Does my conveyancing solicitor need to be local?
When purchasing or selling a property, you need a conveyancing solicitor to conduct the behind-the-scenes process to complete the transaction.
Does that conveyancing solicitor need to be local, though? Traditionally, people would go to a solicitor’s office to discuss their property transaction, but times change and processes evolve.
So, should you hire a local conveyancer or is a non-local solicitor perfectly capable of completing your house purchase?
Read on to find out.
What is the difference between local and non-local conveyancing solicitors?
A local conveyancing solicitor requires an office space and enough room to host face-to-face meetings with clients. Typically, their office will be located on a high street so it’s easy to find and anybody in the local area looking to buy or sell a house can walk in when they please.
A non-local conveyancer – or an online conveyancing solicitor – can do the same job as a local conveyancer but without that personal touch. They don’t require a physical office and, as they open themselves up to work nationally – not just locally – tend to take on a lot more cases.
Do I need a local conveyancing solicitor?
No, an online conveyancing solicitor is more than capable of taking care of your property transaction. Across England and Wales, conveyancing largely follows the same set of processes so you can hire a solicitor from anywhere in the country.
Your online conveyancing solicitor can stay in touch with you via phone, email or post and they can email important documents for you to sign electronically.
The lack of a physical office means online conveyancing solicitors can easily work around people’s busy schedules, streamlining the entire process.
Pros and cons of local conveyancing solicitors
Hiring a local conveyancing solicitor brings plenty of benefits but also some drawbacks.
Advantages of hiring a local conveyancing solicitor
Personal touch
Many people prefer having face-to-face meetings with their solicitors instead of faceless interactions via email or over the phone.
For this reason, local conveyancing solicitors are perfect for many – especially first-time buyers who may be wary. Having the ability to walk into an office in the local area also gives individuals the chance to get to know their solicitors before hiring them.
Excellent local knowledge
While conveyancing across Wales and England is generally the same, having that additional local knowledge can be key in many regions.
For example, it is mandatory in the UK for coal mining reports to be ordered in areas with a history of coal mining. A national, online conveyancer may not recognise this as they could be unaware a specific area has this particular history.
Strong relationships with estate agents
Often, your estate agent will recommend a local conveyancing solicitor having had positive feedback from them in the past.
This is beneficial as you won’t have to shop around for a conveyancer and take a punt on one you’ve not heard of before. If your estate agent recommends a conveyancing solicitor, it means they have a good reputation and can be trusted.
However, one thing to remain aware of is that the estate agent may receive a commission for this.
Not overly reliant on technology
An online conveyancing solicitor will, mostly, need technology to communicate with you. This means they’re relying on a third party to conduct the process, while a local conveyancer can do everything in person.
They won’t come unstuck trying to email a large document, if the e-sign page isn’t working correctly, or an online portal has some downtime; they can simply call you into their office.
Disadvantages of hiring a local conveyancing solicitor
Fewer options
With local conveyancing solicitors, there are simply fewer options to choose from compared to online conveyancers who work nationally.
There are a huge number of solicitors around the UK that can conduct your conveyancing process easily and efficiently, without ever meeting you face-to-face.
However, remember to carefully check their social media, website and reviews to ensure they’re reliable.
Higher fees
Local conveyancers may not be the most affordable option for many people. They have a lot more overheads than an online conveyancer, including paying for their physical office and any additional staff.
As a result, they may have to increase their prices compared to an online conveyancing solicitor.
Don’t choose the first conveyancer you come across; shop around and request free quotes to determine the different prices available to you.
Inconvenience
The inconvenience of having to visit a physical office to sign documents or make payments can be enough to put many people off hiring a local conveyancer.
With online conveyancers, everything is done online, including receiving and signing documents and making payments. It works around busy schedules and can easily fit into everyday life. Taking an hour or two off work to attend your conveyancer’s office can be a tad frustrating.
Speak to reliable online conveyancing solicitors
At GD Property Solicitors, we take the hassle and stress out of the conveyancing process.
Our paperless service has been a huge success, with thousands of people around the UK choosing us to conduct the conveyancing process for their property transactions.
We have experience dealing with all different property types, from leasehold and freehold properties to flats and new builds.
If you choose us, we’ll assign you a Nominated Dedicated Conveyancer from the outset that you’ll have direct communication with. We’ll also provide you with access to a top-quality online portal to view and sign documents, make payments and track your progress.
If you’d like to get started with GD Property Solicitors, simply give us a call at 0161 710 1786 or send an email to info@gdlegal.co.uk.