Power Mortgages who posts on here).

              We are currently in East London but the house we are interested in is in Colchester, Essex.

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                #8
                Having moved in June, I looked into a few Solicitor firms - both online and local.
                In the end, figured I was happier with a local firm that we could deal in person with, when the need arose. Pricewise, online conveyancing was cheaper looking, but from our limited experience of house buying and selling the face-to-face factor is worth a few ££s. Ended up paying a little over £1,500 for the purchase side of things, excluding Stamp Duty, natch.
                latest-and-greatest solution (TM) kevpuk 2013

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                  #9
                  Well, after 6 months of searching, 56 viewings and approx. 1500 miles covered in journeys we've just found out our offer on a property has been accepted, at last! Was on for £310k and we got it for £301k. Our budget 6 months ago started at £250k believe it or not. Thank you to my awesome broker (Ben @ Power Mortgages) for finding a great mortgage deal from a lender willing to lend us well in excess of the £250k mortgage we're going to need. Now we begin the stressful move towards exchange (need to exchange by Jan for school applications!).

                  Thanks for all the input on solicitors. I've got 3 decent quotes from online solicitors, one of which I'm leaning towards, but also got a few coming from an EA and going to arrange a few local quotes tomorrow.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by TheCyclingProgrammer View Post
                    Well, after 6 months of searching, 56 viewings and approx. 1500 miles covered

                    Congratulations on your new ball and chain , fingers crossed for a smooth transaction!


                    You must be very fussy! I looked at about 6 before buying my current home (it's a bit specialised so not a huge market) and about ten before buying the BTL (which turned out to be a cracking deal)

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