A conveyancer has a vital role to play in handing all the legal aspects of your property sale or purchase and should give you peace of mind that the important details are being looked after. 

If you are unsure where to start looking, read our top 5 tips below which should provide a useful insight into what to look for!

Communication is key to keeping stress at bay. You need a conveyancer who will listen to your concerns, identify and explain any issues, provide solutions, and keep you informed every step of the way.

Whist it may be tempting to choose an online conveyancer based on cost alone, you are likely to end up dealing with a different person every time you call who may not be familiar with your transaction. Ideally you should look for a local conveyancing firm which will appoint a person or team to handle your sale or purchase, allowing for quicker communication and a more personal service. Select a firm you know and ask who will be looking after your file, it could save you a lot of frustration in the long run.

You shouldn’t underestimate using a local conveyancer who has a good knowledge of the local area and understands any local issues or factors that may influence your move. 

Using a local firm also makes it easier if you need any advice or to be able to deliver documents in person. It is always advisable to have the option of a face to face meeting with your conveyancer to discuss any questions or concerns you may have and a good conveyancer will always be happy to make the time to meet you, whether that be in person or via video call and put your mind at ease.

The conveyancer you choose will be responsible for all the legal aspects of your sale or purchase and whilst you might want to keep costs to a minimum during what is undoubtedly an expensive exercise, don’t let it lead you to an inexperienced or disreputable firm. The cheaper the conveyancer’s fees, the more likely it is that you will be dealing with unqualified staff who may just follow a script as opposed to an experienced and qualified lawyer who has the experience to help proactively resolve any arising issues.

Buying a house is often the single largest transaction a person will make in his or her lifetime and getting the legal work wrong can lead to expensive and stressful situations in the future. 

Conveyancer’s fees are usually a small part of the overall expense of buying or selling property and we would recommend that you do not scrimp. As they say: you get what you pay for.

You should also ensure that the cost estimate you are provided with by your conveyancer details all legal fees and other payments so that you can budget for your transaction. Sometimes a cheaper “quote” does not always include all costs of the transaction. A good conveyancer will always provide you with a transparent cost estimate detailing all likely costs.

No two property transactions are the same, so it’s important you appoint someone who specialises in conveyancing who will be able to guide you through the process and ensure everything progresses efficiently. 

This may sound obvious but this is not an area of law to rely on favours or inexperience, the standard of service can vary dramatically from one firm to another. Online conveyancing firms often employ unqualified staff in order to keep their fees attractive so do your research and look at the team and each Conveyancer’s qualifications and experience.

Often, when buying or selling a property, people find themselves choosing a conveyancer in a hurry, at the point when they are ready to make or accept an offer. Unfortunately, this can result in hasty decisions and people may resort to picking the first conveyancer they come across. 

If you haven’t used a conveyancer or solicitor before, a recommendation is always a good place to start. Whilst the estate agent or mortgage broker may be able to recommend someone, why not ask your own friends and family as they will base their recommendation on their own personal experience. Alternatively, take a look at client testimonials on your conveyancers’ website. 

This article was written by Kerry Parsons who specialises in residential property at Woodstock Legal Services.

Whatever your conveyancing or property needs, please get in touch with us to see how we can help.