Appointing a solicitor

Soot2006

We chose a competent, recommended local solicitor and appointed them at the same time as we started viewing places. We never did get an AIP - not for the house we're in and not for the one we're hopefully in the process of buying. Both times, EA were happy to do viewings and then we proceeded to full mortgage application right away (used a mortgage broker and gave permission for them to confirm to EA of house we offered on that they were confident we'd get a mortgage).

pinkteapot

I've never bothered getting solicitor quotes before I've had an offer accepted...

Be ready with the phone number of 2 or 3 solicitors. As soon as your offer's accepted, ring round and say you need a quote. They'll ask for the address and purchase price. Some may give you a quote over the phone and confirm by email, some may want to email the quote. Either way, you can get 2-3 quotes in a day and then let the EA know which solicitor you'll be using. Doesn't hold things up at all.

As AdrianC said, the EA will issue a 'memorandum of sale' which is just a piece of paper listing your name and address, vendor's name and address, the agreed price, and the details of each of your solicitors. So once an offer's been accepted the EA will ask for your solicitor's details to fill that in.

m0bov

AdrianC wrote: »

Well, hold on... You don't need the lender's details for the memorandum of sale, the very first bit of official paperwork once the offer's accepted.

But you do need the solicitor's.

Personally, I'd rather go with the solicitor I want, and regard the extra cost of panel legals as part of the cost of going for a particular lender.

But no EA will entertain a buyer with no MIP.

[Deleted User]

This is a bit short but might give you a starting point.https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mortgages/buying-a-home-timeline/

and https://www.your-move.co.uk/buy/guides/first-time-buyers-guide

Or google for answers to specific questions.

Soot2006

m0bov wrote: »

But no EA will entertain a buyer with no MIP.

I just spent 3 months viewing houses without a MIP. My offer was accepted without a MIP. I think it really does depend on the situation. I was open and upfront with the EAs (viewed with at least 4 different agencies) and when asked about finance I said I was confident we could afford it and that seemed to be enough. No one ever asked for one, or I would have gone to see a broker earlier.

ethank

Soot2006 wrote: »

I just spent 3 months viewing houses without a MIP. My offer was accepted without a MIP. I think it really does depend on the situation. I was open and upfront with the EAs (viewed with at least 4 different agencies) and when asked about finance I said I was confident we could afford it and that seemed to be enough. No one ever asked for one, or I would have gone to see a broker earlier.

Depends on how busy the market is. If there are lots of people looking who have a MIP already, most buyers would go with that.

silverchoice

Can anyone recommend a good conveyancer in Tameside or Manchester?

Argyle88

Seek quotes from a few solicitor firms as they all vary in price, especially what they offer, and we were warned to ask who will be handling the legal work for us, as too many solicitors count on you not asking so they can then employ people with no or poor legal training or qualification, yet charge you the same as an actual solicitor. We found very few solicitors when we were hunting but did end up with a solicitor tin the end though they did employ people who were not, but we did not experience that.

Also, make sure they are able to handle the legal work of your mortgage lender, or else you will pay two solicitor fees. Our lender changed right up to when we asked the solicitor to start so we could ask them before they started work.

jennhg88

m0bov wrote: »

But no EA will entertain a buyer with no MIP.

Depends on the EA and the area often too.