What is price sweet spot for a FTB lawyer? Is proximity vital?

mubeye

I'm buying a small house in cash for 180k in the south Bristol area. No chain.

Does anyone have any personal recommendations?

I'm looking for a quick sale. What kind of price point should I be watching out for from a mid to higher end laywer? Not looking for super fancy, but don't want to cut corners either.

Also, is proximity to the property in any way relevant nowdays?

elverson

Have you asked friends or family for recommendations?

mubeye

If I had those kinds of friends I wouldn't be asking on here

LEJC

Where the solicitor is located is not really a problem but from a practical point of view we chose one that was easy to get to for signing the contracts etc.

What area do you class as south Bristol....and where are you located at present?

theartfullodger

£1,258:71. Plus VaT if relevant.

mubeye

So is there anyway of checking out how good a solicitor is? Online reviews or anything like that? An online register of complaints? Seems like really shooting in the dark.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Malcolm Buck of Fussell Wright in Brislington - instructed him a few years ago and he was excellent.

hanb

Another one asking about the 'south Bristol'.. only because I'm amazed you've found a house for 180k!!

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

hanb wrote: »

Another one asking about the 'south Bristol'.. only because I'm amazed you've found a house for 180k!!

Knowle West

Malmo

For solicitors, try the search below, which is through the Law Society's official database.

Law Society Search

Contact several of the firms listed, ideally with 2 or more senior partners, with your requirements. I sent an email to each requesting a quotation and heard back quickly. You can use the template below, which may be useful if contacting by email / webform.

Also, check that each firm's conveyancing practice is not a hotbed of formal complaints by reviewing the Legal Ombudsman's decision data - see this link, filter on "Residential Conveyancing" and sort by OMBUDSMAN REMEDY REQUIRED in descending order.

Then read this article to understand what "good" looks like for conveyancing quotations and what to expect from a good quotation.

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Hello,

Can you please provide detailed quotations for I]both sale & purchase[/I, split out by:
a) your basic conveyancing / legal fee (including VAT)
b) all itemised disbursements (please specify which searches are included) & other charges (including VAT where applicable & estimated SDLT)

We also have some questions to which we'd like responses to help us evaluate our options.

1) On what basis is your basic conveyancing fee for processing the transaction(s) payable? (fixed-fee OR scaled to the sale & purchase prices OR per hour)
2) Do you operate a "no move, no fee" policy?
3) What costs (if any) are payable upfront for both sale & purchase and at what point in the process? For example, what costs (if any) should I expect to pay prior to preparation of draft contracts and would there be any costs simply to open a file?
4) For our purchase, are you able to specify which lender's panels you are currently approved on (or not approved on, if that list is easier or shorter to answer)?
5) Are you available by email & direct dial number?
6) In the event that the solicitor representing our case is absent for any reason, would you handover to another representative at the firm?

Our Details
Number of Applicants: [X]

Purchase Postcode or Local Authority: [...]
Purchase Amount: [£...]
Purchase Tenure: [...]

Sale Postcode or Local Authority: [...]
Sale Amount: [£...]
Sale Tenure: [...]

I look forward to your response.
Many thanks,

[Your Name]

Guest101

As it's cash, I'd go for a local solicitors firm who are approachable and established