Conveyancers/solicitors

wantonnoodle

Hi,

We're FTB so I apologise if this seems like a remedial question.

We're still looking for the property we like, having had a meeting with a mortgage broker and working out what we can afford.

However, on top of that, I am trying to work out who I may want to instruct for the conveyancing. Friends I've asked have only used EAs own legal guys (which I'm not comfortable with), so can't really help. Our mortgage broker covers a vast area, he's not from our local area, and has said that he has a solicitor who he can recommend, but is happy for us to find our own when we get there. I'm not convinced about the broker's solicitor for the same reason as the EA's legal team, plus I would prefer local for ease of access etc.

I've drawn up a list of potential solicitors/conveyancers in the area, but when looking to ask for quotes, most of the forms on their websites etc ask about the value of a property etc. Since we don't have a property now and don't want to rush this once we've found a property, what sort of information/what questions should I ask at this point to get information to be able to make an educated decision when the time comes?

Thanks for your help

DRFC1879

What area do you live in? Do you have any friends who've moved recently? I'm sure they would be able to give you a quick review of the solicitors they used.

wantonnoodle

We're in the Altrincham area. As I said in my post, our friends who have moved recently have used the legal team who worked for the Estate Agent, which I am not prepared to consider. They did this mainly because they saw it as the cheap and convenient option.

marksoton

wantonnoodle wrote: »

As I said in my post, our friends who have moved recently have used the legal team who worked for the Estate Agent, which I am not prepared to consider. They did this mainly because they saw it as the cheap and convenient option.

:T

At last!

Spend a morning visiting a few local firms and gauge how you're treated/by whom and what is/isn't included in their quotes.

And then personally i'd go on gut feeling. That's how i found my broker and he was faultless.

lincroft1710

What's your max budget for a property? Use this figure when asking for quotes

wantonnoodle

marksoton wrote: »

:T

At last!

Now, now - no need for the sarcasm. If you'd read my post properly, you would have seen that I didn't want to consider Estate agent conveyancers. I thought that the reason for that would be common sense, as they're bound to be on some sort of commission from the agent.

wantonnoodle wrote: »

Friends I've asked have only used EAs own legal guys (which I'm not comfortable with), so can't really help.

@lincroft1710 - As for max budget, we're looking for anything up to £250k, but don't want to spend that much if I can help it. But looking at the market in the area we are looking, we may not have much choice. :eek:

marksoton

wantonnoodle wrote: »

Now, now - no need for the sarcasm. If you'd read my post properly, you would have seen that I didn't want to consider Estate agent conveyancers. I thought that the reason for that would be common sense, as they're bound to be on some sort of commission from the agent.

No sarcasm whatsoever. Hence the applause because you weren't duped like so many who post on here.

wantonnoodle

marksoton wrote: »

No sarcasm whatsoever. Hence the applause because you weren't duped like so many who post on here.

Sorry Mark, my bad. I thought you were being sarcastic about an apparent lack of justification as to why I didn't want use EA solicitors.

marksoton

wantonnoodle wrote: »

Sorry Mark, my bad. I thought you were being sarcastic about an apparent lack of justification as to why I didn't want use EA solicitors.

Trust me, nothing could be further from the truth...

dc197

When I saw the "EAs own legal guys" I expected to see a reply in which MarkSoton had used his favourite emoticon: :wall:
Glad to see it wasn't necessary.