Finding a decent conveyancer

[Happyplacestolive]

We have a second viewing today and hoping to make an offer. We used an online conveyancer for selling our house (against estate agent's advice) which we found by using a comparison website. All went pretty smoothly and cost was a third of what the local solicitor (recommended by estate agent) quoted.

I'm not sure about using someone online when buying a house, or is this pretty standard? Is it worth paying the extra and using a local agent?

You can certainly use someone online, although they'll be plenty of conveyancers or solicitors locally who can act for you, which is much more convenient for signing final paperwork/touching base. Ask your local friends/family who they've used. If not phone for some quotes and get a feel of who you think might be good to act.

It's a completely new area to us, so no friends or family there. It's in the cotswolds, so was worried about paying a premium for someone local to that area.