Online conveyancing

Yorkie1

The operating model of online conveyancing factories is generally pile 'em high, sell 'em cheap. They will rely predominantly on paralegal assistants to do the straightforward work. They are often said to be fairly slow, owing to high caseloads.

But the issues really can arise if and when you encounter anything tricky. And you can't necessarily predict in which transactions they will arise.

So, as somone else indicated, you pays your money, you takes your choice.

I wouldn't use one.

Gonk1967

Thanks for all the opinions. I'm going to use the estate agent's conveyancing services, they've already dealt with a lot of the flats in the complex so they should be familiar with the freeholder.

Tiglet2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82031171#Comment_82031171

Not always a good idea. They have a financial interest in keeping the Estate Agent happy rather than acting in your best interests.

Tabieth

I wouldn’t use the EAs recommendation as there’s a potential conflict of interest.

Gonk1967

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82031573#Comment_82031573

How? the estate agent wants to sell the flat, I want to sell the flat!

user1977

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82031887#Comment_82031887

Ah, you didn't say whether you were buying or selling. If selling then perhaps less of an issue, but the solicitors may still be tempted to smooth things over in a way which suits the EA more (and at your expense) rather than in the way they would recommend if they didn't have a relationship with the agent.

Tabieth

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82031887#Comment_82031887

I assumed that you were buying.

WindfallWendy

I sold my Nan's house and used an online conveyor. Mildly frustrating due to limited contact, but given the huge difference in price, totally worth it.

I get so annoyed by having to appoint conveyancers because they only ever go through the motions and it feels like something anyone should be able to do. So I was happy to only have to pay £300 or whatever it was.

I used Swift Lawyers, in case it's useful to know.

subjecttocontract

My advice is DONT pick a conveyance solely on lowest price. In fact many conveyancers offer a premium service for a slightly higher cost and that's what I would always recommend.

ExEstateAgent

Not entirely sure what we mean by 'online' - I sold my property using a local solicitor, offices literally 5 mins walk away, but everything was done online (the only exception was when I dropped some documents through their letterbox one night instead of posting them).

I bought the next property using a remote firm, again everything online or over the phone.

Using a local firm doesn't mean you're going to be having updates in person over tea and biscuits.