How do I choose a solicitor for my property?

 

Buying or selling a property is a significant financial transaction that involves a lot of legal documentation and procedures. To ensure a smooth and successful transaction, it’s essential to have a competent and reliable solicitor by your side. A solicitor is a legal professional who can specialise in property law and can guide you through the legalities of buying or selling a property. However, with so many solicitors out there, how do you choose the right one for your needs?

  1. Look for a specialist in property law

The first thing to consider when choosing a solicitor for the purchase or sale of a property is their area of expertise. Not all solicitors specialise in property law, and you want to find someone who has experience in this area. Look for a solicitor who has a track record of handling property transactions and has a good understanding of property law. The solicitor who recently represented a family member defending a road traffic matter might not always be the best deal with property matters

2. Consider their experience

Experience is an important factor to consider when choosing a solicitor for the purchase or sale of a property. Look for a solicitor who has handled similar transactions in the past and has experience dealing with the specific type of property you’re buying or selling. A solicitor with a proven track record can provide you with valuable guidance and advice throughout the transaction

3. Look for someone who communicates well

Good communication is essential when working with a solicitor for the purchase or sale of a property. You want to find someone who is responsive, proactive, and keeps you informed throughout the process. Look for a solicitor who communicates clearly and concisely and is available to answer your questions and concerns.

4. Consider their fees

Another important factor to consider when choosing a solicitor for the purchase or sale of a property is their fees. Solicitors’ fees can vary widely, and it’s important to understand what you’ll be paying for and how much it will cost. Look for a solicitor who is transparent about their fees and provides you with a clear breakdown of the costs involved.

While the cost of a solicitor’s services is an important factor to consider when choosing a solicitor for the purchase or sale of a property, it should not be the only deciding factor. Picking a solicitor based solely on price can lead to a suboptimal experience, and potentially harm your transaction.

A solicitor who offers significantly lower fees than their competitors may be inexperienced or may cut corners, which can cause problems and delays during the transaction. It’s also essential to be aware of any hidden fees, as these can quickly add up and make the overall cost more expensive.

On the other hand, a solicitor who charges high fees does not necessarily guarantee the best quality of service or expertise. It’s important to consider the solicitor’s experience, credentials, and reputation in addition to their fees.

5. Read reviews and testimonials

Finally, it’s always a good idea to read reviews and testimonials from past clients when choosing a solicitor. Look for a solicitor who has positive reviews and a good reputation in the industry. You can check reviews on the solicitor’s website, Google reviews, or other review platforms.

6. Get recommendations from friends and family

Seeking recommendations from friends or family can be a helpful way to identify potential solicitors for your property transaction. Recommendations from people you know and trust can provide valuable insights into a solicitor’s experience, communication style, and overall quality of service.

When seeking recommendations, it’s important to consider the source of the recommendation. For example, if a friend or family member had a positive experience with a solicitor for a different type of legal matter, they may not necessarily be the best choice for your property transaction.

You should also do your own research and compare the recommended solicitors with other options. Consider factors such as the solicitor’s experience, qualifications, and fees, as well as any reviews or testimonials from past clients.

Ultimately, while seeking recommendations from friends or family can be helpful, it’s important to make your own decision based on your individual needs and circumstances. Choose a solicitor who has the expertise and experience to handle your specific property transaction, and who you feel comfortable working with throughout the process.

Summary

Choosing the right solicitor for the purchase or sale of a property is crucial to ensure a smooth and successful transaction. Consider the solicitor’s area of expertise, qualifications and credentials, experience, communication skills, fees, and reputation when making your decision. With the right solicitor by your side, you can navigate the legal complexities of property transactions with confidence.

Sweeney McHugh Solicitors have a number of experienced Solicitors who deal with property purchases and sales on a daily basis. Please feel free to contact our office for a no obligation quotation on fees or to discuss your next transaction.

At what point do you get a Solicitor when selling a house?

 

At what point do you get a Solicitor when selling a house?

The short answer: it is usually never too early!

One of the typical questions when selling a house is how long will a transaction take after a sale has been agreed. This can be difficult to answer, especially if you are acting on behalf of a purchaser because not all vendors are ready to sell their house despite having put the property on the market.

Sales are delayed in progressing a lot of the time because necessary documents are not readily available. For example if a vendor has an outstanding mortgage against the property being sold then the deeds to the property are typically held by a bank. It varies from bank to bank as to how long it takes for them to release the deeds to a solicitor to facilitate a sale of the property. This can case a delay of between 1-4 weeks in itself.

Further delays can occur after deeds are released to the vendor’s solicitors because the title documents may be incomplete or have elements that require to be updated. It is common to assume that all necessary documents should have been obtained when a property is purchased and be part of that property’s title deeds. However, the requirements for a sale of a property vary due to changes in the law and current practices. Therefore it can occur that a vendor is asked to provide additional or amended documents after the deeds are released by the bank.

 

Ideally therefore if you have decided to sell your house a call through to your solicitor should be made at the same time or even before you make contact with your auctioneer/estate agent.  This would allow the solicitor carry out the necessary preparatory work so that you are hopefully “contract ready” when a sale is agreed for the property.

 

“Contract ready” means that the necessary information has been obtained that would allow a Contract to be sent to a purchaser’s solicitors immediately after a sale is agreed. While every transaction varies, being contract ready should help reduce the time required for the matter to complete.

 

Sweeney McHugh Solicitors are happy to advise a prospective vendor as how best to prepare for a sale of a property to include a full review of title and ancillary documents and to confirm if you are “contract ready” in respect of your property. If you would like assistance in this regard please contact us on 0749521115 or by email on info@sweeneymchugh.ie .

We can provide appointments in person, by telephone or video call where required.

Declan McHugh, Managing Partner.