When is the best time to instruct a solicitor or conveyancer during the process of buying or selling your house?
It’s a question we’re frequently asked by our clients. Many people choose to instruct once they have found a property or a buyer and this is absolutely fine. But we’d certainly recommend putting some time into research prior to this, and, if you find someone you like, making contact in advance.
A conveyancer or solicitor is the person who is vital to the successful purchase of your house, yet all too often people make the decision in a hurry, or with little or no research. Choosing carefully could mean the difference between completing your sale on time or having a series of setbacks and delays. And don’t forget, the work your solicitor or conveyancer does today could have a huge impact when you come to sell your house in the future.
Very often people aren’t aware of the amount of legal work that is carried out to secure a successful sale. Buying or selling a house can be a complicated process and you need to be sure of the legal advice you receive during this time, so choosing the right solicitor or conveyancer is such an important decision. There is also a huge misconception that all we do is fill in forms all day – there’s a lot of technical skill involved in the conveyancing process.
At Cartridges Law we love being able to work with clients to reach a good conclusion and help them to move where they want to be. We love saying to people ‘you’ve exchanged’. Buying a house and moving can be one of the most stressful things you do in your life and it is a real privilege to be able to help people and make it as straightforward and easy as possible.
Here are Cartridges Law’s top tips to help you make that choice.
- Keep it local – there’s a lot to be said for knowing that the person on the end of the phone understands the local issues and factors that may have an influence on your move. If you choose online conveyancing, which may be cheaper, you’ll only be able to deal with them by email or phone and you might not speak to the same person each time.
- Keep it personal – if you choose a local conveyancer you can get to know the person or team handling your sale or purchase. You don’t want to be treated like just another target on a spreadsheet by a faceless voice based in a distant call centre.
- Experience counts – ensure your conveyancer is experienced in this field of law.
- Understand the process – no two house purchases or sales are the same, so it’s important to ask about the process in advance. Also ask them how often they will be in touch with you. Regular updates will help to ensure your move is kept on the right track and identify any problems before they arise.
- Watch out for hidden costs – some quotes may be cheap, but check them thoroughly as you may find hidden costs that aren’t revealed until you proceed. Always ask what your final bill will be so there aren’t any unpleasant surprises. At Cartridges Law we are completely upfront about our conveyancing fees. Check out our fees here.
Contact Cyndy Walker at Cartridges Law on 01392 286770, or email cyndy.walker@cartridgeslaw.co.uk