Help with solicitors

m0bov

This is the biggest purchase of your life, so don't let someone bully you into cutting corners. Your sol should be working and looking out for you. Sol will check for things like service chargers and ground rent that might double, nearby developments or other issues like flooding that could be picked up by searches.

Let the sol do their job, don't cut corners and walk away if needed.

G_M

hannahvictoria wrote: »

I sent the filled in forms over and £150 payment to the solicitors a couple of weeks ago, giving them authority to proceed with the conveyancing searches. After a week of not hearing anything, I chased them, and was told the searches were due back on the 14th July, even though I explained on the paperwork and my original email that we were due to exchange contracts on 12th July.

You cannot dictate the Exchange date. You may want to Exchange on the 12th. The sellers may also want to Exchange on the 12th.


But if the various steps in the process have not been completed, you can't! You can chivvy things along as best you can, but in the end it takes as long as it takes.

AdrianC

hannahvictoria wrote: »

I still have no idea of what the solicitors actually do?

They are the ONLY people on your side in the whole buying process.

They are going through everything received from the vendors, and from the searches, and making sure it all makes sense, that you're buying what you think you're buying, and that there's no hidden gotchas waiting for you.

They handle all the legals and all the formalities for you. They ensure the right money gets paid to the right people at the right time.

As for when you are due to exchange - there is only one right answer, and that is "When you're ready". Do NOT be hassled into exchanging before then. When you exchange, you are legally bound to buy the property, and all the paperwork is set in stone. If something comes up later, it's too late.

hannahvictoria

AdrianC wrote: »

They are the ONLY people on your side in the whole buying process.

They are going through everything received from the vendors, and from the searches, and making sure it all makes sense, that you're buying what you think you're buying, and that there's no hidden gotchas waiting for you.

They handle all the legals and all the formalities for you. They ensure the right money gets paid to the right people at the right time.

As for when you are due to exchange - there is only one right answer, and that is "When you're ready". Do NOT be hassled into exchanging before then. When you exchange, you are legally bound to buy the property, and all the paperwork is set in stone. If something comes up later, it's too late.

This was mega helpful thank you! I literally had no idea what they did, other than the searches as I can't get hold of them to find out. Thank you for this!