Selecting a Solicitor - Advice please

Housebuyer958

Hi

I've recently had an offer accepted and my broker is on holiday so can't start any mortgage process for a few days. My broker gave me the name of a solicitor to get a quote from and it came out about £1100 all in which seemed okay so I gave the name to the estate agents but haven't paid anything yet.

I have three questions:

1. Am I tied to the solicitor due to using the broker?

2. I noticed that the solicitor is in Chester and I'm in Slough (about 300 miles). Would it be better if I had a solicitor in Slough (ie speed, post, etc)

3. Is it a good or bad idea to use the same solicitor as the seller?

Cheers

Plans_all_plans

I'm no expert but I dont think you're tied to the solicitor cos of going through the broker. If you are able to use another solicitor nearer to your current home I would, purely cos if necessary you can drive documentation to them and speed things up a bit. I would def say not to use the same solicitor as the vendor: it would be a total conflict of interest, they can't act in both of your best interests.

Someone more knowledgable will be along in a mo tho! I'm a FTB myself.

CLAPTON

1 no, you don't have to use the broker solicitor

2. it's better to be near enough to visit and discuss things

3. no you can't use your vendor's solicitor as there would be a clear conflict of interests