Nearly every person who buys or sells property in the UK will contact a conveyancer at some point to complete the sale. In recent years, the popularity of online conveyancing services has increased tremendously. Still, many people are still confused between online and traditional conveyancing--which is the best route to take?
What is Online Conveyancing
Online conveyancing is when a party completes all the necessary transactions online. This includes the payment of fees and all communication with the conveyancer.
The main advantage of online conveyancing is that it's much quicker than traditional conveyancing. You won't have to physically go to your conveyancer to complete any paperwork or make any payment on your behalf.
Instead, you'll be able to do everything online, and your conveyancer will inform you of any matters that require your attention. Most of the time, you only have to deal with your conveyancer when you want to communicate with them.
Online conveyancing is also more cost-efficient than traditional conveyancing. The fee is usually charged per transaction rather than per hour, so you don't have to worry about paying for unnecessary time spent on your case by your conveyancer.
How Much Does Online Conveyancing Cost?
Online conveyancing is cheaper than traditional conveyancing for a couple of reasons. The main reason is that the fee is charged per transaction instead of an hourly rate.
Secondly, the whole process is digital, which means that there's no need for your conveyancer to spend time and money travelling to wherever you are. This is a huge cost-saver.
What is Traditional Conveyancing?
Traditional conveyancing is when a party goes to their conveyancer, either in the same office or in a nearby office, to complete any paperwork or pay any fees. This can be a contentious issue, as some conveyancers will charge you by the hour to complete your paperwork.
A traditional conveyancing firm will usually require that you pay some or all of the fees upfront. This can be a plus, as you'll know how much money you'll need to pay, but this can also be negative if the fees are high or you don't have enough money. In this scenario, many firms will require you to pay a fixed fee upfront so you don't end up paying for unnecessary time.
Traditional conveyancing also means you may have to take time off work or wait in a solicitors' office to complete any paperwork. This is one of the biggest negatives of traditional conveyancing.
In the age where we have so many online services, it's no surprise that online conveyancing is proving to be more popular.
Is Online Conveyancing Right for You?
Online conveyancing can be a good idea if you think it'll be beneficial for you. If you're looking to sell or buy a property and you're concerned about time, it can be a good idea to use an online conveyancing service.
There are a few things you need to consider before you hire an online conveyancer:
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Check Reviews
First, you'll need to check reviews of different online conveyancing services to see what others have said about their experiences. Look at the different online reviews and see if the firm you're interested in has a good rating. It's also good to check reviews on the solicitor's website to see what people have said.
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Determine the Level of Support You Need
Next, you'll need to determine the level of support you need. The most expensive online conveyancing services will have solicitors available 24/7 if you need any help. But, if you only need help with certain aspects of your conveyancing, you can opt for a cheaper service that only has solicitors available during business hours.
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Consider Your Time Constraints
Additionally, you'll need to consider your time constraints. If you're looking to get your property sold or purchased quickly and don't want to spend a lot of time dealing with conveyancing, it can be good to go with an online service and plan things out with your conveyancer.
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Ensure the Online Conveyancer Has Local Knowledge
At the same time, you'll need to ensure that the online conveyancer has local knowledge. It's a good idea to check whether they're a local firm or if they're a national firm.
Some firms can do conveyancing for property all over the country, while others are only able to do conveyancing in certain areas.
Additionally, when you're looking for an online conveyancer, you'll need to check if the online conveyancer can complete conveyancing for the type of property you're selling or buying. For example, the online conveyancer may only be able to do conveyancing for houses and not flats.
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Check If Insurance is Covered
When you're checking reviews and doing your due diligence on the online conveyancer, you'll need to check whether the insurance on the conveyancing is covered. You'll want to ensure that you, as the purchaser or seller, are protected if something goes wrong. For example, if the buyer/seller doesn't complete the transaction or defaults on their commitment, you need to ensure that you're covered in the event that happens.
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Compare Fees
Additionally, you'll want to compare the fees of different services. The cheapest may not actually be the best, as you'll need to factor in the level of support you need and the level of convenience you have. Of course, you'll also need to consider the level of knowledge of your conveyancer, particularly if you're not a legal professional.
Is Online Conveyancing Faster?
Generally speaking, online conveyancing is faster than traditional conveyancing. This is because you won't have to physically travel to a firm to complete any paperwork or pay any fees. You'll be able to do everything online or through the post with some companies.
How Does Online Conveyancing Work?
Online conveyancing, generally speaking, is much like traditional conveyancing, with a few added benefits. To start, your conveyancer will compile a conveyancing file for you, which will include all the details of the property you're buying or selling. The legal fee will then be determined.
After the fee is paid, the conveyancer will take care of all the necessary documents and complete the sale or purchase. Your conveyancer will then contact you when there's something you need to be aware of.
The Bottomline
All in all, online conveyancing can be a good idea if you're looking for a more convenient and cost-effective way to get your conveyancing done. It can save you money and time. However, make sure that you understand what you're getting yourself into before signing up with an online conveyancer.
Get the best value in conveyancing here at Conveyancing Calculator. We offer instant online residential conveyancing quotations in the UK. Additionally, we are fully regulated and all our conveyancing quotes are provided by SRA Regulated Solicitors and Licensed Conveyancers. Get started now.
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