Is it better to use a local solicitor for conveyancing?

Using a solicitor who is local to you, or local to the property that you are buying or selling, is always likely to be a better option for you than using a large national provider. 

If you use an experienced local solicitor for your conveyancing, they will have an existing relationship with the estate agents handling your sale or purchase, they will be familiar with the local area and the local authority who will carry out your searches, and if they have been established for a long time, they may even have bought or sold your property before. 

Local solicitors may not always be cheaper than the larger outfits, but you are likely to get a better service. One of the main issues that people have when buying and selling property, is being updated about what is going on. If you know that you can pick up the phone to your conveyancing solicitor, or walk into their office to ask for updates, it will give you more peace of mind. 

In any conveyancing transaction, you will need to send precious and confidential documents to your conveyancing solicitor. Clearly this is far easier and more secure if you can simply drop the documents to their offices. 

Local conveyancing solicitors are much more likely to be just that - qualified solicitors. In large conveyancing farms, your case will probably be dealt with by a paralegal, who would not necessarily have any legal qualifications at all. In a local firm, your conveyancing lawyer is very unlikely to be unqualified. 

Solicitor's firms are like any other business - if they provide a good, cost efficient service to clients, they will come highly recommended within their local communities and their businesses will be around for many years. 

A local conveyancing solicitor many not necessarily be the cheapest option, but there are many benefits to using a local conveyancing solicitor:

• they know the local area;
• they know the local authority;
• having an existing relationship with local estate agents;
• knowing the property you are buying or selling;
• being available by telephone and in person; and
• coming recommended by your friends and family.

These benefits outweigh the very small costs savings you are likely to make if you entrust your conveyancing to a large and impersonal national provider. 

Buying a house is likely to be the biggest investment of your life. In our view, local knowledge, experience and service is always going to give you more peace of mind at what could be a stressful time. 

At Samuels Solicitors, we have offices in North and South Devon, based in Barnstaple and Kingsbridge. We therefore have excellent knowledge of property throughout the whole of Devon and can help you with any of your conveyancing needs.

If you need to find a reliable conveyancing solicitor in Devon, we can help. Contact us today to speak to someone who will be able to provide you with a quick and competitive quote.