Local vs Online Conveyance

Richard_Webster

There's no local authority search fee listed in the second quote, are these not included?

Quite - the online people will still have to do the local search - did OP read the small print to see if it was mentioned?

I would certainly contact the online practice and ask why there was no allowance for a local search. At the same time check whether they are making any other charges, e.g. for doing legal work on the mortgage, or for filling in the SDLT form - and ask the local one about that last point too!

InkZ

I've used northern solicitors (i'm on the south coast) for two purchases and a sale (3 different firms) and never had a problem with the process.

My advice would be to check out that particular solicitor on the net for reviews etc. Never felt the need to use a local solicitor personally. Everything is done by letter anyway, it takes no longer to post a letter 200 miles than it does to post it a few streets away.

You just want to make sure you don't pick a solicitor miles away who never answers the phone, that's when you get in trouble. At least when they are local you can go round and shake them up.

Do your research and pick by service not by location would be my personal opinion

hcb42

local for me.

Too many horror stories and poor service when online, and this is not an area to be taking risks

happy_2008

Well i have a friend who has used Drummonds & Co solicitors who are technically (Online Conveyance). According to him he hasnt had a problem with them having used them a few times from his previous job.

FTBFun

When trying to purchase my property last year (no chain), I tried some recommendations from MSE and got quotes back pretty sharpish.

This is the quote I got from my local solicitor (5 mins away from where I was living at the time), after I called to request a quote:

" "

Yes, they didn't even bother returning my call. So I went with one of the online ones instead, who were pretty decent.

fikhan

Hi,

I am in the process of buying and selling and chose to use online with some reluctance, my solicitors have been excellent in communication and professionalism thus far, we are in the early stages so can not give a conclusive recommendation at this stage.

Regards
FK

happy_2008

FTBFun wrote: »

When trying to purchase my property last year (no chain), I tried some recommendations from MSE and got quotes back pretty sharpish.

This is the quote I got from my local solicitor (5 mins away from where I was living at the time), after I called to request a quote:

" "

Yes, they didn't even bother returning my call. So I went with one of the online ones instead, who were pretty decent.

Who did you use?

FTBFun

happy_2008 wrote: »

Who did you use?

Premier Property Lawyers.

I'm aware some people have had problems with them but personally I found they were fine.

Flat_Eric

happy_2008 wrote: »

Got an offer accepted on a property we bidded on and currently researching the costs for solicitors was little shocked at the price difference:

Local
Our Charges: £550.00
Our Charges Mortgage: £50.00
Bank Transfer Fee: £30.00
Land Registry Fee: £200.00
Local Authority & Drainage Search Fee: £210.00
Land Registry Search Fee: £4.00
Land Charges Search Fee: £4.00
VAT: £126.00

Total £1,174.00

Online Conveyance:
Legal Fee: £425.00
Bank Transfer: £30.00
Mining Search £24.00
Land Registry Fee: £200.00
Land Registry and Bankruptcy Search: £8.00
Water Drainage Search: £50.00
VAT: £91.00

Total £828.00

Theres almost £300.00 difference between the two! My friend has used the online conveyance before and a little research shows that the solicitors behind them are Drummond and Co. Just wondering which one to go with

happy_2008 wrote: »

We are FTB so just buying. How much is the average rate for buying then?[/

I have to side with the local solicitor particularly as you are first time buyers. There is no guarantee of course that you won't get a rubbish service from a local solicitor but at least if the service is not what you are expecting or you are dissatisfied, you can turn up at their door. If something goes a miss with an online conveyancer, you are hardly going to jump in the car and drive up/down the motorway. And wouldn't you like to be able to sit down with your solicitor and have stuff explained to you ? I f the online conveyancer isn't local to you then I guess this won't happen,

Buying a house is probably the most important and expensive purchase we will ever make - surely that is worth the investment.

I would be inclined to get some more quotes from local solicitors and see how they compare.

timmyt

gordonbennet wrote: »

I agree. Local is really worth it. By all means phone several in the area to compare quotes, but it makes all the difference to use a solicitor who REALLY knows the area you are buying in.

They will be familiar with the locality, with the foibles of the local authority, and any particular issues that tend to crop up in that area. They may know of particular local searches that are necessary which might not occur to a remote person. (I once bought a place in an area which had been heavily mined 150 years ago. Too close to a disused mine and there was a risk of subsidence and my insurance would have been astronomical. The local solicitor got a mines survey done to show the exact locations of the mines and proved all was fine)

And if the sellers solicitor is also local it can really speed things up as they will be familiar with each other. They might even hand deliver documents rather than trust them to snail mail!

Local doesn't help, that is a red herring, but a safety blanket I guess for some.

I would certianly always recommend NOT using online, unless you know who the Firm is, and in giving you a cheap as chips price, what are you not going to get compared to what your neighbour who uses a HIgh STreet solicitor is going to get (I.e you won't get an actual solicitor or Legal Executive, you won't get the same qualified lawyer from start to finish, nor their personal phone number, out of hours mobile, personal email etc etc etc.) Can you take the risk that you just get the cleaner doing your work. And when things go wrong, here today, dot.com tomorrow.