Advantage in using local conveyancing firm?

[cairnterrier]

Is there any advantage to using a local solicitors when buying a house? We're selling in one part of the country and buying in another so was just wondering if we can use the same solicitors for both or if there is an advantage to using one with local knowledge.

Thanks

I don't know if local knowledge makes a difference - the people buying ours weren't local and nor were their solicitors. The solicitor was very thorough with queries...

We used a local solicitor (we were staying in the same area) and it was useful as we were able to drop documents/go in for a chat frequently which I think made a difference if a quick sale/purchase is a priority for you? Then again some online solicitors use email which would have been quicker still... It is a bit of a minefield, we were lucky with our solicitors, they were lovely!

I would use one local to where you are (We're currently relocating too). There have been 5 occasions where we've had to take documents in to speed things up (rather then rely on the post) and we've also had to go in twice to sign things. That would be a PITA if we'd had to travel to the new location.

We are using online conveyancers at the moment and it's been a terrible mistake! No one can ever get hold of them and I receive constant complaints from the other agents and solicitors in the chain. I know that's not really what you're asking but I thought I'd add it as a cautionary tale for anyone else who reads this.

I would also use a solicitor/conveyancer in the area you presently live. Things can be done online & in the post these days, but there's nothing like being able to turn up in the office and speak to someone (even if solicitor is busy, any good secretary will know/can find out what's happening or assist you).

We are getting one in our current local area - I think that if you need to drop stuff off or harass them then local is better.

There's no need to use one in the local area at all. For my last move (east london to south london) I used solicitors based in Suffolk. It worked very well. I've bought two properties and never had to visit the solicitor's office in person. Everything was done by email/phone/mail without any difficulty.

I would steer well clear of the conveyancing factories though and pay a little more for a decent high street solicitor (preferably someone recommended to you).

We are using Premier Property Lawyers and have been really pleased with them. They have online software to allow us to upload documents and track progress.

Total conveyancing are a bit of a nightmare.

We used a high street soltitor and had poor service. I don't think that being local necessarily means better. I agree that you have to go on personal recommendation.

What other people have said - local is good so you can pop in rather than because of local knowledge.

I'm in Kent and used one in Wales (Bespoke Law Servicew) and they've been amazing and really fast.

My mum is moving from SW London to Kent and is using an online firm who have also been great, really fast and always available to answer queries (and cheap).
Before them, she was buying another house which fell through. The conveyances she used with them were local and were pretty rubbish.

I don't think it matters where they are. I'm assuming it's more down to work load and competence!

Local with a good reputation - makes all the difference.

I'm all for using online services to save money where it makes sense (I have used online estate agents to sell two houses) but I would not, at least not yet, use online conveyancers.

It's useful to be able to walk in somewhere and give them a nudge. Also one of my house sales was to a buyer using an online conveyancer. I forget which firm but they added 6 weeks onto the transaction duration and almost cause me to cancel.

no need for local at all unless you like chucking money away.

the post takes a day, there is email and there are telephones.

I moved quite a distance. Local solicitors at both ends wanted twice or more what the firm I used charged. One even wanted to charge extra for the photocopying.

in both transactions the other parties used local solicitors, both of whom were pig-slow and messed about. I was forever getting them chased.

don't go to the ultra-cheap conveyancing body shops, but you can get quotes from reallymoving for good firms. Or PM me for the one I used.

If you've had a good experience specialsubject then PM me the firm's name. All my contact has been dire which is why I said 'at least not yet' - I'd be more than happy to find a responsive, competent online firm.

Having said that, another reason for local can be where complications creep in, e.g. I had a house where the land registry had mixed the plans up with next door and where I needed to negotiate a land change of use from agricultural to garden (as it had been used as garden for 10 years) - where being able to pop in and discuss with plans on the table was very useful.

I'd definitely go with recommendations. I think local knowledge and being able to pop in with documents and discuss the move face to face extremely important but local firms can be expensive and slow, especially if everything is sent by post and/or the solicitor is often difficult to contact and slow to respond to requests.

I work in a conveyancing solicitors - it's on a high street so good for local people, especially when you need to produce ID! It can be a faff scanning ID and getting someone to "sign" that they've seen the originals for an online conveyancer! But, my employers now advertise on the web which is bringing clients in from all over the country and the consequence of this is that they have a lot of work but not the manpower to handle it competently, therefore mistakes happen, resulting in unhappy clients. They aim to respond by email and/or scanning documents so the whole transaction is quicker but with the amount of work they currently have, sometimes they are hard pushed to email quickly enough for the client's satisfaction. They could employ some new staff, but somehow I know that this is not going to happen soon enough.

I have used Premier Property Lawyers (online) twice now for my own moves and found them to be excellent, though it may depend on the conveyancer working on your case. I would definitely recommend them, though I do think that if I ever move again (I hope not!), I would like to find a local firm with the local knowledge, a solicitor/conveyancer I can visit, and one who is on the ball and not still following antiquated practices, and who will develop a good relationship with me as a client of theirs and not charge the earth! Sounds like too much to expect in this day and age!