Q: We received one bid on our house today (: j), and necessary to get assigned a lawyer. EA
The asked who we were going to use xyz and I said probably but I still need to get a quote. He said, no problem, he could get one for me and would e-mail as the lawyer I mentioned was their panel.
If Im right I probably get a cheaper quote? EA is probably the one commission for me in contact with the solicitor?
Thanks
How long did it take to complete the full process ?
This firm does seem to crop up quite often with successful results
They did the whole conveyancing including VAT and disbursements for a fixed fee of ￡400!
This was nearly ￡200 cheaper than the quotes I was getting from the estate agents recommended solicitors.
The solicitors I used told me that you have to right to know how much introducer fee or commission that the solicitor is paying the estate agent.
As you can imagine, it wasnt enough for me to hard sell it – if you like the sols, then you might as well use them through the EA- it makes for a smoother transaction in my experience
Ask the solrs that you deal with whether this is the case – and approach them direct.
Of course it may be that the agent was genuinely trying to be helpful – but it is as well to check!
With HIPS coming in, sellers will be faced with little choice of solr if they use the agent to get the HIP – you will be stuck with whoever the agent recommends. If you don't want to be put in that situation, then you need to get your chosen solr arranging the HIP before you approach agents to market the property.
As a conveyancing solicitor I believe the information given in the post to be useful but I accept no liability except to fee-paying clients.
I am sold already so don't need to worry about the HIP.
It is a local solicitors firm and not their in-house ones. I have approached them directly and been told I would get the same rates so i have gone with them.
Ask the solrs that you deal with whether this is the case – and approach them direct.
Of course it may be that the agent was genuinely trying to be helpful – but it is as well to check!
With HIPS coming in, sellers will be faced with little choice of solr if they use the agent to get the HIP – you will be stuck with whoever the agent recommends. If you don't want to be put in that situation, then you need to get your chosen solr arranging the HIP before you approach agents to market the property.
As a conveyancing solicitor I believe the information given in the post to be useful but I accept no liability except to fee-paying clients.
Note this isnt an agent solicitor, but just one they recommended. I wouldnt touch the likes of mann countrywide solicitors or anything!!
I have got a 2nd quote and the difference was about £30 so not really here nor there.
Thanks all
Do try to find someone else and then you won't have that doubt that they may have any loyalties to the EA.
I'm sure they won't (!) but better to remove the risk of it at this stage.
Good luck with it.
D x
We suggest recommendation or use a solicitor you are familiar with! But def get in more than one quote.
Hope you have more success than we did…