solicitor questions

[hawaiibaby]

Have sold stc this week but yet to find anywhere so have not started looking for a solicitor. I just wondered does there tend to be a big variance in price between conveyance solicitors? And is there any advantage using a local one? Does it speed things up in terms of signing contracts etc.?

We will be in a bit of a rush so really don't want any unnecessary delays and have heard sole solicitors can drag their feet a bit? Thanks.

[PurpleDaisies]

Definitely ask around for a recommendation-a good solicitor is worth their weight in gold. It massively speeds up the whole process.

Where in the country are you? Internet ones tend to be spectacularly crap if my friends' experiences are anything to go by. It is good to be able to meet face to face for a chat if things get complicated.

[hawaiibaby]

Thanks Purple, we are in Nottingham / Derby if anyone can recommend on here. I will ask friends, too then. I'm glad you've said this as I didn't know if generally it made little difference who we had!

Does anyone know if it can be advantageous to use the EA solicitor? Wondered if it might make things quicker or if it's purely that the EA just makes a bit more money. There's been a few minor niggles with them so far so am torn as to whether I should go independent or if this would make them slower / sloppier!

[PurpleDaisies]

I've sent you a pm.

[specialsubject]

The ea solicitor will be no better and certainly pricier.

If they are cocking up already , lose them.

[ChampagneCommunist]

Ask the EA if it's a paid referral - I.e. Is the agent getting paid by the solicitors to recommend you.

[hawaiibaby]

Thanks both, I will scrap that thought then. They are just a bit sloppy, didn't turn up for our buyer's first viewing (buyers told us when we met them) and put their solicitors down for us on the memo of sale and when I queried, breezily told me we had signed up to them. Erm, no!

[CotswoldStrife]

I'd look around quickly - your buyers will want to speak to your solicitor about the sale, regardless of whether you have found somewhere or not!

Our solicitor said in the letter that they paid our EA a fee for the referral (but a relative small amount and they did quote it).

[MrsBungle]

I'm in Nottingham and currently using Nelsons. We used them last house sale too and they were good enough.

[hawaiibaby]

Thanks very much all and thank you Mrs bungle, I will get a quote from them.

[HereIAm20]

Some will do it as a fixed fee for purchase and for the sale and some do it on a percentage. The solicitors fees are not usually as high as the EA and don't forget there will be disbursements such as search fees, land registry fees and stamp duty on top of the solicitors fees.