Sale & Purchase of Property

[MondayNiteLive2026]

I haven't done a property sale and purchase in over 15 years. Wonder if I can get some advise please:

How much is a conveyancer - and if there is a deposit to engage, how much would this be?
Any suggestions on good conveyancers in the Dorset area please?

Is an offer 5%-10% below asking price acceptable (property between 500k-550k)?

How long did it take you to complete after offer came in and how long was your chain?

Thanks in advance!

Conveyancing for our sale and purchase in Herts 2024 was approx £1200 and £1500 I think. Standard freehold houses. No deposit required but you pay up front for the searches and other bits and pieces I forget the details.

Offers under asking price are completely dependent on context....how long it's been listed, how are other similar properties selling, is it in good nick and is it already priced for its condition, how much do you want it and what are you willing to in pay for it?

We completed in exactly three months, four in the chain, but I think that's unusual or we were lucky. I was hot on the agents and solicitors because we needed to move in time for school applications and it worked.

First off, offer what you feel comfortable with. It’s often said 10% under is reasonable, but I personally wouldn’t expect to receive £55k off a £550k property. Saying that, there are lots of variables. If the property has been on the market 6 weeks you may have more luck than if it’s just come on. Likewise, the sellers personal circumstances will also dictate what they are willing to accept. Basically there are no rules when it comes to offers!!

I moved last year - 50 weeks after I viewed the property! The original chain had 5 links (4 houses) with us being link 3. After 4 or 5 months our buyers buyer pulled out so we both went back on the market. We re-sold first - albeit at a lower value - and this time to a FTB so the chain recompleted with 4 links. Strap in, it could be a bumpy ride.

i think we paid about £4k conveyancing, covering both purchase and sale.

I am in the process of buying and selling. I’ve had to pay £500 upfront for the Solicitor to have on file for searches etc. From memo of sale to being ready to complete has been 6 weeks (rest of chain not ready yet). We’ve used the best Solicitor's I’ve ever had (have moved a lot!) called Elite, they are online and a little more pricey than some but worth every penny. They’ve just sorted DP house too he completed on Friday - took 6 weeks also.

Have a look at their Trustpilot reviews

https://elite-conveyancing.com/

Eta being online hasn’t caused any problems at all as lost things have been done via email. They’ve taken all the stress out of it, they’re very fast, excellent communication and turn issues around the same day.

Thanks for the response. 3 months sounds very quick - but if it happened for you, then there's hope.

Do you mind sharing the name of your converyancer?

Thanks.

Thanks for your response.

50 weeks is a really long time!!!! I've got fingers and toes crossed for Christmas 2026 in my new house. 😃

Did you have to pay any money upfront for the solicitor?

Thanks.

Thank you for your response. I have checked out the reviews for Elite - seems like an excellent company to deal with.

6 weeks! wow impressive. Hope you don't have to wait much longer.

What has been the hardest part in your opinion?

Thanks.

Like a previous poster I think we paid ~£400 up front for the solicitors to instruct searches. And I think ~£500 of our end total was for the aborted sale.

Yes, 50 weeks was a very long time and I lost the will to proceed a number of times - especially when we relisted - but we knew the property we were buying was a long-term house for us and I’m glad we persevered.

House selling/buying in this country is an emotional rollercoaster so be prepared for anything!