tmgroup account director, Jon Horton
70% of home movers want to be updated by their conveyancer at least once a week on the progress of their property transaction, a report compiled by leading property and data provider tmgroup has found.
With the property market continuing on an upwards curve throughout 2015 and peaking before the SDLT surcharge came into effect on April 1st 2016, conveyancers have been inundated with new cases and subsequently experienced unprecedented levels of chasing from clients, lenders and estate agents.
The Home Moving Trends survey, conducted by the Property Academy in partnership with tmgroup, asks more than 5400 home movers a number of questions designed to reveal how they found, selected and rated their conveyancers. Among the questions posed at the end of last year, respondents were asked: “How often do you want your conveyancer to update you?”
Continuing a trend from 2014, around 70% of home movers wanted to be kept updated at least once a week but perhaps the surprising part is that they still want an update even if there is nothing new to report.
In contrast, the survey found that 22.1% of respondents only want their solicitor or conveyancer to contact them when there is something they need to know, such as when searches are returned or contracts are ready to be exchanged.
tmgroup account director Jon Horton said:
“With differing expectations from clients over how often you contact them, our advice is that you consult with each client at the outset and ask how frequent they would like progress updates.
“Tailor your contact with each individual client if you can but if you know you can’t meet their expectations, let them know as early as possible.
7 out of 10 clients are looking for weekly updates, so taking a leaf out of Transport for London’s book in providing a ‘There is a good service on all London Underground Lines’-type of message when things are just ticking over can offer the reassurance they need.”
