Instructing developer's recommended conveyancers

vfv

We have just reserved a flat off-plan and now have 21 days to exchange contracts with the developer. We were given a list of 'recommended' solicitors by the developer that work out a bit cheaper than quotes we've seen online, however the saving is not that important to us-the main appeal is that because they have already completed transactions in the development they are guaranteed to turn around the paperwork in the 21 days.

Any ideas about this? Am I too naive to think that the independence compromise of someone recommended by the seller shouldn't be an issue here?

I've read loads in the forum re:solicitors, the problem is that i don't have any friend recommendations and I am slightly nervous of ending up with a non responsive solicitor who will fail to meet the developer's deadline. I had a look at solicitor reviews in sites such as reallymoving.com but many of the positive reviews look blatantly fake and invariably all firms have some shocking reviews in their review profile (those look authentic too!)

Any advice or recommendations are greatly appreciated!

G_M

Choose your own, totally independant, solicitor.

ian103

G_M' s post is spot on

AnnieO1234

Go independent - please! We were FTB and foolishly went with the 'recommended' conveyancer - like two of our neighbours and we all have burned fingers x

ging84

I am very pleased with the service i am getting from mine
took me a little while to convince him my sale wasn't a standard box ticking sale and there were some actual issues that need working out, but since then he has been very good

mrginge

Hmm. Off-plan... 21 days to exchange... Recommended conveyancer....

They are mugging you off. Get your own solicitor who will put your interests first rather than the developer.

G_M

ging84 wrote: »

I am very pleased with the service i am getting from mine
took me a little while to convince him my sale wasn't a standard box ticking sale and there were some actual issues that need working out, but since then he has been very good

No one is saying that every buyer who uses a linked or recommended conveyancer has a problem.

I'm pleased your service is good (though wonder why you had to "take timet to convince him...."

The point is, as the posts above mostly agree, where there IS an issue, you want a conveyancer with no conflict of interest (like he gets regular business from the developer so does not want to p*ss the developer off).

Unless you get an entirely independant conveyancer,you might as well not have one at all...

Now, as regular readers here will know, I am a great advocate of DIY conveyancing in the right circumstances. eg someone confidant in theirown skills/abilities buying a mortgage-free property with no complex issues etc etc

But my guess is youdonot fall within this catagory.

And if I'm wrong, then again, don't use the 'recomended solicitor' - do it yourself!