If you’re looking to buy or sell a house, you might think that choosing a conveyancer is one of the more minor decisions you’ll have to make. In fact, you may not even think about the conveyancer at all – your conveyancer is just someone who dots the i’s and crosses the t’s to make sure you can buy or sell your property, right?

Well – yes and no. Yes, conveyancers make sure that all your legal ducks are in a line and that your property sale or purchase is carried out legally, correctly and efficiently. But a conveyancer provides so much more value than that – and not all conveyancers are made equal. Like any profession, you’ll come across a wide range of quality amongst conveyancers, and which one you choose can make a big difference to how well your property transaction goes.

So how do you choose a great conveyancer who will smooth the path of your property purchase or sale and help you navigate the hazard-infested waters of property law? Here’s how to start.

Decide what you can afford
Deciding how much you can – or are willing – to spend on a conveyancer is a big, important part of the process. And it’s not always about who’s the cheapest, either. There’s generally a reason why certain individuals (in any profession) charge more than others, and that’s usually because they offer more or better value. You have to weigh up what you can afford and balance it against what you want out of the service, and then go for the best quality conveyancing service that you can afford on your budget.

How do you know what constitutes quality? Here’s how.

Start your search with some in-person conversations
The best way to get some assurance about who provides a quality service (and who doesn’t) is simply to ask. Word of mouth is considered to be one of the best ways of ascertaining quality, as people love to tell other people when someone has treated them well and done a good job. On the flip side, people also love to talk if someone has done a poor job, and won’t hesitate to warn you off.

Have a chat to friends, family members, workmates or neighbours who you know have recently bought or sold a house, and ask them:

· Which conveyancer did they use?
· Were they happy with the service provided?
· Do they feel as if they got a good outcome from the property transaction?
· Why they would recommend (or not recommend) their conveyancer.

This last one is important, as it will give you clues as to whether the conveyancer in question might be a good fit for you as well.

Make sure you’re looking for the right type of professional, too. You need the services of a conveyancer when buying or selling a house, not just a lawyer or solicitor. Many people get confused at the difference between the various roles, and it’s easy to see why, as numerous facets of these roles overlap. However, licenced conveyancers are specialists in matters relating to property law and real estate, while lawyers and solicitors operate in a more general field. Go for the specialist professional assistance, as licenced conveyancers are uniquely qualified to expertly help you with your property transaction.

Move your search online
After having discussions with as wide a range of people as you can find, you’ve probably got the names of a few potential conveyancers. Now’s the time to move your search online. Check out:

· The Conveyancer’s website
· Referrals and reviews from past and present clients
· Online forums

This will give you an idea of the philosophy of the practice and the track record of the conveyancer. Don’t pay too much attention to reviews on the conveyancer’s own website, however, as they will invariably be positive and glowing. Try to find more impartial reviews on forums or review sites that will give you a better picture of just what you’re getting for your money. Of course, this kind of information will only tell you so much, but it’s good to get a feel for each option.

Narrow your focus
Once you’ve gathered some preliminary information, it’s time to make a shortlist of conveyancers to consider. You’ll find it easier to do this if you first come up with a list of non-negotiables that are essential in your choice of conveyancer. You may get a few matches, or you may just get one, but this will help you narrow down your choices.

Choose your conveyancer
Now it’s time to arrange a meeting with each of your options – either in person, on the phone or via videoconferencing. Have a list of questions prepared about the process of conveyancing and how it will work in your unique circumstances, and listen hard to the answers you receive. The manner in which they communicate, as well as the answers they give, will give you a very good idea of whether you can work effectively with this conveyancer.

After you’ve "interviewed" your prospective conveyancers, it will probably be fairly clear which one is a good choice for you. If you’re still struggling to decide, match your shortlist of non-negotiables with your potential conveyancer and see which one measures up in the best way.

Always make sure the conveyancer you choose is licenced, qualified and experienced. If you’d like to speak with a team of expert and professional conveyancers, contact GM Law