Choosing the Right Solicitor: Kallars’ Guide for First-Time Buyers
At Kallars, we understand how important the legal process is when buying a home. With over 25 years of experience supporting buyers and sellers across London, we’ve seen the difference the right solicitor or conveyancer can make — and how the wrong choice can lead to delays or even failed sales.
Our advice is completely independent and based on decades of direct experience. We’ve worked alongside countless solicitors and conveyancers, and we only recommend those who have proven to be efficient, communicative, and consistently reliable.
Here’s everything first-time buyers need to know.
What Is Conveyancing?
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from the seller to the buyer. It involves:
- Reviewing legal titles
- Conducting all property searches
- Handling contracts
- Managing financial transfers
- Working with the seller’s legal team
- Ensuring all checks are completed before the exchange
Whether handled by a solicitor or licensed conveyancer, this work is essential — but the quality and responsiveness of the professional you choose matter enormously.
Solicitors vs Conveyancers: What’s the Difference?
Licensed Conveyancer
A licensed conveyancer is a property law specialist whose work focuses solely on conveyancing.
Pros
- Specialist in residential property
- Usually more affordable
- Efficient and streamlined
- Ideal for straightforward sales
Cons
- Limited scope for wider legal issues
- May struggle with complex or unusual transactions
- May only be a case handler, so a solicitor will have to look over it before coming back
Solicitor
A solicitor is a fully qualified lawyer who covers various areas of law, including property.
Pros
- Can advise on complex legal matters
- Able to handle unusual titles, leaseholds, disputes, or additional legal needs
- Offers broader support for buyers needing more than just conveyancing
Cons
- Usually more expensive
- Some firms do not specialise in conveyancing exclusively, affecting speed and communication
Independent Recommendations Backed by 25+ Years of Experience
At Kallars, our recommendations are based solely on what is best for you — not referral fees, not partnerships, and not convenience.
We recommend solicitors we have personally worked with, who have consistently demonstrated:
- Strong communication
- Efficient case handling
- Proactive problem-solving
- Reliability under pressure
Our experience over the last 25 years means we know which legal teams keep a sale on track — and which ones can slow things down.
Why Communication Matters More Than Anything
As an estate agency with decades of experience, we cannot stress this enough:
Most delays — and many failed sales — are caused by slow or unresponsive solicitors.
We’ve seen situations where:
- Emails or calls go unanswered for days or weeks
- Simple queries remain unresolved
- Search results aren’t reviewed quickly
- Chains stall due to lack of communication
Even when all parties want the sale to proceed, poor communication can bring everything to a halt.
Why Mortgage Advisor Recommendations Aren’t Always the Best Choice
Mortgage advisors often recommend solicitors based on long-standing relationships or large-scale operations. While convenient, these firms can be:
- High-volume
- Hard to reach
- Slow to respond
- Difficult for agents and buyers to communicate with
This can create significant delays and frustration.
At Kallars, we prioritise solicitors who work with us and with you to keep your purchase moving — not slow it down.
The Estate Agent Is the Central Point of Communication
A crucial part of the process many buyers don’t realise:
It’s the estate agent who ties the entire transaction together.
At Kallars, every sale is actively progressed by:
- Your dedicated Sales Consultant (your main point of contact)
- The Sales Manager
- The Associate Director
This team works together behind the scenes to:
- Monitor progress on both sides
- Chase solicitors when needed
- Keep all parties updated
- Spot issues early and resolve them quickly
To do this effectively, we rely on solicitors who communicate promptly. When they don’t, the entire chain slows — and sometimes collapses.
Sales Can Fall Through Due to Poor Solicitors — We’ve Seen It First-Hand
Sadly, many transactions fail not because of the property, the buyer, or the seller — but because the legal representative wasn’t responsive.
We've seen:
- Chains collapse due to unanswered queries
- Buyers lose properties because issues weren’t addressed quickly
- Sales fall apart because communication has completely broken down
This is why choosing the right solicitor is one of the most important decisions you will make when buying a home.
Final Thoughts
With Kallars’ 25+ years of independent expertise, we know exactly what keeps a sale moving — and what causes it to fall apart.
When choosing a solicitor or conveyancer, remember:
- Communication is essential
- The estate agent — including your Sales Consultant, Sales Manager, and Associate Director — relies on responsive solicitors to progress your sale
- Poor communication is one of the biggest causes of delays and failed transactions
- Our recommended solicitors are chosen based on proven performance, not partnerships
- The right legal professional can make the entire process smoother, quicker, and far less stressful
- Also, if you are buying a property which is five or more floors, the solicitor needs to be covered under the Building Safety Act