Solicitors and conflict of interest - do we use someone else?

ValHaller

As seller, it may be to your advantage to have your buyer with the same firm - there are very few downsides for you, so in your position, I probably would not be bothered.

The buyer will generally be the one on the wrong end of conflicts of interest and I would not contemplate this as buyer.

[Deleted User]

Interesting - as a buyer every estate agent I have dealt with has put huge pressure on me to use their solicitor (obviously because they get commission). They all argue that it will make the whole process quicker and it will put me a better light from the seller's point of view.

As Valhaller said, I think it's the buyer who is more likely to get screwed over by such an arrangement, and so I'm keen to use my own independent solicitor. However, it seems as though EAs give priority to buyers who are using their solicitor, and so they may be less likely to fight my corner to get my offer accepted if I'm not using their solicitor.

brightonman123

might be worth asking if sols will split fees

megadishu

A good agent will explain why they recommend a solicitor. Some use online solicitors where they receive a commission to introduce clients.

I recommend a solicitor who does not close at lunch times nor at five o'clock, uses emails, is efficient, straightforward and for a fixed competitive price. A good solicitor makes all the difference. Ask if the agent is receiving commission directly. If I refer someone I am not paid for the referral but it makes a huge huge difference for an agent to know the solicitor. Like with any industries you will get good solicitors, builders, agents ...