FTB & conveyancing help

toocan

Ive just had an offer accepted on a house I beleive the next step is to get in touch with a conveyancing solicitor to progress things?

Im just wondering where the best place to find one is? Price neccesarly doesnt win it for me id like good, fast response service. What sort of questions could i ask to gain wether they are decent? does acreditation count? is local best? is there a website with independant reviews?

help much appreciated

KateLiana27

Personal recommendation is best - ask around family and friends who have recently moved.

Local is helpful, as they know the area (eg what searches are/are not required, how long the local council takes to answer queries, etc), and it is easy to pop in with things like your ID and to sign contracts.

Contact three proper solicitors' firms to get quotes. See how efficiently they respond, and if they provide a fully itemised quote rather than estimates. Try to speak to the solicitor/conveyancer directly to see how you click with them. Ask who will actually be handling the case (solicitor/conveyancer or subbed out to underlings). Google the firm just in case there are a load of bad reviews about them, but I did struggle to find actual reviews for conveyancers and solicitors' firms.

chesneyoctopus

KateLiana27 is absolutely right. Avoid internet firms which promise low fees, but have lengthy tems and conditions which allow them to add extra charges, and will assign to you a "case handler" with no qualifications in conveyancing.

hazyjo

A small point, but I find it helps loads if they use email. Some don't have, or don't give out their email addresses.

Jx

Procrastinator333

I'm new to this too, and started a thread a few days back:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3313854



The first thing I would suggest is phone up the sellers solicitor. They won't be able to act for you, but ask who they work well with. Get a quote from whoever they say. Not saying definately take it, but must be worth getting a quote from them.

I did that, plus got 3 other quotes. All from local solicitors, none from internet firms. In the end, they were all about the same price wise. But I went for the one in that thread because the fees were so clearly and openly explained (others looked cheaper but had hidden extras) and the fact that I had 1 person to deal with, had his direct email, number and could visit the office at any time without appointment.

Time will tell if this was the right choice, but all early indicators are it is working well.

Good luck with it all.

Richard_Webster

Some sensible advice in this thread.