Buying - should my solicitor be ordering searches before they get draft contract?

Treehouseken

Hi all, 

In first update from my conveyancer they've said they are waiting for draft contract papers from the seller's solicitor before they can raise enquiries and order searches.

Should they not be getting these underway in the meantime?  

Many thanks!

 

GavCB

Generally the sellers solicitors will supply a plan (for the searches) at the same time that they issue the contract. Enquires can be raised at different stages throughout the process. 

gm0

No.  Because they want the seller to identify the formal title plan and related matters in the supplied material from the counterparty lawyer - that will form part of the potential contract.  They don't kick things off on informally communicated hearsay - from agents, or you or anyone else - which won't form part of the contract.

Not starting eliminates a whole range of potential mischiefs about what titles are or are not included in the contract vs expectations outside the contract.  And is process simple for the conveyancer.  Yes they could. But they often don't.

You can expect a number of other steps where everything waits until it is all there. Is sent in a batch at once.  Waits for the longest to return before reviewing anything.  Waits.  Is reviewed.  Then another loop of discussion with you / and or clarification queries of content/legal/indemnity options with other party etc.   

Conveyancers work to their own convenience of process and lowest effort level for fee working across many files.  Not lowest latency of transaction for you. Not their priority at all.  Expect that and you won't be more than averagely disappointed.