We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Buying first home, cash.

My son is embarking on buying his first home, paying cash.

His offer has been accepted, he needs to sort out a solicitor, first, I take it. A member of the family is a very good builder, who has offered to take a good look at the property. The person in the property, died and had lived there a while, it is just by our house. The property was built by a good builder in 1960's, the same builder as the one who built our house, so we know there are no real big problems.

Does anyone know what sort of fees a solicitor is likely to charge?
Keep on trucking!

Comments

  • I bought my house last June, it was a similar situation (first time cash buyer, 1960s semi-detached). The solicitor charged about £700 as I recall, plus stamp duty, plus £3 land registry check.

    Other searches would have been an extra £250, but I didn't get any non-essential ones done as my aunt recently moved to the same road and her searches were more or less identical. As a cash buyer your son will have the option of which ones he wants to carry out (mortgage buyers don't get that luxury).
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Cacran wrote: »
    My son is embarking on buying his first home, paying cash.

    His offer has been accepted, he needs to sort out a solicitor, first, I take it.
    Not necessarily. He could do the conveyancing himself. How smart is he?

    A member of the family is a very good builder, who has offered to take a good look at the property. The person in the property, died and had lived there a while, it is just by our house. The property was built by a good builder in 1960's, the same builder as the one who built our house, so we know there are no real big problems.
    So forget the survey. But remember, with a survey, there is someone to sue (in theory) if something is missed. Not possible with a family-builder.

    Does anyone know what sort of fees a solicitor is likely to charge?
    £450 - £800 plus disbursements.

    Shop around.

    Read this.
  • rosie383
    rosie383 Posts: 4,981 Forumite
    Definitely read the link from G_M. Valuable info. Our fees are £450 plus Vat plus disbursements.
    Father Ted: Now concentrate this time, Dougal. These
    (he points to some plastic cows on the table) are very small; those (pointing at some cows out of the window) are far away...
    :D:D:D
  • Cacran
    Cacran Posts: 536 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker I've been Money Tipped!
    rosie383 wrote: »
    Definitely read the link from G_M. Valuable info. Our fees are £450 plus Vat plus disbursements.

    I can't find the link. How do I do it?:o
    Keep on trucking!
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Cacran wrote: »
    I can't find the link. How do I do it?:o
    Click on the words "Read this. "
  • Cacran
    Cacran Posts: 536 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker I've been Money Tipped!
    G_M wrote: »
    Click on the words "Read this. "

    Got it, thank you.
    Keep on trucking!
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.5K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.7K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 245.5K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 601.4K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.6K Life & Family
  • 259.4K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.