House buying.
- Thread starter Jameshow
- Start date
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DCLane
Found in the Yorkshire hills ...
- Location
- Dewsbury, West Yorkshire
We're helping son no. 1 with this at the moment. He's been burnt / scammed by a firm of online solicitors. Now he's with our local solicitor, who insisted on a face-to-face meeting before taking on the job. They're also almost the same price as the cheapest quote he'd got from the dodgy firm: re-assuringly their office is basic but suitable so the money hasn't gone on decor. The only issue is they're not quick, but that seems to be a common problem with solicitors.
For me it's a major purchase and I'd go local every time. A national firm is likely to have additional overheads. And you've got a local face/ point of contact rather than a call centre.
Are you staying in West Yorkshire or flying the nest?
For me it's a major purchase and I'd go local every time. A national firm is likely to have additional overheads. And you've got a local face/ point of contact rather than a call centre.
Are you staying in West Yorkshire or flying the nest?
I'd go local if they are not too much more expensive than an online firm. If anyone you know has moved recently, ask if they would recommend their conveyancer and use the exact person. Doesn't matter if they have moved firms, it's the person's skill and hard working attitude that counts not the name above the door.
Regular.Cyclist
Über Member
- Location
- South West Scotland 🏴
I recently purchased a home and went with a local firm of solicitors. My daughter’s father in law is a retired conveyancing solicitor and can tell many more stories about problems with online firms than local ones.
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
Local firm with local offices you can walk into.
Fastpedaller
Über Member
Our Daughter bought her first house 18 months ago (time flies and I'm still decorating!). She went with a local firm, but chose one with several staff - otherwise, If it's a very small place and someone's unable to work through illness or whatever it can halt progress. One big thing to beware of is the scams where emails are intercepted and scammers divert funds (typically deposit) to other bank accounts. Our Daughter had early correspondence from the conveyencers giving the bank details and stating 'please call us on the day you send deposit, to verify the bank details'. When she called she was told by a junior "it's all in your letter, why are you ringing us?". Daughter was assertive and insisted the junior told her the details and that they were recording the call. Other than that it was ok.
Regular.Cyclist
Über Member
- Location
- South West Scotland 🏴
I got told by my conveyancer to phone and speak with their cash office before sending any funds. They were glad I took that advice and called back a short time later to confirm receipt of funds.
OP
OP
Jameshow
Veteran
Marchrider
Über Member
I would guess local with be less devious and money grabbing than some faceless online version -
My last solicitor got struck off for robbing his clients. And now we are trying to secure a new one to go through Confirmation (that's Probate in England) Have been trying to go by word of mouth in who to go with, and have asked many people locally, I just here horror stories and dissatisfaction - I'm yet to here anything good about any of them
And the wildly open ended prices they are threatening us with - £250 an hour (£350 if its complicated) + a variable percentage - Surely if it is complicated it will take longer why do they add another 100 an hour, brain having to work in a higher gear?
My last solicitor got struck off for robbing his clients. And now we are trying to secure a new one to go through Confirmation (that's Probate in England) Have been trying to go by word of mouth in who to go with, and have asked many people locally, I just here horror stories and dissatisfaction - I'm yet to here anything good about any of them
And the wildly open ended prices they are threatening us with - £250 an hour (£350 if its complicated) + a variable percentage - Surely if it is complicated it will take longer why do they add another 100 an hour, brain having to work in a higher gear?
ebikeerwidnes
Guru
- Location
- Z’ha’dum
I have always used local places
as said above - one where you can go in and talk to someone face-to-face
The one I used to buy this place - and the one before - did that and it was re-assuring to actually talk to the person who knows about "stuff"
and if something goes wrong then you can do that same
on-line is fine as long as everything goes absolutely smoothly
but there are a lot of places where problem can crop up so the comfort of being able to go in and talk helps
find someone who gives a fixed quote as well - but make sure you understand the extras that "might" get added on so you don;t get any surprises
again - local firms tend to be better for that as well
anyway - good luck - hope it goes well, it normally does!!
as said above - one where you can go in and talk to someone face-to-face
The one I used to buy this place - and the one before - did that and it was re-assuring to actually talk to the person who knows about "stuff"
and if something goes wrong then you can do that same
on-line is fine as long as everything goes absolutely smoothly
but there are a lot of places where problem can crop up so the comfort of being able to go in and talk helps
find someone who gives a fixed quote as well - but make sure you understand the extras that "might" get added on so you don;t get any surprises
again - local firms tend to be better for that as well
anyway - good luck - hope it goes well, it normally does!!
Years ago, after a very frustration time with a national that I could never get to speak to or contact so I started using a local for future house purchases. That way they know if I can't get hold of them then I will be knocking on their door. Its a much more personal service you get with a local and things seem to get done much quicker.
DRM
Guru
- Location
- West Yorks
This in spades, it's far better to be able to speak to someone face to face, and be able to visit their office if problems arise, which they can do quite easily with such a huge purchase
biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
Keep local
I agree, also make sure it’s a fully qualified solicitor doing the work for you, worth paying a bit more.
The big “factory” conveyancers use case handlers and licensed conveyancers.
Often the transaction is delayed because a qualified solicitor has to sign off the file before exchange can take place.
So local every time!
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