Top 5 Tips For Choosing A Conveyancing Solicitor When Moving House
Buying or selling a house should be an exciting time. Instead, most homeowners and first-time buyers find it to be an incredibly frustrating and complicated experience, especially if there is an ongoing property chain.
From confusing legalities to unexplained costs and last-minute changes, the sale or purchase of property never seems to be as straightforward as we want it to be. That’s why having the right conveyancing solicitor on your side is crucial.
What Is A Conveyancing Solicitor?
A conveyancing solicitor is a qualified and practising solicitor who specialises in property law. This often includes both residential and commercial property.
A conveyancing solicitor is responsible for the (often complex) legalities involved in transferring property ownership, including handling contracts, carrying out local council searches and dealing with the land registry.
They are hands-on professionals who will represent your best interests and act on your behalf. Conveyancing solicitors can also offer their professional advice and guidance on various matters relating to the purchase and sale of property.
Top Tips For Choosing A Conveyancing Solicitor
Having the right conveyancing solicitor can hugely impact your experience when buying or selling a property. However, knowing which solicitor to trust with such an important task can be tricky. So, we have put together five top tips to help you in your search for the right solicitor.
You should choose the conveyancing solicitor that…
Offers Complete Transparency
A trustworthy conveyancing solicitor will be transparent and upfront from day one. They should be open and honest about their pricing structure, their conveyancing fees, any additional costs you may encounter and their timeframes.
Conveyancing solicitors should also be transparent about the services they offer. For example, if you require a drainage and water search, or an environmental search, you want to be sure that your conveyancing solicitor can provide these services swiftly and transparently.
Prioritises Communication
Good communication is crucial when dealing with a property purchase or sale. Having a conveyancing solicitor that prioritises communication will make the whole process much smoother.
Ideally, opt for a solicitor’s firm that will assign you one primary solicitor who is going to communicate key updates and information regularly whilst being available when you need them. During the initial consultation, be sure to ask about communication. How often will your solicitor be in touch? How will they provide updates? Will they take into consideration your preferred type of communication?
Is Experienced
Experience is priceless when it comes to solicitors, which is why it is important to choose a solicitor that specialises in property law and conveyancing.
Seasoned conveyancing solicitors will have a wealth of experience in the purchase and sale of properties and will be familiar with the wide range of issues that may arise.
More importantly, they will have experience in preventing and resolving issues in a timely and professional manner.
If you opt for an experienced conveyancing solicitor (ideally one that has experience in the local area), you will have complete peace of mind throughout the process.
Has Customer Reviews
When choosing a conveyancing solicitor, always look for verified customer testimonials. These can often be found on the company’s website, their Facebook business page, Google or online directories, such as Yell and Yelp.
Customer testimonials will provide you with a better understanding of the quality of service and experience you can expect from the conveyancing solicitor.
Offers Additional Services
Conveyancing solicitors that offer additional services, or can point you in the right direction, are truly invaluable. Whether it is estate planning, family law or home insurance, your solicitor should be able to advise you on the best course of action. A good solicitors firm will also have connections with local businesses and organisations that you can trust.
In Summary
Choosing the right conveyancing solicitor can significantly ease the complexities of buying or selling a house. By focusing on transparency, communication, experience, customer reviews, and additional services, you can find a solicitor who will guide you smoothly through the property transaction process.
A well-chosen solicitor will not only handle the legal intricacies but also provide peace of mind, making your property journey a more positive and less stressful experience.
Remember, investing time in selecting the right professional can save you from potential pitfalls and ensure a successful and satisfying property transaction.
Now you understand what a conveyancing solicitor is, the services they provide, why they are crucial and how to pick the right one, you can rest assured that picking one will be a breeze.
