Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to hire a solicitor or conveyancer who is local to your property when buying or selling.
Conveyancing processes are generally the same across England and Wales and solicitors will manage the transaction through phone calls, emails, and postal correspondence. So, there's no need for in-person visits to their office.
How to instruct a property solicitor
It's a good idea to hire a property solicitor early on, even before making an offer on a property. This ensures that, if your offer is accepted, you can start the conveyancing process for buying a property immediately.
Instead of focusing on locality, it's more beneficial to consider:
The solicitor's fees and how they will bill you (i.e. fixed fees vs. hourly rates);
Their reputation. Either by asking for recommendations from family and friends, or reading online reviews from past clients.
For more tips on this, check out our guide on how to find a trusted solicitor.
When you find a solicitor you think will be a good fit for your conveyancing needs, you should contact them.
At Lawhive, we provide free case evaluations with our legally trained assessment team. This service helps you understand the type of legal assistance you require and can be used to connect you with the most suitable UK property solicitor or conveyancer in our network.
What should I expect after instructing a property solicitor or conveyancer?
When you start working with a property solicitor or conveyancer, they'll first explain their terms of service and send you a contract to sign, outlining costs, scope of work, and other important details.
They'll also verify your identity by requesting a copy of your ID.
When this administrative process is complete, they'll begin the legal process of transferring property ownership from the seller to you, marking the start of an exciting journey!
How will I sign and return documents if my conveyancer isn't local?
When you work with a property solicitor or conveyancer, they'll send documents to you either by email or post. Traditional firms often use prepaid envelopes for returning signed documents, while some may offer online options such as e-signatures.
At Lawhive, our property solicitors and conveyancers handle everything online, so there's no need for you to go to and from the post office or a firm's office to get these tasks done.
Instead, our clients can read, sign, return, and send documents to their solicitor instantly, as well as upload their ID for verification, through our simple, secure online platform.
What are the advantages of using a local conveyancer?
Using a local conveyancer for your property transaction offers certain advantages. However, thanks to advancements in technology and the internet, many of these benefits are no longer exclusive to local solicitors, including:
Familiarity with the local area
One argument for using a local conveyancer is that they are easier to reach and have knowledge of the area, which helps them answer questions promptly, resolve issues, and safeguard your interests.
But imagine having your solicitor right at your fingertips whenever you need them. Working remotely with a conveyancer gives you access to their expertise wherever you are, with no need for face-to-face meetings.
Now, access to information about local areas is not limited to local conveyancers. Their remote counterparts can tap into the vast resources available online to make sure they are well-equipped to handle your transaction, regardless of geographic location.
A conveyancer, regardless of location, will access a property's title information and ownership details from the Land Registry portal.
You may even get a better experience this way, as solicitors without local knowledge are less likely to rely on assumptions and are more likely to conduct thorough research to ensure they have the most up-to-date information about a location and its implications for your transaction.
Face-to-face meetings
Some clients find meeting their solicitor in person helpful, especially if they prefer face-to-face interactions.
But what if you could handle everything from the comfort of your home or work without missing a beat in your busy schedule?
At Lawhive, we encourage our solicitors to meet with clients if they wish, but we also embrace advanced technologies like AI-powered identity checks, making anti-money laundering checks hassle-free, quick, and secure for all involved.
Our conveyancers also use our platform for document exchange, eliminating the chance of anything important getting lost in the post. Instead, with a tap of a button, you can send documents to your solicitor, or ask that burning question that's just come to you.
Local conveyancer vs online conveyancer
In the past, having a local solicitor handle property matters was convenient because of their knowledge of the area and easy access to updates and document drop-offs.
But times have changed. Even if you do hire a local conveyancer, most communication is done over the phone or email for convenience.
What's more, local knowledge doesn't count for much anymore as solicitors have instant access to a wide range of data and resources to help them with their work. Instead, the key is finding a reliable, professional, and efficient conveyancing service, regardless of location.
Nowadays, whether your solicitor is local or not shouldn't be the deciding factor in selecting a legal professional. Expanding your search beyond the local area can lead to finding a solicitor with more expertise relevant to your transaction.
So, when choosing a solicitor or conveyancer, focus less on location and more on finding someone who can handle the job quickly, affordably, and with your best interests in mind.
How can Lawhive help?
Lawhive simplifies legal help by connecting you with expert property solicitors and conveyances online. Our platform streamlines communication and document exchange, making the entire process faster and more convenient. Our network solicitors offer their services for fixed fees, so you are always clear on how much your solicitor's fees will be for buying a house or selling a property.
Contact us today to get started with your free case evaluation.