If you’re looking to buy a property or have just accepted an offer on your house, then you’ll face a series of very difficult choices. You’re going to have to appoint someone to oversee the sale or purchase of your property, so you’ll need to decide who is going to deal with the property conveyance, and you’ll also want to know who is best-placed to deal with the transaction quickly and efficiently? So, what choices are available to you?
Well, you could put the conveyance in the hands of one of the many online legal firms. They’ll be more than happy to deal with the property conveyance, and will probably be able to offer you a very competitive price. Unfortunately, whilst we don’t like to be the bearer of bad news, it’s only right that we should tell you that that favourable price comes at a cost: a lack of both local knowledge and experience and face-to-face interaction. The other alternative open to you is to go with your gut feeling and to shop locally. Whatever choice you make, the important question to ask yourself is who will offer the best level of service and professionalism?
As far as Harold Stock is concerned, we would always recommend following your gut feeling and shopping locally. Why do we think this is the preferred option? Well, it’s simply because we’re specialists in this area and have been dealing with domestic conveyancing for years. What’s more, whilst internet conveyancers may be able to offer cheap prices, they can’t deal with you face-to-face and often fail to deliver in terms of pure personalised service.
So for Harold Stock, the solution is simple: shop local for value and quality of service. Buying or selling a property is the probably the most important purchase you will probably ever make, so it’s vital to put the administration of that sale or purchase in the hands of someone you trust. Could you comfortably trust someone you only interact with online to deal with this vitally important purchase, or would you rather deal with a local firm of solicitors with specialised local knowledge? We think we already know the answer to that question, but if you want additional reassurance consider these three points:
Local experience
When you use a local specialist firm of conveyancing solicitors, you’ll know that not only will they have had years of experience in dealing with legal matters in your area: they’ll also know the market thoroughly and will have had dealings with all the local estate agents in the area. That sort of specialised ‘local’ knowledge is priceless, and it’s definitely something you’ll never get from an internet conveyancer, no matter how proficient or highly qualified he or she might be.
Personalised face-to-face communication
Many property transactions can be fraught with difficulties. If there are complications or unforeseen problems, you, as a buyer or seller, will want to be kept informed of these at every stage of the conveyancing process. It makes sense, therefore, to use the services of a local specialist conveyancing solicitor. You’ll be able to deal with your conveyancer face-to-face, they’ll speak plainly and, as they are personally accountable, they can be trusted to keep their promises.
A local firm of conveyancing solicitors will go that extra mile to ensure your complete satisfaction: after all, their reputation depends on your satisfaction. So, they’ll regularly keep in touch with you, return your phone calls and provide a fast, efficient and effective service. How do you know your local solicitor is any more trustworthy or more efficient than their internet competitors? Well, you’ll know because they’ll have a list of clients who return to them time and again for these very same services.
What you see is what you get
The problem with buying any service online is that you don’t always get to know how much you’ll end up paying for your conveyance until it’s too late to back out. When you deal with a specialist local conveyancer, you’ll know that the price quoted will be correct and will take into account the costs of local searches, Land Registry fees and other disbursements. With a local solicitor what you see is what you get. Some internet firms may initially charge a very competitive upfront price, but, like many budget airlines, they’ll then add on all sorts of extras once the conveyance is completed; extras like a lender’s legal fee, a stamp duty land transaction return fee and an early completion fee.
So, if you thinking of buying or selling a property, remember it always pays to think local. For further information about our domestic conveyancing services, or for more information about the other services our property team are able to offer, call Harold Stock & Co on 0330 400 4040 or email info@haroldstsock.com
