Purchasing a property - are all Conveyancers really the same and what is the purchase process really like?

Posted
AuthorLouise Garner

The conveyancing process can be daunting for anyone who is unfamiliar with buying and selling property in England and Wales.

The transfer of the legal title to a property is known as a ‘conveyance’. There are various stages to a conveyancing process depending on whether you are selling or purchasing. For most, the conveyancing process can be a great unknown and as a local firm we really are the friendly face to help you with your biggest investment.

Are all conveyancers really the same?

In an age where we are moving towards a digital era, there are many traditional high street solicitors not able to compete with the fee estimates provided by online conveyancing firms, often referred to as ‘factories’. With a property purchase being probably the largest investment that you will make during your lifetime, property purchasers should ask themselves whether everything really is better done online.

Simply put, the answer is no. There are many benefits to using a local conveyancer and whether you are a seasoned home mover or a first-time buyer you should consider a local conveyancer.

John Hodge Solicitors has built its reputation on strong client relationships. You will know who is handling your transaction, can speak directly to your conveyancer and have peace of mind that your matter is being overseen by a qualified, regulated professional who is accountable to you. We pride ourselves on the quality of the service that we provide and underpinning all that we do is clear and measured communication, as we understand just how important it is that you know what is happening with your matter.

All our conveyancers have extensive knowledge of the local property market which is not always the case with an online firm. Our conveyancers live in or very near to the area in which the office that they work from is based meaning you are always able to meet with your conveyancer and discuss your matter face to face. We know that you value the personal approach and that being able to see the person working for you matters.

What being local also means is that our conveyancers have in-depth knowledge of the area, including planning issues, local authority search nuances and typical title restrictions. It also allows us to establish relationship with local estate agents, mortgage brokers and surveyors, allowing for smoother communication and quicker resolution of queries that may otherwise cause delays.

Our conveyancers act on your behalf to ensure that all aspects of your purchase are dealt with diligently and efficiently.

We provide bespoke estimates which are designed to be transparent and include all the work that we anticipate will be required to complete your sale or purchase.

We do not pay referral fees so you can be assured that we are entirely independently and act solely for you! If you are thinking of purchasing a property, please do not hesitate to contact us.

What will happen during my purchase:-

As a guideline, typically, a conveyance will follow the steps outlined below:

Purchasing a property - are all Conveyancers really the same

At John Hodge Solicitors, we will guide you every step of the way. We are a Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) accredited firm, meaning that all of our conveyancers have the expertise to deliver quality residential conveyancing advice, use standardised processes to manage and reduce risk and are able to educate clients about what to expect when paying for conveyancing advice.

We are also on the lending panels of the majority of High Street lender which means that if you require a mortgage to assist with your purchase, we can act for them as well as you.

We also specialise in:

Next Steps: Get in touch

If you would like to discuss your Conveyancing matter then please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of legal experts at John Hodge Solicitors, conveniently located throughout the South West, with offices in Bridgwater, Bristol, Clevedon, Wedmore, Weston-super-Mare and Yatton.

You can contact us either: