We're first time buyers and might nearly be at the point where our offer is accepted (waiting with baited breath!). So it's time to start thinking about a solictor. Any recommendations anyone has would be a big help (on the flip side, feel free to mention those to avoid too!)

Thanks
Nick

I forgot to mention, if this has already been raised before, apologies. I had a quick look but couldn't see anything. If I've missed an earlier thread, happy to read it if someone could post the link.

for some unbeknown reason, the enormous thread on this subject has either disappeared, or is hiding from the search facility - I'll have to investigate further ;)

in the mean time, try 'search' 'go advanced', then put 'conveyancing' in keywords, and click the dropdown to only search titles rather than full posts ;)

I've tried a manual search for it and it's missing :huh:

hackett windle - townhead street.
or hackettwinde.com

Pauline Coates solicitors - Mosborough High Street.

Excellent service (used her on four separate occasions) - In the last megathread - my recommendation was supported by numerous other forum users too.

Efficient, personal service.

Coates Solicitors....I'm using them presently and they r really good and cheaper than others too

personally,i would stay away from hackett windle.....had a very very bad experience from them

Coates Solicitors....I'm using them presently and they r really good and cheaper than others too

personally,i would stay away from hackett windle.....had a very very bad experience from them

you're probably the only one who has from my records anyway

Thanks everyone for the advice, found out yesterday that after they orginally rejected our offer they will now accept it! We've got the house!

We had a good experience with Hackett WIndle in Oct 06 - I found it helpful that they would respond to email which made checking documents much quicker than just replying on the post.

Wake Smith were very good.

My pal's using a local solicitor named above, and although he's got a good price he's no idea what's happening. No communication about how his matter's going, and they don't seem to want to investigate that the neighbour appears to have built over the boundary.

I use Toefields in Dronfield , always a pleasure and reasonable too.

wake smth - 0114 2666660

We use toefields too, we've put a lot of business their way

A word of advice... certain mortgage lenders don't like it if you use small solicitors practices with one partner (as a very local solicitor named above is). The practive contracts out some of the work to get past this loophole to another city firm! So they're not necessarily paying all their attention to your matter!

Also, I'd like to point out that you reallly do get what you pay for with conveyancing solicitors. My pal has had to call Haybrooks to find out information on his purchase! They were the ones who told him that the sellers had sent to contracts to his solicitors. Small practice named above denied they had them. Poor pal had to make an appointment to see them for progress to get their shop for them to say 'I can't advise you, I'm not a solicitor."

A word of advice... certain mortgage lenders don't like it if you use small solicitors practices with one partner (as a very local solicitor named above is). The practive contracts out some of the work to get past this loophole to another city firm! So they're not necessarily paying all their attention to your matter!

Also, I'd like to point out that you reallly do get what you pay for with conveyancing solicitors. My pal has had to call Haybrooks to find out information on his purchase! They were the ones who told him that the sellers had sent to contracts to his solicitors. Small practice named above denied they had them. Poor pal had to make an appointment to see them for progress to get their shop for them to say 'I can't advise you, I'm not a solicitor."
You do not know what you are talking about looby hitch. The work is not contracted out to other solicitors all that happens is the drawing down of mortgage funds from the firm which if anything means that more attention can be paid to that particular matter!!

Also quite rightly, if the person was not a solicitor they could not advise as one as that would be bad practice.

Burton Burton Ho leeds - did 2 house sales in 5 weeks - they chase everyone daily and they are really **** hot and on the ball

www.bbho.co.uk

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice. We decided to go with Tofields in the end. Good price and the recommendation here helped, cheers.

Bell and Buxton, Telegraph House. Perfect

Nooooooooo, don't recomend Toefields at all, bad experiance, they held our chain up for weeks, they don't like talking to other solicitors in the chain.
Being the first time buyers solicitor they tried to blame the other solicitors for holding the chain up, but what the didn't know - we were all talking to each other and knew the truth. . . . :(