How can you tell if a conveyancing solicitor is any good?

[CharminglyOdd]

We are probably going to be making an offer on a house tomorrow. It's happened fast as there is already an offer in and we have received one month's notice to quit on our flat... buying in our street is something we've been knocking around for a while but not had the impetus to act (house is perfect, total bargain as is repossession etc.).

Anyway, neither of us have bought a house before and (I don't think) have dealt with any kind of legal practice in the UK. DP has had some dealings in his home country but doesn't know how things work here and I just don't have a clue

My Dad has suggested we call a local solicitor and ask them a) for a conveyancing quote and b) how fast they can do the conveyancing so that we have them set up and ready to go if necessary. How can we tell if a solicitor is any good please? What kind of responses are we looking for? I have found a regional firm that looks friendly, professional and has an easy-to-understand first time buyers guide setting out what they will do. Are there bodies that they should be registered with?

I'm happy to post a link to the firm but didn't think that was correct etiquette for an OP. Any advice appreciated, thank you :)

Honestly, I would put in an offer but DP doesn't want to - the LLs live directly opposite the house so we would have to pass them every single day. The fact that it's not their dream family home is what's making me cross. I feel like they asked us to leave somewhere we have been very happy (the flat, which is disappointing but fine, we knew it would happen eventually) and when we find somewhere that we both like it turns out they also want it.

Apparently they are 'missing one signature'. If we outbid them they we do screw up their plans (which I am fine with, DP isn't) and if someone else outbid them then we both lose the house. I can't make DP bid and if he isn't comfortable with it then that has to be okay. I am just so cross that she cried because then his immediate reaction was 'don't worry, I'll back off'. I don't think she cried deliberately - she's under a lot of stress at the moment and nearly cried when they gave us notice.

Why not put in an expression of interest with the agent? But say that you will only bid if your friends are unable to complete?

That way you don't sabotage their purchase but still keep the door open for you.

If it gets to to the two weeks and your friends are still seeking the signature then be a bit careful because you might waste money on a contract race that would be difficult to win. In that case i would only bid on the house with written confirmation that your friends are no longer in the running. Although how you would get that........?

What a nightmare

Oh and are you still friends with people who are giving you notice (you agreeing to a reduced notice period) to leave one rental without offering you the option of renting the new rental that they are buying - hence making you homeless? Or am i missing something?

Thank you :) have spoken to DP about an expression of interest and he says he will but I've left home now for the week so am not sure if he will or not... Fingers crossed!

You're not missing anything. We certainly could not afford to rent the house in its entirety (it would be more than double our current rent) but nor was it offered. I have to admit I'm far from happy but DP wants to keep the peace as he hates strife so I'm not going to run through the street screaming or anything like that.

You must have a solicitor who is available to call when you need them. The rest can be found here www.shareamortgage.com/news/Conveyancing/2014/02/20-Choosing-a-good-conveyancing-solicitor#.U-HnQ-NdV8E

There are plenty of good solicitors in the market, you just need to know where to look.

Spamming on a zombie thread? Oh dear....