Skip to content

Finding your dream home is thrilling but before you start choosing the new curtains, there’s a whole host of paperwork to get through.

Although searching for your perfect home can take a while, it’s the paperwork afterwards which most people find frustrating.

Buying a home is the biggest expense you’ll ever encounter and it’s vital to ensure everything is legally correct before signing on the dotted line, so spend some time finding the best professional to guide you through the process.

One of the people you’ll need to complete the deal is a solicitor or conveyancer who will draw up the paperwork to legally transfer the property from the seller to the buyer. They will handle contracts, give legal advice, check local council searches and the Land Registry and transfer the funds to pay for your property.

While solicitors are qualified in the law overall, a conveyencer specialisies in property. If there are any complex legal issues around the sale, it’s worth employing a solicitor but they are usually more expensive.

If you decide on a conveyancer, first check they are members of the Council for Licensed Conveyances.

Secondly, find out how they will charge you. They may charge a fixed fee, an hourly rate or a percentage of the property price. Make sure their quote breaks down all the costs, including VAT.

While fees are obviously important, think about what else is vital. Online conveyancing can be cheaper and if you’re dealing with a call centre, chances are you’ll be able to speak to someone out of office hours.

But you may prefer meeting someone face to face, dealing with the same person each time and talking to someone who knows the local area. Location can also be important as you’ll probably need to call by to sign or drop off documents, so choosing someone near your home or work could be handy.

There’s a lot to consider but finding someone who meets your requirements can make a lengthy process much easier to handle.