Solicitor appointed by Estate Agent

Rob_K

Hi all,

My partner and I have just had an offer accepted on a flat- our first ever mortgage.. obviously its a huge step and we're very excited, but we're also a bit wet behind the ears and probably very vulnerable to being taken advantage of. I spoke to our agent yesterday and he told me that they'd like to appoint a solicitor (Countrywide) as it would ensure things will go smoothly and also that the seller had been told that we "would probably go with the appointed solicitor" and that this had helped seal the deal in our favour. I know this to probably be true because we were in a bidding war with someone who was able to pay cash. I was annoyed however, as I had made no promise of the sort.

My dad sent me some quotes he found from online solicitors who specialise in property, and they are very slightly cheaper than the ones the agent is putting forward.

My inclination is to go with the Agent's solicitor because I believe it will be quicker and less hassle, for a very small increase in price. But I also feel that I could be getting lured into something and I don't entirely trust the agent after they told the seller we would use their solicitor.

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice for a property buying newbie? :rolleyes:

Thanks in advance!
Rob

Cazza

Used to work for Countrywide on the Estate Agency side! The solicitors are quite expensive and half the time used to make our lives more difficult than if someone had used a good local solicitor. The only reason we continued to recommend them was because the hassle you got from head office for not hitting your target was more than the hassle of chasing the Countrywide solicitors. Look around for cheaper solicitors, but always choose them on the basis of recommendation from friends or family, a good solicitor is worth their weight in gold and can make or break a transaction!

WaveyDave_2

When I sold my house, the EA recommended a solicitor, but it turned out my buyer was using them, so we went elsewhere (friend of the family in the end, who offered a discount). My buyer's solicitor turned out to be rubbish, very slow. He of course blamed my solicitor, but it was all bluster. I found out from my solicitor afterward that the EA recommended solicitor offered commission to any EA that recommends them :mad:

My solicitor doesn't do commission, and relies on returning custom!

I'd personally be wary!

crazydiamond22

I would read the terrible reviews here
http://www.ciao.co.uk/Reviews/Countrywide_Property_Lawyers__5658256

about Countrywide before considering to appoint them.

From my experience I would also appoint someone local so you can go and see them face to face if there are any problems or delays.

virgo149

Ring around a few and get some quotes, or better still ask friends/acquaintances who have moved recently and get a recommendation. I always feel slightly twitchy about using their recommendation. Plus what a cheek to suggest that this swung the deal in your favour, it all sounds a bit fishy to me. If you can't get any recommendations go onto the Law Society website and they will provide you with a list of local solicitors for you to ring.

Whatever you decide, you need to do it quickly as the wheels will start to move now.

BTW we used Countrywide when we bought a new build 5 years ago on the recommendation of our builders - and they were fine then (a gloucestershire branch).

david29dpo

i had BIG problems with countrywide, i wound NEVER use them!

Madjock

i deal with solicitors all day at work.
DO NOT TOUCH COUNTRYWIDE WITH A BARGEPOLE.

david29dpo

same hear. my parter is a solicitor. they are the pits.

pooranddesperate

You are under no obligation to use the solicitor recommended by the estate agent and it sounds like he is trying to blackmail you into using countrywide. The estate agent is no doubt looking after his own interests and probably gets comission back from the solicitor for introducing you to them.

I echo others opinions and would advise you to go to a good local solicitor. I wouldn't just go for the cheapest you can find as with lots of things you will get what you pay for. If you can get a recommendation for a reasonable local solicitor from friends/ family that's what i'd go for.