Do I really need a solicitor/conveyancer if i'm just selling?

cfranklin12

I've just accepted an offer on my house and I wont be buying another one at the same time. Getting off the ladder for a while!

Looking at the next step, instructing someone to act on my behalf, has got me thinking, do I really need to pay someone else or can I do this myself? Presumably most of the work of a conveyancing solicitor is done on the buyers side i.e. land registry checks, stamp duty etc etc.
Can anyone advise what the sellers solicitor actually has to do and if a fairly competent young professional such as I am would be able to handle these things myself?

Thanks!

Yorkie1

Do you have a mortgage to redeem?

G_M

I have several times done my own conveyancing over the years, and it is perfectly legal and perfectly possible.

There are a number of books that will guide you step by step through the process.

Selling is less risky than buying. The only thing to be sure about is receipt of the cash! Whereas with buying, nasty things could arise 3, 6, 24 months later if you make a mistake!

Freehold is easier than leasehold.

Obviously you need to be reasonably literate and educated, have time to devote, and be able to pay attention to detail.

Two key issues:

1) you may experience reluctance by the solicitor for the other side - but persevere - you are doing nothing wrong

2) Do you have a mortgage/ This can be a major issue. Obviously the buyer will not agree to buy unless the mortgage is paid off. Where two solicitors are involved, the sellers's solicitor gives a 'solicitor's undertaking' to the buyers solicitor that he will use the proceeds of the sale to pay off the mortgage before handing the remaining cash to his client. This is an established process between solicitors.

However, if you are acting for yourself, the buyer's solicitor will not accept such an undertaking from you, so you will have to pay off the mortgage before Completion (ie before you receive the cash). This is often impossible, so unless you have considerable savings, or there IS no mortgage, it may be a show-stopper.

SailorSam

I've done my own conveyancing a couple of times, both buying and selling just using books from my local library. Selling is much easier the buyer does all the work. As a seller the only rule you need to remember is ..... 'Don't move out until you have the money in your hand'