Solicitors

Buying and selling a property involves various legal ins and outs. Most of which you do not need to worry about, that’s why you employ a solicitor. The process ensures that you become the legal owner of the property and that the seller is the legal owner and entitled to sell it to you.

Finding a solicitor is an easy process. Either ask your friends for a recommendation, contact the Council of licensed Conveyancers or the Law Society for anyone in your area. Estate agents will often work in conjunction with a solicitor or give you a name. Make sure you do not share the same one as your buyer as this is against the rules and will hold up the proceedings whilst you engage a new one.

You could choose either a solicitor or conveyancer, as long as your lender approves the choice and more importantly, you feel able to connect with them, buying and selling is stressful and you need your solicitor on your side and to feel you can communicate with them.

Another increasingly popular way to see the selling process through is by using an online conveyancing company. This allows the buyer and seller to view the selling process through an online facility which is password protected. Transactions and electronic payments happen simultaneously. The whole process is said to be completed three weeks quicker then if using a standard conveyencer. Costs vary and on average your conveyancer will charge fees of between £400 and £750 plus vat. You could call the conveyancer and discuss the likely price or if using an online company, will be given an instant quote which will remain the same throughout, unless you fail to divulge something that alters the process and causes delays. Quotes can vary from area to area. The Land Registry will be speeding up the whole process by bringing it online within the next five to ten years.