FTB: When and how to choose a solicitor

Sicily1991

Hello,

As the title states, I'm looking for some advice regarding when and how to choose a solicitor to deal with my first house purchase. I'm at viewing stages currently but I've been told if I put an offer in, I will also be expected to stated the solicitor's details. I have not yet approached any, but I have been recommended a firm by a family member so was thinking I'd probably go with them.

Should I be approaching them at this early stage? And how can I ask for quotes? I have a budget for the purchase obviously...but I don't know what the final price purchase will be until an offer is accepted!

Please someone tell me when and how to approach them.
Thanks
S

Exodi

You can ask solicitors for fee's whenever you want; if you know the 'type' of house you're buying (freehold/leasehold, rough price, etc), they should be able to give you a 'rough' quote (they will only give you a rough quote because there's things you may require that wouldn't be included on a standard quotation - e.g. as you're a first time buyer and may have a help to buy ISA - Solicitors typically charge to redeem these).

I would actually implore you to start getting some quotes back now, you don't need to instruct them. You could probably go on their website and find a quote form under conveyancing. I'd budget £2,000 for all the conveyancing costs - this is high so doesn't leave you stretched.

You don't need to have a solicitor in place when you put an offer in, though you should have an idea of who you intend to use as the estate agent will be keen to send the sales memorandum and get the ball rolling.

SmashedAvacado

You don;t need to have a solicitor in place, but its much more impressive and will improve you as a buyer, if the seller knows you are on the ball and have a solicitor instructed who has confirmed your ID etc and is in funds to do searches. So choose one now, and base the quotes on your likely property - ie its a flat and its 100k.

ask them what information they need from you - this will be ID documents etc and get those ready

Ask how much money they want "on account" for searches etc, and make sure you are ready to send that to them.

lots of people dont like FTB's because they dont know the process / understand that making an offer and getting it accepted is not the end of the matter - the bank and legal process needs to crack on. If you can show you know this, and are ready, this will help you stand out as against other buyers

Catkei

I asked around and got some recommendations. A few mentioned the same solicitor, but sent an email to all of them (just 3). The message/email went something like "we are first time buyers looking to buy a property worth £xxx and will be using deposits from Help to buy ISAs. We are looking at freehold properties.."

Some solicitors will have an enquiry form on their website you just fill in. I didn't go with the cheapest in the end, I went with the one that came back to me first that also happened to be the one that got the most recommendations.
I didn't instruct them until we'd had an offer accepted, but because we'd done the legwork above we were ready to do so on the same day. We got sent a pack to complete and they request proof of ID and address.

Thrugelmir

Have you choosen a mortgage lender yet?

The solicitors you select will need to be on their list of approved conveyancers.

Ask the lender for their list. Suggest you opt for local firms. Ring them up and they'll provide quotes. Probably won't vary much.

If you've recent recommendation always helps. Better if there's a team rather than a single contact. As helps to keep matters moving along.

Johnhowell

Unless you receive a good recommendation as stated above, my suggestion to the OP is to get several quotes from solicitors that are either close to your home or your work place - so you can walk in as required. Base the quotation on a property price that is at your higher end - therefore you will know the end price should be less.
Keep good track of the costs they quote, items are rated differently for VAT.


Also, be aware that 10% of the purchase price will have to be provided to your solicitor before the Exchange of Contracts. So be prepared for this.
Good luck,
J

diggingdude

Could you not have asked various questions in 1 thread? Often makes things cleaner