Using the estate agents recommended solicitor?

goodegg2020

Hello. I'm a FTB and just applying for my mortgage - I know I know loads of people are saying not to buy in the current climate but I am. Just wondering if anyone has any advice regarding using the solicitor recommended by the estate agent? I've had some other quotes through mortgage advisors etc and they were actually a higher cost. Would going with the one recommended by the estate agent be a bad thing? Looked on the forum but could only find info from 2012. Thanks in advance!

Thrugelmir

Is the solicitor on your lenders panel? 

goodegg2020

Thrugelmir said:

Is the solicitor on your lenders panel? 

By this do you mean is it through the estate agent working for the seller then yes? 

SameOldRoundabout

Some lenders will only deal with certain solicitors. I’ve never found it a problem. 

Do some research for reviews. They may be good they may not. My EA recommended solicitors actually had plenty of personal recommendations by people I know but we chose another one who had a quicker reputation. If we had gone with them we’d have had our £200 pro photo cost refunded but annoyingly I didn’t realise that until after I’d instructed. 

greatcrested

Each mortage lender has a panel of solicitors they allow to act for them so far as the mortgage is concerned. Since in 99% of cases, buyers and their mortgage lenders use the same solicitor (to avoid duplication of work), the solicitor you choose should be on the lender's panel. Just ask the solicitor to confirm.

If you are independantly happy with that solicitor, fine - but make that assessment/decision yourself, not rely on the estate agent's referral, for which he may well earn commission.....

Personally I prefer to use a firm that's local so I can go in and chat if I have issues or questions.. Many people think this is not necessary and are happy to use online.

Thrugelmir

goodegg2020 said:

Thrugelmir said:

Is the solicitor on your lenders panel? 

By this do you mean is it through the estate agent working for the seller then yes? 

Mortgage lender you are applying to. . 

SameOldRoundabout

greatcrested said:

Personally I prefer to use a firm that's local so I can go in and chat if I have issues or questions.. Many people think this is not necessary and are happy to use online.

For a FTB I’d definitely recommend using local. It’s so worth having someone you can meet face to face if needs be. 

hazyjo

Many will be closing/closed and wfh where possible. I'd always say go local, but times are different right now and it may even be worth considering other options.

When you say 'recommended', if it's a local one they're recommending cos they get the job done, great. If it's an in-house solicitor (often overpriced), I'd not touch with a bargepole.

If associated/linked, remember the EAs are not yours but your buyer's. I would want to employ a solicitor not in any way associated with my buyer's EAs. They need to look out for your best interests.