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Original poster

Solicitors/conveyancer questions - help!

19 replies

Photogemic · 22/02/2022 15:57

So we've finally sold our house after a few false starts. Our estate agents have in-house panel or something they use and they have given us a quote for our sale and then our onward purchase. We don't yet have an onward purchase and while the sale cost seems OK i'm concerned that the purchase cost is more than other quotes.

I'm thinking of using them for the sale as my buyers are using one of their recommended ones to ensure everything goes smoothly but has anyone ever used a different solicitor/conveyancer for their purchase?

Is it worth the hassle the price?

If we were to go with the same company for both parts it would be about £4,000 is this normal? I am in North London.

Thanks

OP posts:
pilates · 22/02/2022 16:04

Do not use in-house solicitors recommended by estate agents. Go on Google review or personal recommendations for a solicitor and it will be easier if the solicitor acts for both sale and purchase. Honestly, you will regret it, they give a crap service. I hope the agents aren’t pressurising you?

SatinHeart · 22/02/2022 16:07

I've never heard of anyone using a different conveyancer for the sale and purchase if both transactions are going through at the same time ie in a chain. I think the quotes are normally based on the value of the property being bought/sold?

Also I wouldn't touch EA in-house solicitors with a barge pole.

happystrummer · 22/02/2022 16:08

I am in North London, just selling. These local sols on Holloway Road have been brilliant and no more expensive than online conveyancing firms. No website, old fashioned office but i never have to chase anything up and everything done quickly and copied into everything.

Alban Gould, Baker & Co.

GoldenGorilla · 22/02/2022 16:14
  1. It will be really complicated and aggravating to use different lawyers for sale and purchase. They’ll have to coordinate on stuff, which will slow everything down, create issues, and ultimately cost more.
  1. It’s usually a really bad idea to use the estate agents recommended solicitors. There’s an obvious conflict of interest. If the solicitors rely on getting recommendations from the estate agents, they will be under pressure to see the transaction through on schedule. So even if there’s an issue that may cause you problems later on, they’ll be pushed by the estate agents to say it’s ok.
  1. The only reason that sales are “smoother” when you use the recommended lawyers is because they smooth over issues. That’s not always in your interests.
  1. Ask for recommendations, read reviews, and actually do your research. Then choose lawyers.

We are property developers and have bought and sold huge numbers of properties - we would never use the recommended lawyer.

AtillatheHun · 22/02/2022 16:15

Never used recommend, but always use the same for sale and purchase. Price will depend to an extent on the value of the properties and substantially on whether they’re freehold or leasehold

Savvysix1984 · 22/02/2022 16:16

We paid £2400 for just a house purchase so I don't think that's unreasonable.

Original poster
Photogemic · 22/02/2022 17:44

Wow thank you everyone! Last time we bought a house it was a very different and unusual situation so not had to really deal with this before.

Thats my evening sorted then and will be googling like mad tonight!

OP posts:
Original poster
Photogemic · 22/02/2022 17:45

@pilates

Do not use in-house solicitors recommended by estate agents. Go on Google review or personal recommendations for a solicitor and it will be easier if the solicitor acts for both sale and purchase. Honestly, you will regret it, they give a crap service. I hope the agents aren’t pressurising you?
@pilates Sadly the person who works to Winkworth is! They texted me last night to say my buyers were going with them and then texted again this morning to ask and then called again while at work.
OP posts:
Original poster
Photogemic · 22/02/2022 17:46

@happystrummer Great thanks I will check them out tonight :)

OP posts:
Lostpainter · 22/02/2022 17:47

You pretty much need the same solicitor for sale and purchase as it will cause you no end of trouble otherwise. The price usually depends on the property values and if they are freehold or leasehold. I think we paid around £4k to buy and sell recently.

Original poster
Photogemic · 22/02/2022 17:51

@Lostpainter OK that makes me feel better that we're not being overcharged in that respect but didn't think that all the other issues that @GoldenGorilla and @AtillatheHun mentioned so thank you!

Really glad I asked on here!

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Frecklespy · 22/02/2022 18:31

Purchases are always more expensive than sales. With purchases the solicitor has to do the due diligence associated with buying a good and marketable title, whereas on a sale, the solicitor just has to answer enquiries and provide paperwork. Far more work to do on a purchase, therefore cost is always more.

Do not separate your sale from your purchase by choosing separate solicitors. It adds another solicitor to any chain and co-ordinating deposits and monies flowing up the chain for completion is a nightmare.

MinnieMountain · 23/02/2022 07:36

It’s not necessarily a bad idea to use the recommended conveyancer. Look at Trust Pilot reviews.

You’re wrong on 2 and 3 @GoldenGorilla. I work for one of those firms and we would never do either.

GoldenGorilla · 23/02/2022 07:51

@MinnieMountain - I was a property solicitor for 15 years in 4 firms. Lawyers absolutely do come under pressure to “smooth” issues when there are financial consequences for the firm. Not all will agree to, but some will. It’s a conflict of interest and (imo) should not be allowed. Now as property developers we never use the recommended firms precisely because of issues I saw in my former career.

MinnieMountain · 23/02/2022 07:59

Fair enough @GoldenGorilla. Now tell me, do you instruct your solicitor to be “computer says no” or is that only the larger developers?

GoldenGorilla · 23/02/2022 08:12

Hah no, we’re small enough to actually answer questions/solve issues rather than just have a blanket policy :) I did briefly work for a large developer and it was super frustrating.

InaccurateDream · 23/02/2022 08:38

Our EA recommended a local solicitor in the next town. They had good reviews so we felt comfortable using them. They did sale and purchase but used different people within the firm to focus on each aspect.

Generally I would ignore most reccs, and definitely if it’s a real in-house firm. But if you do your research there might be the odd one that’s ok.

Original poster
Photogemic · 23/02/2022 09:42

Thanks everyone!

I did some research on local forums and also google and found one and when I went to check what the EA had sent they were one of the ones recommended. Since they seem to have a good rep I think will be going with that one.

Thanks really appreciated all the advice and help!

OP posts:
tinyperson · 23/02/2022 14:39

Purchases are a tricky affair. Avoid in house solicitors, instead get recommendations, and check reviews.

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