Updates from solicitor

Redwino222

I feel very much in dark about the conveyancing process in my house move.

my estate agent has been great with weekly calls and is actively pushing my buyer - whose mortgage is taking forever.

but I can’t seem to get updates from my solicitor.  I haven’t heard anything in three weeks and emails are not being responded to.

I just want to know if the enquiries on my purchase have been resolved (I don’t even know what they are!) and if any enquiries have been received from my buyers.

how often do you get updates on your conyenancing?  Should I expect more communication or am I micro managing this?

I would add this an expensive locla
solicitor

Sunsaru

A little bit of column A and a bit of Column B.

My solicitor never responded to any of my emails. I either had to go through my broker (who was linked to the solicitors) or my EA to get answers. In the 5 or so months that it took me to buy (completed in March) I only got my solicitors direct number 3 or 4 weeks before completion.

In the end (unless it was world endingly urgent) I just sat tight. They will contact you if they need something.

PS I'm guessing this is an online conveyancer .

kasqueak

I would normally expect an update once a week. But there are long periods in the Conveyancing process where nothing happens for weeks. But a simple “nothing new to report this week” email would at least suffice. 

How many weeks are you into the process?
I found after an initial flurry of activity nothing much happened for a good 6 weeks in the middle whilst enquiries being looked into, waiting for things to move within the chain etc. Average house purchase takes 12-14 weeks to go through. 

Redwino222

I am nine weeks into the process on my purchase and six weeks into my sale.

it’s not an online conveyancer, it’s a local family business.  It’s very expensive! 

Thrugelmir

Redwino222 said:

my estate agent has been great with weekly calls and is actively pushing my buyer - whose mortgage is taking forever.

Hardly surprising that your solicitor has little to tell you. 6 weeks in and no mortgage offer for your buyer. This would be concerning me. As a buyer my solicitor wouldn't be doing anything until I had an offer. 

Redwino222

The survey only happened on Monday - they are with nationwide which seems to be very slow.  Hopefully that is all it is - but yes I am starting to get worried 

Redwino222

However I would at least expect to be told about my purchase - in terms of stage with enquiries etc.  

Thrugelmir

Redwino222 said:

However I would at least expect to be told about my purchase - in terms of stage with enquiries etc.  

When did you receive your mortgage offer? The searches normally aren't submitted until the solicitor receives this. When the searches are returned. The enquiries are sent to the other party via their solicitor. 

Any other parties above your purchase in the chain? As this will add another dimension. 

Redwino222

My mortgage offer was received eight weeks ago.  Only three in the chain.  The person I am buying from is moving in with relatives (indeed he already has).  My buyers are first time buyers. 

teachfast

Do you mean your solicitor didn't describe the process, and set your expectations on communication when you first instructed them? Sounds like you got unlucky and got one of the 95% who don't understand they are working with clients, who are people, and think they are simply doing tasks and don't need to communicate effectively and professionally.

Irishpearce26

I used an online conveyancer (both sale & purchase) who have a portal that is updated daily, they responded to emails within 24 hours which was logged, I could even see when they emailed the lender or other solicitor.  All documents were uploaded to the portal which really sped things up. I probably paid a little bit more than an independent firm but the service was A+.