Views on using non-local conveyancing solicitor to buy

Mr_Marwood

Hi

I'm new to this game and looking to get the ducks in-line early.  

What sort of issues might crop-up using a solicitor not local to where I live or where the property is based? 

In the absence of a word-of-mouth recommendation near where I live in London, the local google reviews read with a suspicious genericism (punctuated by the occasional bad review).

Equally, I'm not keen with the online route, but the best option (on paper) appears to be a recommended solicitor who lives in my home town which would be 100s of miles away from the property. There's no option to drop documents off in person that way though there may be other problems too?

Appreciate there might be limited choice depending on which bank I go with for the mortgage if they have an approved list, but would nonetheless appreciate any views on this. 


 

user1977

Given the glacial speed of most transactions, not being able to drop off documents is hardly a big deal (and even if you're local, that might involve hassle in trying to visit the office during opening hours - not everybody relishes taking time off to visit their solicitors).

The only other factor I suppose (if all other things are equal) is that a local solicitor will have local knowledge (about typical title quirks, types of construction, practices of the local council etc). 

Richiem1987

I do mine via company in Richmond and buying in Newcastle. Most documents arrive by post/email etc, so you wouldn't even walk into their office. 

andyf1980

I don’t think it makes much difference if they are local or not. I suppose a good local conveyancer should know the local area and market but whether they do or not is another thing altogether. 

Definitely stay away from online conveyancers. Our experience has not been positive. 

Rambosmum

I've always used local due to those being the ones recommended to me, but I've never actually stepped foot in one of their offices, so would have been happy to use one far away if it had come recommended. 

K_S

@mr_marwood From my experience, it doesn't make any difference at all. Just try and get a recommendation from someone you know who has used a solicitor recently and found them to be good.

another_casualty

Fwiw, I had the same conveyancer for most of my moves. London based. Not the cheapest but great results everytime. 

When I relocated to Dorset a few years ago, I phoned up a few firms and I didn't feel reassured as such . This meant I contacted him again, and although still dearer than dorset prices he did give me a little discount . 

If I was to use somebody in the future , I'd ask on the next door website and take it from there . 

As mentioned , it's rare these days to go into the office but having a printer and sending ID via Royal Mail Special Delivery was handy . 

MobileSaver

K_S said:

@mr_marwood From my experience, it doesn't make any difference at all. Just try and get a recommendation from someone you know who has used a solicitor recently and found them to be good.

I completely agree. I used a solicitor who was a regular poster on these very forums until he retired. He was based in Hampshire but handled several transactions for me both in the London area and here in Wales; I never visited their offices and everything was done via email.

Mark_Michalowski

As others have said, your primary concern should be (where possible) picking a good conveyancer - someone recommended by a friend or work colleague or family member.

Don't just go by online reviews, although they can be useful in making you feel comfortable once you've made your choice.

But having someone local with a door you can bang on when everything grinds to a shuddering halt just a few weeks before you're due to exchange/complete can be a sanity-saver. And there will be moments like that, trust me....

Good luck!

Mxx

lr1277

I suppose one advantage of going local is if the transaction is going wrong or taking too long, you can camp in their office till they take appropriate action. However that is not necessary if they are a good solicitor.

Oops! Sorry I just realised I repeated Mark_Michalowski’s point. Sorry.

Ramouth

There are local idiosyncrasies that it may be useful to use a local solicitor for.  E.g. buying in Cornwall it is useful to have a solicitor who is familiar with Mundic, Radon and mineral rights.