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A fifth of home-movers regret choosing their agent or conveyancer - claim

Almost a fifth of home-movers would choose a different conveyancing firm or estate agent for their next property purchase, research claims.

The latest Home Movers Report from conveyancing technology provider Smoove reveals sentiment among thousands of people who have recently moved home.

The report found that 19% would look elsewhere for a conveyancing firm or agent for their next move.

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No reason was provided for why clients were unhappy with their conveyancer or agent.

But the report highlights costs, quality and length of time to complete the move as the top three considerations in the moving and conveyancing process.

Overall, most homeowners said they were satisfied with their conveyancing firm, with 61% reporting that they would recommend the firm to friends and family. 

A third of homeowners relied on a friend or family recommendation for finding a solicitor, with 31% using an agent referral and 23% going by what their mortgage broker recommends.

Complex legal terminology and the added inefficiencies of large quantities of paperwork are highlighted in the report as a source of stress for many aiming to proceed quickly with their purchase. 

Conveyancers are receiving four queries per instruction on average, according to the report, with the legal process of the transaction taking eight to 12 weeks on average.

The report cites this as an “obvious reason” why nine in ten homeowners reported that they found the home moving experience stressful.

Jesper With-Fogstrup, chief executive of Smoove, said: “All participants in the home moving market are affected by the old fashioned and analogue nature of the process. 

“Embattled estate agents try to juggle multiple parties via phone calls and emails, managing expectations, attempting to keep all parties happy and on schedule.

“Solicitors must deal with their counterparties and clients, going back and forth on details relating to obscure questions about the home they’re selling, not to mention organising and managing the searches, and other due diligence, and dealing with the mortgage provider. 

“Most of this is manual and time consuming, with limited automation making the room for error significant.

“It is time to revolutionise home moving and bring it into the 21st century. It is time for smooth and efficient property transactions.”

  • Mark Wilson

    Complex legal terminology and the added inefficiencies of large quantities of paperwork are highlighted in the report as a source of stress for many aiming to proceed quickly with their purchase. Does that mean buyers actually need to read something? I am sure those who bought leases with doubling 10 years ground rents kick themselves for having not.

  • David Clark

    Where did the stat of '8 - 12 weeks' come from. Certainly not our experience at the moment!

  • Richard Copus

    81% of people are happy with their estate agent or conveyancer. Sounds quite good to me.

  • Matt Faizey

    Unless you can see the questions, have details of the demographic, and knowledge of where in the proceedings each was asked it's worthless

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