At a time when many of us use the internet for many aspects of our lives for personal banking, shopping or for a takeaway for example it may seem the obvious way to find someone online to act for you when selling or buying a property, however this may not be the most sensible option when a property is usually the most important and expensive asset that you will own.

Buying or selling a property  is one of the most important transactions that you will make and likely to be the biggest financial commitment you will make especially where there is a mortgage involved so it is important to use someone that you know that you can trust to help you through the complex process.

It is important that you consider the following benefits of instructing a local high street firm of solicitors as opposed to an online firm from outside of the area to help you through the whole process.

• Using a local property lawyer with personal knowledge of the local area is something that could prove to be essential.

• Using a local property lawyer means that it is possible to see someone face to face to discuss any complex aspects of the transaction rather than everything being dealt with online or over the telephone.

• Many of the documents that need to be signed in a property transaction need to be witnessed by someone independent and not related. These can be signed and witnessed at the office of a local solicitors firm rather than having to find an independent witness.  The benefit of this is that this ensures that such documents have been correctly witnessed.

• Online firms very often have a low headline rate for their fees with many add-ons for hidden costs that are added later. Local solicitors fees tend to be more transparent.

• Local solicitors firms are usually recommended by estate agents based on reputation and expertise rather than because the agents are receiving a referral fee from the firm being recommended. If an agent is recommending a particular firm, ask if they have a referral fee arrangement before deciding whether to use the firm recommended by the agents.

• Friends, family, and work colleagues can usually recommend a local firm of solicitors based on their own experiences.

• A local firm will have knowledge of other local professionals that can assist you with the whole process such as local mortgage brokers, surveyors, plumbers, electricians, damp and timber specialists and drainage experts for example.

• A local firm will understand the local property market.

• Local knowledge will mean that a local property lawyer will know exactly what additional searches are required in the area such as tin or clay mining searches that are needed in many parts of the Westcountry.

• With ever increasing money laundering requirements that Lawyers have to comply with rather than sending important documents in the post or by e-mail these can be taken directly to a local solicitors firm thus limiting the risk of these important documents falling into the wrong hands.

• A personal touch. Online conveyancing firms very often handle a large volume of cases by a faceless team of people processing the work. Using a local solicitors firm means that you will know who is dealing with the work for you, you will be able to speak to them and meet them personally.

• You will not need to be an expert with IT if you use a local solicitors firm as they can tailor the process to your needs and abilities whereas online conveyancing firms deal with everything online.

• Local firms of solicitors have a strong working relationship with the local estate agents which can help the whole process.

• Local firms of solicitors have been established in the community for many years unlike many online conveyancing firms.

• Online conveyancing firms often only deal with residential property work whereas local solicitors firms can also help you with other legal matters so that all your legal needs can be dealt with under one roof.

• Very often in a property transaction legal advice is needed in another area, for example if there was a dispute during the conveyancing process or a power of attorney needed to be prepared. This means that by using a local solicitors firm this can be handled in house without having to instruct another firm to assist with that aspect.

• Conveyancers in local high street firms are often more qualified and experienced than conveyancers at online firms.

• By using a local firm you are supporting the local economic community as when you buy your goods and services locally rather than nationally more money is kept in the local community especially as locally owned firms and staff working for those firms often purchase their own goods and services from other local businesses.

This article was prepared by Louise Crockford, an Associate that works in the Property department at WBW’s Launceston office. If you would like to contact her to discuss anything mentioned in this article or for any property related query, please call her on 01566 771102 or email louisecrockford@wbw.co.uk.

WBW has offices in Torquay, Paignton, Newton Abbot, Exeter, Bovey Tracey,  Exmouth,  Honiton,  Sidmouth,  Launceston,  Axminster, Chard and Seaton.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Please note that the law may have changed since this article was published.