Conveyancing solicitors handle the legal side of buying/selling a property for their clients. Having one by your side is extremely important, especially if it’s your first time dabbling in real estate. Now, of course, knowing how to choose the right legal expert for your specific needs can be a daunting task. There are many different things you’ll need to consider first, which can all get pretty confusing pretty quickly.
So, in this article, we’ve decided to provide you with a couple of tips to help you find a conveyancing solicitor that will bring you the results you need as quickly as possible.
Without any further ado, let’s get to the bottom of it!
1. Their experience.
Not all conveyancing solicitors have the same levels of experience and expertise. You’ll need someone whose previous work matches your current expectations – someone who has experience with cases like yours. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about their qualifications including the most recent conveyancing cases they’ve worked on! It will give you valuable information that will make your choice much easier, and it only takes a couple of minutes to do so.
Generally speaking, the more experience a conveyancing solicitor has, the faster they’ll get the job done. Having everything resolved on the legal side of things is extremely important when you’re buying or selling a property, so don’t rush into hiring just anyone for the job!
2. Proper communication.
Are they quick to respond to your inquiries? Can they answer all of your questions clearly and in a timely manner? Do you feel you can trust them to finish the job without any mistakes?
Contacting different solicitors is the only way you can ensure they’re professional communicators, something that is extremely important when you’re dealing with legal work. We advise you to call and email different law firms until you’ve found someone whose style of communication suits you the most.
If you feel like the solicitor is being avoidant to your questions, or if they take days to respond to a simple inquiry, perhaps it’s time to look somewhere else.
3. Fees.
One of the most important things you’ll need to consider when looking for a conveyancing solicitor is the fees. No matter what anyone tells you, you don’t need to spend a fortune on legal help just to buy or sell a house. Different firms have different types of fees, all of which mostly depend on your specific needs and circumstances. Make sure you do your research so you know exactly how much money you’ll spend on each and every legal task your solicitor does for you. It will help you make your choice much more easily, especially if you’re working on a tight budget at the current moment.
All in all, one of the first things you’ll need to ask about when contacting different conveyancing solicitors is their fees and rates. Once you learn this information, you’ll be able to compare different firms much more effectively.
4. Recommendations.
If everyone you’ve asked recommends the same conveyancing solicitor to you, it’s a sign they might be what you’re looking for. Don’t hesitate to ask your friends and family (or even strangers on the internet) about their experiences with different law firms. They’ll be able to give you detailed information on every solicitor they’ve worked with, which is something you wouldn’t be able to find by conducting online research.
If you know anyone who’s recently bought or sold a property, do not hesitate to ask for a recommendation. It will save you tons of time, helping you find what you’ve been looking for with ease.
5. Quality above pricing.
Even though you might be tempted to try and save some money when looking for solicitors, we advise you against choosing the cheapest option possible just because of the price. Their experience, knowledge, and skills should come first – no matter the circumstances. You don’t want to risk legal complications just because you were in a rush to save some money. Having a quality conveyancer by your side is an investment worth making.
Law firms such as the Real Big Group that have a team of professionally trained, experienced, and knowledgeable legal experts on their team might have higher prices, but they also bring faster and better results, which makes it all worth it in the end.
6. Rapport.
Even though choosing a conveyance solicitor isn’t the same as choosing a legal representative, the same rules can apply. Your solicitor should be someone you can trust, so deciding not to go with someone just because you don’t like them is perfectly fine.
We advise you to meet your conveyancer before you’ve decided to hire them. E-mail communication is rarely enough to tell you whether you’d like to hire someone or not. Conduct face-to-face interviews before you’ve made the final call.
7. Online reviews and ratings.
Almost every business nowadays has some sort of an online presence, and law firms are by no means an exception. Make sure you do some Googling – look for reviews, ratings, and all other types of feedback to ensure you’re making the right choice.
If there has been any negative feedback from previous clients, take a close look at how the firm responds. In this way, you’ll quickly learn whether their solicitors are worth your time and money or not. This could provide you with crucial information about the solicitor you’ve been interested in hiring, so don’t forget to do it while you’re at it!
The bottom line
Overall, choosing a conveyancing solicitor is not an easy task. There are many things you should consider before making your decision final. However, as long as you do your research and keep asking the right questions, we’re certain you will find exactly what you have been looking for.
We hope our short guide helped you find the best possible solicitor for your specific needs and requirements, and we wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors.