Solicitors manage the legal aspect of buying a property. This includes conducting searches, preparing contracts, liaising with the seller’s solicitor, and ensuring that funds are appropriately transferred. They will also make sure you understand the leasehold or freehold agreements, ensure that the title is clear, and assist you until the sale is completed and you legally own the property.
Make absolutely certain that you are confident with the solicitor you have chosen. Your main choice would be between a lower cost online conveyancer or a more traditional high street conveyancer.
Online conveyancers operate primarily through digital communication and offer lower fees and faster processing because their services are streamlined and tech-driven. High street conveyancers provide a more personalised, face-to-face service, which can be advantageous in complex cases.
While online firms are convenient, high street conveyancers may offer a higher level of individual attention and local expertise (but do expect that many of them still rely on snail mail and email rather than slick on-line interfacrs)
You could consider the solicitors recommended by the agent. Bear in mind that the agent may receive a referral fee so their recommendation may not be in your own best interests. Conversely, remember that agents only receive their commission when the sale has completed, so it is in their interest to recommend a competent, proactive solicitor
If your offer has already been accepted
Ensure that you forward your solicitor’s details to the agent as soon as possible because they will need this information to finalise the Terms of Sale.
If your sale falls through
Most conveyancing solicitors offer a no sale no fee guarantee. This means that they will not charge you the conveyancing fees if your sale falls through for reasons outside your control (e.g. when the seller pulls out, or the home inspection identifies structural problems). This will only apply to the solicitor’s fee, not to the disbursements (the cost of searches, id checks and so forth). Make sure you understand what counts as a failed sale and whether you can switch properties under the same deal.