So, what do solicitors do?

A solicitor or conveyancer handles the legal side of buying a property, they work on your behalf to find out everything you need to know about a home. They run local searches, check boundaries, negotiate key dates and get the contract ready for you to sign.

Key items are as follows:

  • Enquiries and conveyancing searches.
  • Securing your mortgage and house survey.
  • Signing the Contract.
  • Exchange of contracts.
  • Completion
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Is there any difference between a solicitor or conveyancer?

Solicitors and conveyancers both do the same job in the purchase of a house. The difference is that conveyancers are specialist property lawyers, so they deal with buying and selling residential properties were as a Solicitors are qualified lawyers.

What’s the cost to you?

This will all depend on what happens with the purchase, Solicitors can sometimes be more expensive than conveyancers but its worth asking upfront what the cost could be. An average cost could be around £1000 to £2000; however, this could be more if the purchase is very complex.

How long does it take to buy a home?

This is the million-pound question, if it’s just you and the vendor this could be as quick as 3 to 4 months. If you’re in a chain this could take 6 months or more, you are only as good as the weakest link in the chain.

How do I know whose good and whose bad?

Ask for recommendations from friends and family, you will get some horror story’s but this will help with the ones not to go with. Ask the agent, as they will know people who are good and quick because they want to get the sale over the line as quickly as they can.

Do not go cheap, you get what you pay for and if you look to pay a little more you may save more long term as you will not be waiting around to find out how the searches have gone!

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