Buying or selling property is alarge financial transaction and not a process to leave to chance. You want to makesure that everything is in order.
There are a few things you need to know, so you would get the best value whetheryou are buying or selling.
You will need the services of a solicitor or conveyancer to oversee the process oftransfer of ownership legally. Once an offer has been agreed upon, the next step isto provide your solicitor or conveyancer.
But how do you find the right solicitor or conveyancer?
Before finding the right solicitor or conveyancer, we need to know what they doand their differences. This will inform you on which one is suitable.
Conveyancing simply means the legal transfer of ownership of the property ifyou’re buying or selling.
A solicitor or conveyancer will give legal advice, handle contracts, carry out localcouncil searches, deal with the Land Registry and, transfer the money to pay foryour property.
The importance of a solicitor or conveyancer cannot be overemphasised.
Licenced conveyancers specialize in properties but cannot deal with complex legalissues.
Solicitors on the other hand are qualified lawyers. Sometimes they are a little bitmore expensive than conveyancers, but they offer a full range of legal services andcan appear in court.
A solicitor is probably the best choice, just in case of unexpected circumstances.
Tips to Finding The Right Solicitor
1. Recommendations and referrals
Asking from people you know and trust is important when considering your legal representatives. Recommendations come from people who are satisfied clients.Family and friends are a good way to start.
Other agents might recommend a solicitor for you to use, but be aware that thiscould increase what you are paying because they may charge commission for referrals.
2. Search online.
This will probably return a lot of results. To narrow down, you can localize your search options to the area the property is located. Check out what former clients say about a particular law firm. Also, you should check out online ratings and reviews to get a feel of what former clients are saying about the solicitor.
3. License and Registration
Genuine solicitors have roll numbers, this is also known as SRA I.D. You should askfor your intended solicitor’s SRA number and check it on the Law Society’s onlinedirectory.
Also, make sure your chosen solicitor is a member of the Law Society’sConveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS).
4. Communication
Having a solicitor who responds to your question makes the process a lot easier. Besure to find out how to keep track of the sale or purchase process, if they havebreaks scheduled that might coincide with your needs and the best ways to contactthem.
5. Local experience
Using a solicitor that is near you makes the process a lot easier and smoother. You can quickly drop off documents or meet if necessary. Also, they will have a full understanding of local arrangements that might be peculiar to that area.
6. Competency
Before settling for a solicitor, you should check if they are competent. It’simportant to know that if a dispute arises, as conveyancing solicitors, do they havethe authority to deal with it in court if need be?
These tips are by no means exhaustive of the points to keep in mind when selectinga solicitor that will work for you but it’s a sure starting point.
Salisbury Law conveyancing solicitors can help.
Contact us at
3 Fiddlebridge Lane,
Hatfield,
Hertfordshire
AL10 0SP
(01707) 244 710
(01707) 240 455
[email protected]