homefast point out that it can prove cost-effective to choose services which protect the buyer against hitches in the buying process and can offer advice if things go wrong.
Most buyers give little thought to choosing a conveyancer, although there can be great disparities between the quality of service and costs between different companies. Conveyancing is a vital part of the property buying (or selling) process and should be considered carefully by potential buyers. A good conveyancer can save the home-buyer money and significantly smooth the buying process.
homefast property lawyers has compiled a list of five top tips to find the right conveyancer:
Finding the right conveyancer
1. Look for a specialist. There are an increasing number of specialist conveyancers available. Their experience is likely to reduce the timescales involved in the home-buying process, which can often prove to be a critical issue, especially when a chain is involved. In addition, specialist conveyancers are often structured so a lawyer only completes the aspects of conveyancing that require legal expertise. As only 20% of conveyancing requires a lawyer, the rest is administrative. Most specialist conveyancers have a large number of administrative staff and can therefore reduce costs. Most buyers may not see this as a priority, but in fact it can prove to be one of the most significant ways to save money.
2. Fixed fees. Some conveyancers operate on a fixed fee basis, charging a set rate for the legal work. This helps the buyer to budget more effectively as there is no expectation of additional costs at the end. It should be noted that costs for any additional searches would not be included in this fixed fee as these incur a charge from the Land Registry.
3. ‘No move, no fee’. It is possible to find conveyancers who offer a ‘no move, no fee’ service. This means that, if the sale falls through, the buyer does not have to pay any legal fees. This can be a very useful service particularly when buying in a chain. It can be a financial strain if a transaction falls through and most people do not budget for two sets of legal fees.
4. e-conveyancing. A company using up-to-date technology can not only save time and, therefore, costs, but will also be much more convenient for the customer. On-line case tracking will give the buyer information about the status of their transaction before they contact the conveyancer directly. However, the buyer should check that the facility offers more than just a start date and finish date. The more detail of the process available, the easier it is to understand the actual activity taking place and to track the progress of the case.
5. Personal service. While internet case tracking is an extremely useful tool, a good conveyancing firm will offer a number of communication channels. Emails and text messages are useful for convenience but nothing beats personal service. It is vital that the buyer should be able to speak to someone who knows about their case whenever they need to. If a company offers ‘a dedicated team’ the buyer can expect recognition of their circumstances and do not need to reiterate the same points repeatedly. In addition, many conveyancing firms operate on a basis that means that the buyer does not need to visit the lawyer. With all work being handled by phone, fax, email, post, the internet and even SMS text messaging, the buyer is freed from the need to take time out of their busy schedule to attend the lawyer’s office.
John Brian, director of conveyancing at homefast property lawyers, comments: “In the current housing market environment, the buying process can prove to be expensive, stressful and time-consuming. Buyers are often unaware of the hidden costs of moving, and how much choosing the right provider can save them. A professional, specialist conveyancing firm can reduce both the costs and stress of the moving process. We would recommend that potential buyers investigate their choice of conveyancer carefully to ensure they find a firm that can tick all the right boxes. At homefast, we are confident that we provide a dedicated, cost-effective service that helps smooth the home-buying process for our customers.”
