Conveyancing - should I use internet based?

Heidi_Jane

Hi,

I am about to sell my property and want any opinions on wether or not I should use internet based conveyancing firms. The quotes on the internet are much cheaper than what the estate agents solicitors charge.


Thanks.

Tassotti

you get what you pay for!!

david29dpo

Agreed. Most are happy with internet firms until something goes wrong, which it does, a lot.

macaque_2

It does not surprise me to see that the first two responses come from solicitors suggesting that you should always use a solicitor. Whilst there can be links between quality and cost, one should look a little deeper than shallow soundbites from vested interests. Two things that a buyer might consider are:

(1) What is the level of skill is necessary to do conveyancing and does the person you are using have this skill?

Conveyancing does not require much skill other than diligence. Most solicitors delegate the grunt work to office juniors. Unfortunately, the biggest problems often emerge from errors in the grunt work.

(2) What protection does the buyer have if things go wrong?

It is a sad truth that solicitors are most efficient when defending their own interests. Over the years I have known of many transaction problems. However, I have never (personnally) come across a case where solicitor's (or their insurer) compensation for errors has exeeded the cost of their professional charges.

I would strongly consider an internet based service if the price is competetive. I would however want to know something about the company and their track record.

Remember that you are the best protector of your own insterests. Irrespective of who you use, go through all documentation with a fine tooth comb and ask questions when things don't look right or don't make sense.

P.P.S.

Message to david29dpo

Keep that biscuit on your nose for another 30 seconds and then you can eat it.

david29dpo

PS. I am not a solicitor.

shelly

We used an internet based conveyancing firm and was able to contact them by phone and e-mail. Overall the service was ok and we did save alot of money money but at times it was very frustrating not being able to hand deliver paperwork and sometimes time is against you. i.e hubby was leaving the country for 3 days, they wanted to send paperwork that was only able to be signed by him on the day he left and I had to get it back to them on the day I received it.
A few instances like that can really hold things up.

PasturesNew

I used an online firm when I sold last year.

While they were cheap and they did get to the end without mishap (well, not one I've found out about yet), I did find it virtually impossible to communicate my requirements (time between exchange/completion that was necessary) and I found it virtually impossible to get any information that I needed from them (status of the conveyance and when I'd exchange).

In the end, I just ended up accepting 48 hours between exchange/completion when I had started out by insisting on 2 weeks.

TighterThanTwoCoatsOfPain

Hving been stuck mid chain twice now, where my buyer used an internet conveyancing 'farm' i would go as far to say that i wouldnt sell another house to a buyer who was using one.

Both times they made hurrendous mistakes, which nearly caused my most recent move's chain to collapse 3 days before completion.

I ended up having to personally hand deliver a set of documents on a 300mile round trip to avoid it.

As above, you get what you pay for.. The biggest purchase of your life (and the whole chains - probably) so is it worth it to save 300quid odd in the scheme of things?

david29dpo

macaque take note.

phead

Heidi_Jane wrote: »

Hi,
I am about to sell my property and want any opinions on wether or not I should use internet based conveyancing firms. The quotes on the internet are much cheaper than what the estate agents solicitors charge.
Thanks.

My buyer used a internet conveyancing firm.....

MUPPETS-MUPPETS-MUPPETS-MUPPETS-MUPPETS-MUPPETS-MUPPETS-MUPPETS-MUPPETS-MUPPETS-MUPPETS-MUPPETS-MUPPETS-MUPPETS-MUPPETS-MUPPETS-MUPPETS-MUPPETS-MUPPETS-MUPPETS-MUPPETS

The idiots even forgot to transfer the freehold, it was only when he came to sell that he found he didn't even own his property, I still did! Took him ages to sort that out, by which time he lost his buyer.

macaque_2

david29dpo wrote: »

macaque take note.

Fair comment (given the other posts). I would be interested to hear other people's experience of both solicitors and conveyancing firms.