An in-between phase

Sallyforth

All I can chip in regarding conveyancing is that I sold my late Dad’s bungalow in 2018 and we were recommended a firm by the local estate agent dealing with the sale. Everything was online and to be honest I was pleasantly surprised with how well (and quickly) they dealt with everything. I’ve no idea what costs are now but we paid £480 which to me felt a bargain as buying our new build flat 30 years prior cost a lot more than that!

The firm I used is still in business but Yorkshire based so I guess no use?

PennysIntoPounds

That would be great, thanks @Baldybear, no harm in me sending an enquiry.
We've had such a mare with literally everyone involved in this build that any solicitors who, as @doingitanyway says, don't make you feel like they're not in your corner are very welcome to quote! 
No idea on the practicalities @Sallyforth but if they seemed professional and pleasant please do DM their name if you get a mo

KajiKita

We used an online solicitor as well when remortgaging here last year. Also very impressed. Will DM you. 

KK

peb

PIp, please dont use an online firm.  There are very good people in them but also not so good.  I do the technical (so the complex stuff) work for one - I've worked for three and it's so much luck of the draw as to who you are allocated to.  Do you want to PM me what the position is now and what you need as the end result?  I can the succinctly set out what you need to ask in the right language. 

And although I sympathise a self build mortgage is not something all conveyancers will take on - it's a lot more than acting as a conduit for the money.

Next year I'll have worked in legal for thirty years - the majority in conveyancing and I despair at how little most people working in the professional know.  

PennysIntoPounds

That's very kind @peb, I'll send a DM when I have a mo 

Baldybear

Have pmed you hope it works

PennysIntoPounds

Thanks @Baldybear

foxgloves

Hello @PennysIntoPounds,
It's sounding as though your build project may be a little nearer to getting off the ground than it has been, so I am just popping by to wish you all the very best with it. I have a very shiny lucky black cat by my side (albeit one who is a bit miffed that he has not managed to secure any extra food yet today) & he is also sending purrs & lots of luck. 
It sounds tremendously complicated - a lot more so than simply buying a ready-built property, but I know that London property prices are just insanely high, & we've chatted about that before. Even when we were both working full time in public sector professions, we wouldn't have been able to afford to buy a house in London & that's back when there were relative shortages in our profession & any job offer would have included both relocation expenses & a salary-weighting. I look forward to hearing that it's all beginning to get off the ground & moving in the right direction at last. If it doesn't, well it flipping well won't be for want of trying & we will all be here to listen if you need a massive moan (or indeed a series of them!). In the meantime, I'm thinking positive & so is Soot!
F x

PennysIntoPounds

Thank you @foxgloves and Soot. Can't say we're feeling at all positive, though certainly skinter!


Today's doings:

Awake early again, freaking out about Octopus and debt recovery agency and credit rating.
I really need more sleep in my life. And less Octopus.

Replied to a couple of solicitors

Usuals

Hour walk getting toiletries at cheaper prices

Got another debt recovery agency letter. Strongly worded email sent in response.

Completed DBS form for invigilator role. My gosh that was boring, and their terrible online form did not help

Dinner is leftover croquettes

Blackcats

I've got a lucky black cat too, so I'll add luck from him to the luck from the ever peckish Soot.  So much luck in one sentence!