How to choose a conveyancing solicitor

When you are buying or selling a property, it is important to choose the right conveyancer. Using an experienced solicitor is the single most important factor in achieving prompt and smooth completion.

We look at how to choose a conveyancing solicitor, and how Lockings Solicitors works to maintain the excellent reputation we have for a quick turnaround time.

Our conveyancing solicitors are highly experienced and we always aim to move a purchase forward effectively, reaching the exchange of contracts promptly. We are also known for the excellent service we provide, and if you ask us to represent you, we will ensure that you are kept up to date with the progress of your transaction throughout your time with us.

We are accredited by the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme and are highly rated by our clients, with 98% of those questioned saying they would refer us to their friends and families.

If you are wondering how to choose a conveyancing solicitor, call us today. We offer a FREE initial chat so that you can ask us any questions you may have about buying or selling a property.

Call us on 01482 300 200, email us at welcome@lockings.co.uk or fill in our Free Online Enquiry and we will call you back promptly. We have offices in Beverley, Hull and York and represent clients across the country in freehold sales and purchases. We also deal with leasehold sales and purchases and newbuild purchases for local properties.

How to choose a good conveyancing solicitor

Check they are experienced and independently accredited

It is crucial to find a firm with the proficiency to handle complications. Should your sale or purchase run into problems, the expertise of your conveyancer will be critical. At Lockings, we are highly experienced, we know how to tackle a full range of legal difficulties and will do so promptly, reducing the risk that someone in the chain pulls out because of delays.

You should also check for independent accreditation. We hold the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme award, which recognises the high standards we meet in the provision of legal advice, risk management and client care.

Check they are approved by your lender

If you are buying a property with a mortgage, it is important to choose a solicitor who is on your lender’s panel of authorised conveyancers. Should your conveyancer not be approved by your lender, you might have to switch to another law firm during the transaction or pay for your lender to use their own legal team. Both of these options are likely to cause delays and extra expense.

At Lockings Solicitors, we are on the approved panels of all main mortgage lenders. This means that we can represent them at the same time as we represent you, meaning a seamless transaction.

Ask for a quote that includes all potential costs

Your chosen conveyancing firm should be happy to provide a comprehensive quote that includes their legal costs as well as any extra fees, for example, for dealing with a gifted deposit or handling a more complex transaction, such as buying a newbuild property or a flat. The breakdown should also include expenses such as search fees and Stamp Duty, so that you have a clear figure of exactly how much the purchase will cost in total.

At Lockings Solicitors, our services are great value for money, and we can provide you with a no-obligation conveyancing quote that will set out all of the expenses you will incur. Simply give us a call, and we will be happy to go through everything with you.

Check that they will provide updates and clear advice

Conveyancing can be stressful, and you will need to have a clear idea of what stage has been reached and what is due to happen next so that you can make plans for moving day and ensure you have funds ready when needed. Try to choose a conveyancer with a reputation for keeping in contact with clients, so that you will have a clear picture of what is happening in your transaction.

Check their record on the time taken to complete a transaction

Finding a conveyancer with a reputation for dealing with matters promptly can be vital. Delays might not only mean you wait longer to move house; they could cause a transaction to fall through if someone in the chain decides they are no longer prepared to wait.

Avoid cheap online firms that seem too good to be true

Some businesses aim to offer a cheap service by requiring staff to run a high number of cases. This is a false economy as there is a high likelihood of hold-ups, they are likely to struggle to deal with complex issues, and you may find that you cannot easily speak to anyone. They may also make up their fees by adding in extras at a later date.

At Lockings Solicitors, you will have a dedicated and experienced conveyancer to represent you, and we will always make sure that you have frequent updates on progress. In addition, we will let you know if anything unexpected arises and ensure that we are easy to contact, should you want to speak to us. If you need us to ring you, we will always do so promptly.

Look for a firm that is happy to have a conversation upfront and answer your questions

A good conveyancing firm should be prepared to talk to you from the outset and provide you with information that you need to help you make the right choice.

We offer a free initial chat so that you can ask us any questions you may have and discuss the conveyancing process.

Why choose Lockings Solicitors for your house purchase?

We can move you faster

The conveyancing process can be lengthy, but we always take all possible steps to move a transaction forward without hold-ups. We will keep in contact with your seller’s solicitor, ensuring they are chasing any outstanding information, and we will let you know at once if there is anything we require from you.

If you are tying in a sale, we will respond promptly to enquiries received from your buyer’s solicitor, and keep the pressure on them to ensure they are also progressing matters effectively. Working in this way helps to avoid the situation where another party is not taking the steps needed to reach the exchange of contracts.

We have the legal expertise needed to resolve problems

If a legal issue arises with your purchase, we have the experience to handle it, and we will do so promptly. Legal problems can often delay a transaction if a conveyancer is not sure how to resolve them. By choosing us, you can be sure that your solicitor will have the expertise to deal with any complications and that it will be done proactively.

We are approved by all major high street lenders

Using a solicitor on the your lender’s approved solicitor panel means that your transaction will be faster. If you ask us to represent you, pass our details to your bank or building society and they will be able to send us your mortgage offer as soon as it is issued.

We can represent them in the purchase, at the same time as representing you. They will need a range of information from us, along with a certificate that we will sign confirming that your property meets their requirements in respect of issues such as a sound legal title and acceptable search results. They will then be able to send your mortgage advance directly to us on the day of completion.

Our advice and guidance is clearly explained

Property law is not always straightforward, and we will always take the time to explain matters in plain English, avoiding legal jargon. We will answer your questions and make sure that you understand any issues clearly so that you can make informed decisions where necessary.

We have a simple onboarding process

If you would like to instruct us to deal with your purchase, give us a call and we will be pleased to get the ball rolling. Our onboarding process is simple, and we have a secure online portal that you can use to let us have your identity documentation and other necessary information.

We are focused on sustainability and diversity

As a firm, we regularly review our sustainability and diversity and keep working to improve in these important areas.

Tying in a sale

If you are also selling a property, we can tie this in with your purchase. It can be helpful to contact us early on, even before you have a buyer in place, so that we can let you have the forms you will need to fill in. There is a lengthy property information form, and you will probably have to find certain paperwork to accompany this, such as guarantees if you have new windows, or planning consents and building regulations approvals if alterations have been made to the property. There is also a fixtures and fittings list to complete, listing exactly what you will be leaving at the property.

By filling in the forms now, we will be able to issue the contract package quickly once you find a buyer. Getting a prompt start like this can reduce the time taken to reach readiness for the exchange of contracts.

Contact our experienced conveyancing solicitors

If you are wondering how to choose a good conveyancing solicitor, we will be happy to hear from you.

You can ring us for a FREE initial chat on 01482 300 200, email us at welcome@lockings.co.uk or fill in our Free Online Enquiry and we will call you back promptly. We have offices in Beverley, Hull and York and represent clients across the East Yorkshire and York area and beyond.