When buying or selling a home much is said about which estate agent to use, but one thing that often gets overlooked until the last minute is which solicitor you use for the conveyancing. This often leads to a rushed decision, which isn’t always the best decision.
With conveyancing costs in the UK averaging around £1,500 (excluding stamp duty costs) per transaction, they aren’t the cheapest thing you’ll ever pay for and many are tempted into seeking a cheaper alternative, which can actually prove to be far more costly in the long run, and can even lead to sales not completing at all! As is often the way with professional services, you get what you pay for, and there is normally a reason the cheap options are so cheap.
The best piece of advice when looking to instruct a solicitor is to ask for recommendations from trusted sources, and often choosing a local firm is better as they will likely have a better understanding of local property, and they will be easier to get to if you need to sign anything in person.
Speaking to your estate agent can be an excellent place to get a recommendation, but do be cautious and before going ahead with the recommendation ask the question, is the agent getting a referral fee? As this may be a driving factor for them suggesting that firm.
They say that moving home and divorce are the 2 most stressful things you can do in life so finding an efficient and communicative conveyancer can make for a much smoother transaction for all involved.