You’ve secured your mortgage and gotten an offer on a home – now it’s time to choose a mover. Kelly Steele explains what a mover does, when to hire one, and how to find the right mover
1. What is the function of a conveyancer in the home buying and selling process?
A conveyancer (or conveyancing lawyer) is a legal professional who specializes in the legal and administrative work necessary to transfer ownership of a property from seller to buyer.
Their primary role is to act in your best interests, ensure that the transaction is legally sound, and handle complex documentation to prevent future disputes.
It should keep you fully informed throughout the process so you understand what has been done, what still needs to be done, why these things are important to you and the transaction as a whole and approximate timelines (where possible).
2. At what point in the process should you hire your own mover?
The conveyancer can be directed at any time, even before a property is found. The carrier will need to carry out identity checks on all its customers and possibly any guarantors, gift givers etc. If they are acting on behalf of buyers, there will be source of funds checks to carry out.
When acting for vendors, it is useful to check the property’s title for potential issues (eg tile restrictions that need to be adhered to, management packages from landlords/management agents that need to apply for, missing documents that need to be addressed).
All of this may take some time, so the sooner you hire a carrier, the better. It is the conveyancer’s duty to be transparent about fees and can provide you with a full quote before finding a property to buy if they know your price bracket.
3. How do you find the carrier that is best for you?
It would be a good idea to look at local companies who will know the area you are purchasing as well as looking at the reviews they have online.
It may also be more profitable for the customer to compare quotes from local businesses in their area, although this does not always mean the lower the quote/the better the experience.
Local real estate agents can often provide recommendations, and there is also a “Find a Lawyer” page on the site Law Society website.
4. Is it better to choose someone local or can you travel across the country and network online?
A local carrier will be better familiar with the area and have greater knowledge of specific local issues.
It may also depend on your personal approach as you may want to hire more locally to save on travel costs and the ability to deal personally face to face.
