When is online conveyancing not a good option?

When buying or selling a property, a conveyancing lawyer will manage the transaction and endeavour to ensure everything goes seamlessly. It’s an important part of the process, but when you go to look for an appropriate legal partner you may feel overwhelmed with options.

From online conveyancing to in-person legal services you may be wondering what the differences are, and what will suit your needs.

With so many conveyancing services available, it is helpful to know the difference between the local and online options, and when to use one over the other. To help you determine when local conveyancing is the most suitable choice, this article explores everything you need to know about conveyancing, and when online conveyancing might not be the best solution for you.

What is conveyancing?

The role of a conveyancing solicitor is to manage a property transaction from start to finish, including processing paperwork, initial actions and dates, communicating with everyone involved, and making sure everything is executed correctly. To assess what form of conveyancing is right for you, let’s compare the two types.

Local conveyancing

Typically, local conveyancing is conducted through in-person meetings, phone calls, and emails with a local law firm. For the review process, documents are sent via postal mail, or email, to be signed and evaluated, or by booking a face-to-face appointment.

If you prefer a traditional in-person experience, local conveyancing is likely to be your first choice. However, it is worth noting that this generally involves slower communication and processing times and can be more costly.

However, this can be a more reassuring route for first-time buyers as you will have a lawyer present to answer any questions you may have. They can walk you through the process and make sure you don’t make any mistakes.

Online conveyancing

Almost anything can be done online these days and conveyancing is no exception. Instead of having to organise and travel to in-person meetings and manage multiple hard-copy documents, online conveyancing is completed by an experienced lawyer over a secure online portal in conjunction with assistance over the phone and via email.

The benefits of online conveyancing include the convenience, accessibility, and efficiency of the entire process. Because it’s more streamlined it can also be cheaper, which suits people that simply want a low-cost and efficient solution.

Local conveyancing vs online conveyancing

The conveyancing service you choose will depend on your priorities for the transaction process. To help you determine which is best for your specific situation, we have outlined the most common concerns, and which option is most appropriate for each:

1. You require face-to-face support

If you are feeling uncertain as you approach your property transaction, the support of your conveyancing solicitor is invaluable. For this reason, you will need to consider if you prefer to receive support through face-to-face or online interactions. If you decide that in-person conversations are a priority, a local provider might be a better fit.

2. Your transaction is complex

If your sale or purchase is complex, a local conveyancing solicitor will generally be more equipped to deal with the problems that arise. While most transactions are fairly standard across any region, there are instances when local experience and expertise are beneficial.

For example, if your property is a multi-section subdivision or a multi-lot unit, there may be some legal complications that are unique to the local area. If the property is being bought or sold by a trust, the services of a law firm could be more beneficial.

Additionally, when a transaction is particularly intricate or delicate, having a local conveyancing solicitor will help to mitigate some of the tension. If serious issues do arise between the vendor and buyer, the solicitor for each party can negotiate on behalf to help to diffuse the situation.

3. You need accessible services

The accessibility of property conveyancing services can be divided into two separate categories. Firstly, if you don’t have a smart device or an internet connection, a locally-based conveyancing solicitor is much more accessible to you. You can simply discuss everything at your scheduled meetings or over the phone and distribute paperwork through the post.

On the other hand, if you choose to receive a digital conveyancing quote, your needs will be met in an entirely different way. You will interact with your conveyancer via email, use digital forms, and experience a more inclusive and transparent mode of engagement. This will include meeting via Zoom or chatting more frequently on the phone.

4. You need a streamlined system

If you need your property transaction to go quickly it is advised that you are certain about what you require and when you require it, ensuring all the information is upfront at the beginning of the engagement.

While a local service assigns one person to each case, our online quoting services enlist multiple people to help process your paperwork together. This collaboration allows for a much faster turnaround when handling documents so that the transaction goes through much sooner.

How to choose a conveyancing option

If you require property conveyancing services, there are many instances when a web-based service is the best solution. However, despite the convenience and efficiency of online conveyancing, it isn’t for everyone.

If you’re still on the fence, below are some of the core things to look for when selecting a conveyancing solicitor:

Experience

Whether online or in-person the more experience and training your conveyancing solicitor has, the more capable and experienced they will be to handle your transaction with the diligence it deserves. LegalPath is the online portal for Halliwells, a reputable law firm working with clients all across New Zealand. From our beginnings in 1896, we have been dedicated to the highest standard of client support.

Qualifications

Regardless of whether they operate online or in person, a competent solicitor should verify their skills through locally relevant credentials. In New Zealand, conveyancing solicitors will be registered with the New Zealand Law Society (NZLS) with a relevant law degree and a particular interest and expertise in property law.

Proactive customer support

No matter what type of service you opt for, the quality and accessibility of customer support must be the main priority. Transferring your property title is a major undertaking so finding a conveyancing solicitor who can provide the reassurance and confidence you need is critical. From beginning to end, the smoothest transactions are backed up by frequent communication and transparent progress updates.

If the convenience and efficiency of online conveyancing tick all of your boxes, the friendly team at Halliwells via LegalPath is here to help. With our accessible support, clear progress updates, and expert insight, your property transaction is sure to go without a hitch no matter where you are in New Zealand.