Factors to consider when choosing solicitor?

united4ever

I'm buying a new build through shared ownership and have reserved a plot which will be ready in March.

The housing association have asked me to send them my soloicitor details. They have also given me a list of solicitors frequently used by their purchasers.

As a FTB I don't know what questions I should be asking solicitors before appointing one. Unlike with an open market buy time is not of the essence. Price would definitely be a consideration but what else should I be considering. Would it be wrong to call every solicitor on the list and go with the cheapest?

Any advice welcome

Mrs_pbradley936

Most are competitive on prices but I would choose one that is easy to get to if you have to pop in and sign anything although most of it will be done by post. The formalites of buying follow a usual pattern of mortgage offer, survey, searches, lease queries, contract, exchange and completion. In your case I assume you will be buying a per centage and renting the rest.

Bargain_Rzl

Definitely go with one that specialises in shared ownership, which all on the "list" presumably will.

I ended up going for one from my HA's list which cost more than the cheapest, but had the distinct advantage of being based a 2-minute walk away from my office which saved a bit of postage time!

kebl0826

united4ever wrote:

I'm buying a new build through shared ownership and have reserved a plot which will be ready in March.

The housing association have asked me to send them my soloicitor details. They have also given me a list of solicitors frequently used by their purchasers.

As a FTB I don't know what questions I should be asking solicitors before appointing one. Unlike with an open market buy time is not of the essence. Price would definitely be a consideration but what else should I be considering. Would it be wrong to call every solicitor on the list and go with the cheapest?

Any advice welcome

I received a list from my HA as well but didn't like the fact that none of them were local.

I think it pays to use someone local as they will be used to dealing with the local borough councils (for carrying out searches).

Always ask if they are familair with shared ownerhip deals.

The lowest I was quoted was £890 for everything plus the mortgage lenders legal fee (not confirmed yet) and £45 for money transfer

kebl0826

Forgot to mention that you will need to provide identification (passport etc) as part of the solicitors legal requirement to combat money laundering. Unless you are willing to go through the hassle of posting original documents, it is nice to be able to visit them in person.

MegS

In most cases the local search is done online with Searchflow so it makes no difference whether a solicitor is local. It is best to choose someone who is experienced in shared ownership purchases. As far as the identification is concerned you can go to any local solicitor and ask for a certified copy of your passport (and most won't charge you for it). Your mortgage broker could also confirm identification and send the copy of your passport duly certified to your solicitor as well. Would not recommend posting passports, only this week we have had the post office lose one sent by recorded delivery. They then said they couldn't track it until it was delivered which is no help whatsoever when they have lost the damn thing.

GhostDog_2

I chose my solicitor on personal recommendation and she's an absolute gem! :beer:
I've also felt less embarrassed about admitting how much I didn't understand to a fellow female and she's always been great at reassuring me when I'm stressing! :T

barnaby-bear

united4ever wrote:

I'm buying a new build through shared ownership and have reserved a plot which will be ready in March.

The housing association have asked me to send them my soloicitor details. They have also given me a list of solicitors frequently used by their purchasers.

As a FTB I don't know what questions I should be asking solicitors before appointing one. Unlike with an open market buy time is not of the essence. Price would definitely be a consideration but what else should I be considering. Would it be wrong to call every solicitor on the list and go with the cheapest?

Any advice welcome

One that you can pop into (i.e. local) and does face to face meetings as part of the package - it was so stressful as FTBers and ours was fantastic and near work. Also look for no completion = no legal fees (usually searches not refundable) but imagine shelling out 400 quid if it fell through on top. Also try playing them off I was offered £200 off list fees because commented expensive compared to elsewhere. Ask about search fees our quotes ranged £23 to £47 on environmental alone it depends who they use, look at the land registry check ours charged £2.10 if you do it yourself it's £2 but doesn't count but some quoted up to £13!!!:eek: . Look for a place with more than one partner (what if he's sick etc) - same for surveyor. Surveyor was a nightmare as only partner and on holiday and mortgage had queries. Personally I'd appoint own surveyor for homebuyer rather than mortgage company (that was the missing link). Local = good they usually have seen houses in same road etc.

lynzpower

Bargain_Rzl wrote:

Definitely go with one that specialises in shared ownership, which all on the "list" presumably will.

I ended up going for one from my HA's list which cost more than the cheapest, but had the distinct advantage of being based a 2-minute walk away from my office which saved a bit of postage time!

for god sake united dont use Thompsons partnership in Plymouth, who are often recommended on these things they were utterly crap for me, so bad I fired them
Im using one a fellow MSEr recommeneded, fairly pleased so far but
Next time im doing my own conveyancing :A