Buying a new home is exciting, whether it is a first-time purchase, a new home for a growing family or an additional property to your portfolio, you will need a conveyancing lawyer to act for you in the process and ensure that the ‘legal title’ to the property passes from the seller to the buyer. Julie Tomasik, director and residential property lawyer at Ansons Solicitors in Cannock, Staffordshire, shares her top five tips to consider when getting a conveyancing quote:

1. What type of conveyancing service are you buying? In today’s market, there are a number of ways to purchase conveyancing services, including online and in call centres. However, the services of these companies differ dramatically from that of a local lawyer, who can offer a personalised service tailored to your needs and is easily accessible.
2. What is included? Make sure you are aware of any hidden costs, disbursements and VAT charges that may arise. For example, legal fees for one firm might appear cheaper on paper, but hidden costs could mean that you end up paying more than you were led to believe in the end.
3. Communication A good conveyancer will make sure that they keep you in the loop during the process and you will no doubt have lots of questions. Good communication works both ways and it is important to clear up any questions you have with your conveyancing lawyer, such as who has access rights. Remember, your lawyer will most likely not have viewed the property, whereas you and the estate agent will have done. If there is anything about the property or the surrounding area that concerns you, tell your lawyer who can raise a query on your behalf.
4. Searches It is also important to ask your lawyer about which types of searches they recommend carrying out on the property you are buying. This is where good local knowledge can be useful, as your lawyer will know which searches are relevant for the area, as well as those that are not, saving you time and money in the process.
5. Listen to recommendations One of the most effective ways to find the right solicitor can be through word of mouth recommendations. Referrals from friends and family can be invaluable and save you a lot of time, money and stress so it can be useful to seek the advice of those who have gone through the process before.

At Ansons Solicitors, we pay no referral fees to estate agents, meaning no hidden costs for our clients and a more transparent service. Our residential property team are qualified property lawyers who specialise in conveyancing law and will be by your side through every stage of the moving process to ensure it is done as smoothly and efficiently as possible. We always ensure that our written estimates outline all of the fees, including any stamp duty land tax payable or search fees. Our in-depth knowledge of the local area means that with Ansons, you will only have to pay for searches that are relevant to the Staffordshire area.

Click here to get a no obligation conveyancing estimate from us today.

For a confidential discussion about conveyancing, contact Julie Tomasik at Ansons Solicitors on 01543 267 988 or email jtomasik@ansons.law.

The contents of this article are for the purposes of general awareness only.  They do not purport to constitute legal or professional advice.  The law may have changed since this article was published.  Readers should not act on the basis of the information included and should take appropriate professional advice upon their own particular circumstances.