Would you different solicitors for sale and purchase?

[cheminotte]

So we found out yesterday that our solicitor isn't on our bank's approved list. But as we've nearly sold once already they've already done all the paperwork for the sale side of things so I'm reluctant to pay to have it done all over again. But if they can't join the approved list, we will a new solicitor for the purchase. Could this work?

[bilbodog]

Seems pointless having to go with a different solicitor - are the bank providing your mortgage? Might be worth seeing an independent financial advisor to see if you can get a better deal with someone else who doesnt specify which solicitor you use. Have you tried asking if you have to use their recommended solicitor - just that i havent come across this when buying ir selling?

[bilbodog]

Alternative is to ask current solicitor to 'sell' whatever searches etc. They have already done to the new solicitor.

[cheminotte]

Yes they are adamant that it is only their solicitor. I've looked at alternatives but it is a really good deal so it would cost to change banks too.

[Spickle]

Normally the conveyancing solicitor will act both for you and for the lender in a transaction. In your case, because your solicitor is not on the panel of the lender, this means your solicitor can act for you but the lender will appoint its own solicitor to act for them. If you go ahead with your solicitor, everything will be copied to the lender's solicitor before it goes anywhere else, which obviously slows down the process quite significantly.

You should probably find another solicitor who is on your lender's panel or find another lender.

Reading the OP, are you already almost at exchange on your sale? This wouldn't be affected by the lender as you are selling, however I assume that money from the sale will be going towards the purchase? You can opt to go independently with your sale and purchase, but if you need them to be simultaneous, it may be that the sale will be put on hold until the purchase catches up.

Yes, searches can be sold on to the new solicitor, but you would be getting searches for the purchase only, not the sale. The contract package with various documents comes from the seller's solicitor, so the seller's solicitors would need to forward them on to your new solicitor, when they have got them back from your old solicitor.

[cheminotte]

Thanks for the response spickle - yes think we are close to exchange on the sale side but I don't really know as this is our third sale (of the same house) and the solicitor is just recycling documents that we provided first time around.
Neither our current solicitor or the new solicitor are keen to do dual for the purchase so we will just be using the new approved solicitor. The EA said it's fine to have different solicitors for sale and purchase so that's good.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

I have different solicitors for sale and purchase it is a nightmare I feel like a yo-yo between the two trying to set a completion date as they both feel they have to talk to me direct.