Estate agents and their solicitors

[Freddiefox]

Hi,

Is there any reason not to use the estate agents recommended solicitor? And any reason not to use the same one as the sellers?

Can t quite think why it wouldn’t be a good idea, and they are coming in cheaper and have good reviews online.

Independence.

Pick one you know has your interests at heart and that is recommended by people you trust.

Moving to a new area, we picked a solicitor that advertised in the sales suite.

They were abysmal, got most things wrong and ended up refunding some money, although they said they knew we had overpaid, but they didn’t know why.

I think the one doing our conveyancing got the sack because she left very suddenly a couple of weeks before completion.

Hmm , i would get an independent one

I'd be suspicious why they wanted me to use theirs

A good agent will recommend a selection of decent solicitors because they want the sales to progress.
A shit agent might recommend their mate because they get some wine at Christmas. I’d be a bit wary of them if they’ve only recommended one.
You usually can’t use the same Solicitor as your seller though, it’s a conflict of interest for the solicitor. You might be able to sue the same firm but i don’t think it is best practice.

*use not sue 🙄

Some estate agents have their own conveyancing side, our seller sold with WH Brown used Sequence and they were awful.

I used the estate agent recommended one and she was amazing. I can give you her name if you like.

I wouldn't.

As PP said your sellers solicitor can't represent you. Imagine if a dispute arose. Your solitor is there to represent your interests and if they also have to represent the sellers something would have to give.

Find yourself a good, independent local solictor. Likely to be someone on your high street. Forget glossy offices and swanky headed paper. Our solicitors firm are in three offices above a shop on our local high street. We've used them for various things and I recommend them to friends regularly. You want someone who does lots of conveyancing, you can pop in to see to sign paperwork (saves lots of time) and keeps you informed.

I wouldn't go with Countrywide Property Services if you are going through Bridgfords. They seem to delay matters everytime I have to deal with them.

I used the solicitor recommended by the EA and they were beyond dreadful - she never once answered her direct line to me, and emails were ignored for days.

The EA had said that they had a great working relationship with them, but even they couldn't get any answers from her at one point.

Thanks all, I went with a local firm in the end, will cost a bit more but feel at ease with that