Local or remote solicitor when selling house ?

November2

I have power of attorney for my mother (who now lives with me) and currently selling her house, estate agent said using a solicitor based their end is easier than using one local to me as I live miles away.  However already having problems on day one with CREDA id check and solicitor has sent me a bunch of forms by email which they want posting back. Surely it makes more sense for me to use a local solicitor so I can deal with them them face to face in an office.  Any thoughts? does using a solicitor their end actually make the sale 'easier'?  

Flugelhorn

did they recommend the local solicitor?? if so avoid - they'll be getting commission

i sold under probate and used a solicitor local to me for a sale 120 miles away - much simpler for me and didn't affect the agent at all - all done by phone / email anyway 

mebu60

I'd use one local to you. Also means you can drop stuff in if required. 

propertyrental

EA has a relationship with 'their' local solicitor so a) there'll be a commission paid and b) the solicitor will be as concerned with maintaining his relationship with the EA (for future work) rather than you, the client, being top priority.

Using someone local to you means a) YOU choose who to use b) you can go in initially and evaluate them and c) you can hand deliver forms, do witnessed signatures at their office etc.

The only potential advantage of using a solicitor local to the property might be if it's a non-standard legal process where local knowledge might help. Very rare.

Have you actually signed this solicitors Terms of Business and have they actually started work? If not, thank them for their quote and tell them you have instructed someone local (to you).

FlorayG

Absolutely no reason at all. I've used a solicitor a couple of miles from me and one in a completely different part of the country (found online) both for purchases in my village, there was no difference in the service except that it was easier to present ID in person at the local one.

November2

Thank you for replies and have decided to go with local so I can go into an actual office. 
Thank you again for all your help

ss2020jd

November2 said:

Thank you for replies and have decided to go with local so I can go into an actual office. 
Thank you again for all your help

A bit late to answer since you have made your (sensible) decision but just wanted to say I chose local when selling my mum’s place and it was the right decision. 

I was able to nip in with required docs and to sign without any hassle. There was no issue for them not being local to the selling area. 

The buyers chose a remote further away solicitors and there was issues with paperwork not arriving and getting lost in the post. 

Herzlos

Most of the interaction between you and solicitor will be in person. Most of the interaction between your solicitor and estate agent or buyer will be email or post.

So I'd use a solicitor near you.

Estate agent shouldn't have much involvement once your onto solicitors anyway.

Albermarle

Herzlos said:

Most of the interaction between you and solicitor will be in person. Most of the interaction between your solicitor and estate agent or buyer will be email or post.

So I'd use a solicitor near you.

Estate agent shouldn't have much involvement once your onto solicitors anyway.

I understood that EA’s often still get involved farther down the line, pushing the chain along, pushing for delayed info from solicitors etc 

Jemma01

My solicitor just told me that hsbc want my identity verified with my actual identity sources, so they want me to go to their office (10mins walk away). Maybe using the post office could be an option here if they are remote, but it is a hassle

Herzlos

Albermarle said:

Herzlos said:

Most of the interaction between you and solicitor will be in person. Most of the interaction between your solicitor and estate agent or buyer will be email or post.

So I'd use a solicitor near you.

Estate agent shouldn't have much involvement once your onto solicitors anyway.

I understood that EA’s often still get involved farther down the line, pushing the chain along, pushing for delayed info from solicitors etc 

You can certainly use them for that, and ours was great for relaying messages between the links in the chain. But in terms of paperwork they hand it over to a solicitor and then wait to get paid, so there's no need to choose a solicitor that's near or convenient for them.