Using solicitors recommended by estate agents?

BLUEBIE

I am in the process of selling my house having split with my husband. I have never bought or sold a house entirely on my own and with the stresses of the divorce I ma trying to do it as easily and stress free as possible.

Therefore I am using a broker from a local estate agents just to save me the hassle of that side of things. I have quite poor credit history so figured she would know who would lend to me better than I would. I am happy with that side of things.

My house is markted with a different estate agent. No I have been told by my estate agent to get a solicitor lined up. What are the down sides on using the ones my estate agent has recommened, and what should I ask? I have never been totally on my own like this before and am struggling a bit!

Thanks

Bee

BitterAndTwisted

Find you own conveyancing solicitor, based on a personal recommendation if possible. The agent is getting quite enough commission on the sale from you and here's no reason to give them any more from the solicitor. I can see what's in it for them but not for you.

BLUEBIE

I don't have anyone to recommend one, so is there anything I should be asking?

wriggly

How to find a decent non-affiliated conveyancing solicitor:

Find some solicitors who specialise in conveyancing, preferably recommendations from friends, or look at the affiliated solicitors for the posh estate agents (that you're not using), they're usually good.

Phone them and ask for a quote for conveyancing. Tell them what you're selling and at what price, and what you're buying and at what price (approximately). Ask them to email you a quote. [EDIT - This is specifically to weed out the old-fashioned solicitors who insist on doing everything by post, and hence taking days or weeks longer]

If the receptionist is pleasant, and you receive a well-formatted and clear quote within a few hours, that's usually a good sign.

Compare the quotes. Where they differ (different searches, widely different charges for the same service), discover what needs to be included and what doesn't (post back here if unsure).

Contact the solicitors again to ask about including/excluding searches, as desired. Again, the manner of the response will indicate how easy they will be to deal with later if there are problems.

Once you've decided, confirm with the solicitor that you wish to use their services (you may need to pay a deposit, depending on where you are in the selling/buying stage), and then inform the estate agent.

Remember, the solicitor is meant to be on your side. You want to be sure they have no conflicts of interest, and that you are comfortable dealing with them.

CorsetHeaven

My parents have just completed the sale of their house and used solicitors recommended by the estate agent. I figured that the agent would be getting some sort of commission or something so told them to shop around.

They did and the ones recommended where far cheaper than others because their costs included all disbursements and the others didn't, and their service was very good. The agent told my parents that it was in the solicitors interest to look after their clients or they wouldn't get any more referrals from them. Call around for prices but don't dismiss the recommended one without getting the details.

HellsGranny

The problem of using an Estate Agent's preferred solicitor, (apart from the commision aspect) is that his loyalsties will be split should there be a difficulty.

You are much better getting your own solicitor.

Also, the estate Agants' solicitors are usually part of a big specialist company and you will not get personal service.

Cheers, HG

googler

HellsGranny wrote: »

The problem of using an Estate Agent's preferred solicitor, (apart from the commision aspect) is that his loyalsties will be split should there be a difficulty.

Why?

The EA is being paid to sell the house, the solicitor to execute the sale. They're both on the same side.

gravitytolls

We were told by our bank manager to get quotes and choose the cheapest, as they all do the same job.

motherofstudents

I have to say that we used the solicitor recommended by EA and they were so good we used them again the next time we moved and then my son used them. I figured that as above, it is in their interests not to mess things up or the estate agent would move elsewhere. That's just my personal experience anyway.

googler

gravitytolls wrote: »

We were told by our bank manager to get quotes and choose the cheapest, as they all do the same job.

A basic Skoda has four wheels, seats, a steering wheel and gets you from A to B.

A Rolls-Royce also has four wheels, seats, a steering wheel and also gets you from A to B.

Are they the same? Do they get you from A to B in exactly the same way?

DVardysShadow

For selling only, I would not entirely rule out going with the Agent's pet solicitor.

But never for buying and I would not use the in house Mortgage Broker of the Seller's agent.