Choosing Your Conveyancer - By Kam Vara

Date Published 12 November 2013

Buying a home can be an exciting prospect, but without the help of a solicitor it can also be a legal minefield. When buying your home you must ensure you are obtaining a 'good' title to the property. In particular that the seller is the owner of the property, has the right to sell the property, and that there is no factor that would prevent the property from being mortgaged or re-sold at a later date.
When choosing a conveyancer (either a solicitor or a licensed conveyancer) it is important to give consideration in choosing the right conveyancer for you, and not to base your decision entirely on the fee you may have been quoted. In particular the factors to take into account are:
• You must ensure the conveyancer you choose is regulated and insured. By choosing a conveyancer that is a member of the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme you can be sure that your solicitor meets the high standards set by the Law Society.

• Do not base your selection of a conveyancer purely on the conveyancer that quotes the cheapest fee. Many online conveyancing firms will lure you in with very cheap conveyancing, only to hit you later with 'unforeseen' extra charges and disbursements. Surely it is worth paying a little bit extra, just for the peace of mind that the conveyancing is being handled by people who really know how to get the job done!

• Will the conveyancer provide you with guidance and support throughout the transaction, as well as taking a proactive role in getting the transaction completed.
I hope the above helps you to make an informed decision when choosing a solicitor. Happy home hunting!
Kam Vara is a Consultant Solicitor at WT Law LLP (01327 226500) with over 15 years' experience specialising in residential and commercial conveyancing, and is locally based covering South Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire.