First time buyer - guidance on solicitors

mcc86

Hello,

I'm a first time buyer and feeling slightly out of my depth on the solicitors front.

The mortgage broker (who was recommended by a family friend, and has seemingly been very good) has recommended a solicitor but forewarned us that they are not the cheapest, but there or there about.

I've got a couple of quotes to ensure we get value for money (I don't mind paying an extra 10% based on a recommendation), but it's quite difficult to compare like for like.

Is the quotation below roughly in line with what you would expect to pay for a property of £225k? And does this include everything that I will need? Any specific questions that you recommend I should be asking?

Thanks in advance!

- Legal costs £545 plus VAT;
- £50 plus VAT admin fee for completing inland revenue return;
- Mortgage admin fee £55 plus VAT
- £40 plus VAT for any bank transfers (generally just one to the seller’s solicitor).!
- Third party payments – searches (drainage, environmental and local) £164.40.
- Land registry fee to register you as the new owners on completion £135
- Stamp duty (lower rate) £2,050,
- Pre completion searches £7.

fromtheshires

When it comes to solicitors, never just look at cost and who is the cheapest. Always go with the best (local reputation etc) you can afford when spending hundreds of thousands of pounds and make sure they are a real solicitor you can visit if need be and not an online firm you can never get hold of. It makes the world of difference if time is of the essence or there are any queries / issues.

Some costs such as SDLT are fixed regardless so discount them in your comparisons. What you have listed for searches etc may only be an estimate as sometimes they are higher / lower but you won't know until the bill is settled at the end.

mcc86

Thanks for that.

Before I get back to them to confirm their appointment, is there anything outside of that list that you would expect to see in there?

hazyjo

They should be on your lender's panel. Can be got round, but it's just hassle.

Make sure it's a fixed price (obv there may be a bit of movement on that). You don't want to be billed for every call, letter, etc.

Email is good. Mine rarely uses his and prefers post. It's been a PITA. All previous solicitors I've emailed loads. I've barely been in touch with this one!

Get a local one. So much easier. I've been posting letters to him on my walk home from the station.

G_M

Many costs are fixed (eg the searches etc) as they are charged by a 3rd party. These may change but they'd be the same whoever you choose.

So as long the solicitor's own fees are fixed that looks reasonable.

I second the idea of someone local you can actually meet face to face if you have problems, don't understand something, or just for speed of hand delivering things.

Yes - make sure he's on your mortgage lender's 'approved panel'.

PrettyFlower90

One thing I can advise on is not to go with the cheapest. Been there, done that (as a recent FTB) and will regret it forever lol Definitely second trying to get someone local who's recommended or got good reviews.

Tom99

Is it FH or LH there is no mention of a freeholders info pack if its LH.

dpearson86

We didn't go for the cheapest, went for one which was recommended by the broker. They were great and had good reviews too.

My friend went for one we'd had a much nicer quote on and it's online only and she is having a nightmare with them.

In this case I wanted to go for recommendation rather than price and glad I did.