FTB Which solicitors?

GalaxyStar

Hi all, just a question on which solicitors we should use. We're FTB and had an offer accepted on a property last Saturday, we're going in to the EA tomorrow to do all the checks etc. but they've just called obviously trying to get us to use their solicitors. The EA is Your Move and they have said the vendors are using their solicitors and it would be good to keep it all in house using their solicitors but separate panels. I can see the idea behind this, but I'm not sure if that's the best thing or not. I had been thinking we had to use the banks solicitors but have been told we're best to use someone local. I haven't dealt with any solicitors so I don't know if any are good round here. Which would be best? We have a AIP and the deposit all ready and we have refused repeatedly about the mortgage broker because we are happy with the mortgage we have.

AndyT678

Talk to friends and colleagues to get a recommendation.

Generally avoid the EA's sols. If they're acting for the vendors they can't act for you anyway; it's a clear conflict of interests.

leccyblue

It is completely up to you who you use - the estate agent and who the vendor are using have no bearing on this at all. You'll probably find that the agents solicitors are more expensive, and they'll be receiving a comission from them - hence why they are keen to recommend.

The best thing to do is ask around friends and family to see who they have used. Finding somewhere local to where you live or work is a very good idea, as there are lots of documents to produce and sign and if you can drop off / pop in for this it speeds things up and saves on postage. Any documents that need witnessing can then be done so by your solicitor (land registry forms etc) rather than you having to find someone.

Your bank will require details of your solicitor to ensure that they are happy to represent them too - as if not you'd have to pay for the bank to use their own solicitor.

GalaxyStar

AndyT678 wrote: »

Talk to friends and colleagues to get a recommendation.

Generally avoid the EA's sols. If they're acting for the vendors they can't act for you anyway; it's a clear conflict of interests.

Have only one recommendation from a friend, only person I know who's used a solicitor! She did say that it would be a separate panel of solicitors that the vendors are using, but both in house

pawsies

I rang up and got quotes from them. I went with the most helpful and friendly solicitor. Worked out well for me

AndyT678

GalaxyStar wrote: »

The EA ...have said ... it would be good to keep it all in house using their solicitors but separate panels.

It's certainly good for them because they'll get two kick backs.

What's the advantage for you though?

You could always try a thread along the lines of "does anybody know a good solicitor in xxxxxxxxx?"

GalaxyStar

AndyT678 wrote: »

It's certainly good for them because they'll get two kick backs.

What's the advantage for you though?

You could always try a thread along the lines of "does anybody know a good solicitor in xxxxxxxxx?"

Wasn't Entirely sure if it would be quicker for us also! I shall try a new thread now hopefully someone will have used one round here!

JimmyTheWig

I'd say use a "proper solicitor" rather than a "conveyencing factory". Both can do the job, but a solicitor is more likely to do it quickly.

I'd also suggest using a solicitor who is local to where you are buying.
There's not much to selling. As long as the buyers give you the money that's all that's really important. Buy buying brings up all sorts of questions. I think it helps to have a local solicitor who will have dealt with many properties in the area already and will know what to expect.

When we moved recently we used a local solicitor who we found via google. Both our vendor and our purchaser used the firms suggested by the estate agents. Our solicitor was head and shoulders better than the other two.

bigtel_2

Just done the same myself. Asked friends and family and on facebook but didn't get much back. Got two friends recommending the same place.

Called them and a few other locals for a quote.

I was advised it's better to go local in case you need to visit them and also stayed away from my lenders preferred group just so there's no conflict of interest.

Dazedandconfused

I used a friend but she lives nowhere near me and I had no issues with her not being local

egoode

I didn't know anyone in the area I was moving to so couldn't get any recommendations from my friends. In the end I contacted 4 different firms 2 local ones that came recommended from this site, the one the estate agent recommended and another local one I found just searching the web.

In the end I went with one of the firms that was recommended from a user on this site as they got back to me immediately with a quote which while not the cheapest was quite reasonable. So far in the process I've not been disappointed they have always responded to my emails and calls quickly. Even my estate agent recently told me I choose a good solicitor unlike the seller who's solicitor is extremely slow and likes to sit on things for ages before sending them through!

I immediately discounted the EA's recommendation as when they called with the quote he was clearly in a massive call center and I could barely hear what he was saying with all the other people talking around him. I just felt I wouldn't get the hand holding I really need with making this purchase. It's my first time buying and my family all live in Australia so I have to rely on the solicitor to help me understand how the process works.