Conveyancing service, are they all the same?

It still amazes me how little value people put on conveyancing transactions. It is a huge transaction and the deposit is often more than a yearly salary.

 

Getting the job done, keeping things moving and buyers informed, moving mountains, surmounting obstacles, doing what it takes...There's a lot that goes on behind the scenes with property transactions and I can tell you, it's never dull. I have worked with a number of solicitors on deals and they're a cut above in every way - customer interaction, dealing with surprises, negotiating with lenders, banks, agents - you name it!

Who needs a website when 99% of your business is word of mouth?

Not enough

If you're curious, drop them a line. [email protected]

 

I have had the worst experience with those that charged the most, sometimes from staff that had experience, sometimes with someone new, I used one once that was recommended in the old forum and she was a disaster, she also was not cheap, not over the top either. But it ended up being expensive.

The best I have ever used was also the cheapest, guy was a grump, but all over it , he seems to be out of it now, but he was under 600 bucks 10 years ago !

 

For my first property back in 2003, I paid $550 for conveyancing services provided by a solicitor in Chinatown. Went into this office and there were stacks of contracts on the floor, desk and everywhere. For half an hour, he couldn't find my contract. Oh he was late for my appointment, over an hour because he had to do a plea in the local court. Cheap fees mean high volume.

When I sold it and bought a second one, I paid a conveyancer who worked from home for similar fees but he was good even though not much interaction.

In recent times, my business partner had to "teach" or "correct" other solicitors/conveyancers who charged their cheaply (we know) but they had no idea whatsoever.

sure, lower fees are good but these operators will have a lot of volume which they can't handle and can easily make errors.

Hope you'll find a good one and keep him or her.

 

Re the first part, being able to not just do everything as black and white or by the book and negotiate is worthwhile.

Re website, well it would not bother me, but would not look good if broken, indeed no website at all would be better !

 

My first place was in late 80's / early 90's, one thing I Remember clearly is this so called friend doing it cheap for us was the dearest of them all ! (and why I started paying attention to this).

I have had much dealing with solicitors in conveyancing and other matters, my conclusion of you cannot go on money alone is pretty sound, not all cheaper places are flooded with work. I too have had to baby some of them, the biggest problem is staff move and change.

I have a place I use, not expensive by any means, however they have varying staff with varying experience, the main problem is if they are not good at negotiating when your trying to sort out issues initially, unfortunately you do not find this out till is too late, prior staff I had was fantastic at this. It does also depend to a degree on the other side too, of course.

 

That is true. Just last week, a solicitor refused to admit he received our settlement sheet by fax, blaming us for late settlement and guess what, we retrieved the outgoing fax records and slammed him hard. Obviously, he's buying time.

 

For my last sale in Melbourne, I didn't pick a cheap and cheery conveyancer because they were cheap, I hired them because I knew they would get the job done right and on time. When I bought that property, I hired an expensive specialist property solicitor who prepared the paperwork incorrectly, was slow and delayed settlement through their incompetence. I was charged penalty interest because my solicitor acted unprofessionally and on top of that I got charged a rework fee for the paperwork they prepared incorrectly against my instructions. I really didn't want to go through that again. No thanks. I had zero issues with the conveyancer. You don't always get what you pay for.

 

Hi @Peter_Tersteeg ,

I am planning to buy an IP in suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, would you be able to suggest some conveyancing firms or solicitors?


Thanks.

 

I used Redline from the Gold Coast. Been happy with their services with my two IPs in Ipswich

 

Pam Sell
Phillips & Wilkins Solicitors
03 9480 1155
[email protected]

 

Bundle of thanks @Peter_Tersteeg

 

Hi all,

I am having a contract sent to me tomorrow for a NSW central coast property. Any suggestions?

John

 

QLD:
1/ Certus legal: $1560 value package
2/ Gustafson Franke Lawyers: $1100 + GST + $650 to $750 search
3/ Redline seems to be a surveyor and not a conceyancer !!!!
4/ the lawyer who organised my last conveyancing: I was about to lose the contract, etc and no excuse.

The conveyancing seems to be higher in Qld than NSW

 

How about OWNit Conveyancing in Qld ?

 

It is important to use a solicitor as things can go wrong. I had a client this week who purchased a property subject to probate being granted. There were some misrepresentations made by the agent and he had to get some legal advice relating to the competition and consumer law and the law of estates - not something a conveyancer could advise on or even have an idea about.

Of course he could have used a conveyancer and then sought legal advice elsewhere on this problem but was helpful and convenient and cheaper to use the same lawyer who was familar with the matter from the beginning.

 

I also do as Terry suggests, things can pop up, best if there is already a solicitor on the case & often it costs no extra for general purchase/sale.

 

My lawyer was a disaster. 6 months later I even heard of the council giving me a report for a search he did not do (catchment). The figure he gave me to bring to the bank for the bank cheque was wrong, I had a few minutes to go back to him before the bank closed, He did not disclose all his fees in advance, but later in a document. ....etc. Apparently, quoting him ' I never lose a case' !
But I get your points

 

I also used a property solicitor once. Never again. It was costly disaster too. Last time I sold in Melbourne I used a specialist Conveyancer that has a solicitor they work with if needed. In Perth, I have a brilliant conveyancer. She got me through the last deal with no issues even though it was extremely complicated and protracted.

I would have no issues getting legal advice if I need it but I wouldn't go to my solicitor for conveyancing advice or to my conveyancer for legal advice. Just my opinion. I do what works for me. I know many will disagree.

 

I have had a range of solicitors and those that are conveyancers, and can get bad, good average or disaster types as well.

But I do believe it is preferable to have at least a solicitor in house, but, it is no guarantee there will be a faultless performance.