This week’s Spotlight Series focuses on one of our Personal Search Agents, Theresa. Having joined OneSearch in October last year, Theresa is now doing a stellar job of juggling work and family life during lockdown. Take it away, Theresa…
What does a typical working day look like for you?
A typical working day for me (during this pandemic) is complete Joe Wickes PE with my husband and kids, help my boys with their school work straight after that, until lunch time, and then start my work after lunch.
Before the pandemic, most days, I would be visiting a council in the morning and then updating information onto our database in the afternoon. I try to get the work done before my children finish school.
What do you like about working atOneSearch?
I absolutely love the flexibility of the job and the fact that it fits so well around my home life.
JUST FOR FUN
When not in the office, you can usually find me:
walking my dog or taking my boys to one of their very many after school activities!
Three things I would struggle to live without are:
- Coffee
- Family
- Chocolate!
My last meal on earth would be…
A chocolate brownie with ice cream.
Here is Theresa with her family in the sun!
Duties to Lenders Revisited
The Lenders’ Handbook is quite simply the instructions we receive from our most important clients – the lenders who fund most purchases.
The requirements of the Handbook are not optional
They govern the majority of conveyancing transactions and a failure to adhere to its contents could render a firm liable to the lender in the event of default by the buyer.
The best lawyers execute a Certificate of Title (CoT) with a fair degree of trepidation. An important fact lost on many fee earners is that by signing the CoT, the lawyer is certifying compliance with all the requirements set out in the Lenders’ Handbook. The implications are significant.
This free 30 minute webinar, taking place on Tuesday 2nd June at 10:30am, highlights issues concerning Handbook compliance and identifies technologies available through Onesearch Direct that assist firms in being fully compliant with any changes to the Handbook.
Spaces are limited to 100 places, so please register now to avoid disappointment. If you would like more information, please email intro@onesearchdirect.co.uk.
With such a vast array of risk reports now on offer in our industry, one of the most frequently asked questions we receive is “which risk report should I use?“
To this end we are delighted to offer you a FREE webinar, taking place on Wednesday 27th May at 11:30am, which highlights the difference between risk reports and will empower solicitors who manage risk as part of due diligence and client care processes.
How do you address red flags?
As we all know, there are various issues that can be flagged up in risk reports. Our webinar will discuss exactly what these issues are and, more importantly, how to deal with them.
We will be exploring the following topics:
- Why we do searches – Law Society compliance, avoiding traps and ‘nasty surprises’
- Breaking down the content of the various reports – understanding
- The importance of the data & information included within environmental, flood and other risk reports
- Which reports to select and when
- Selecting an ‘all-in-one’ vs individual risk reports
- Matching the right reports for the right transaction or property type
John Margett, Client Relationship Manager, comments:
“This webinar provides an overview on environmental, flooding and planning concerns, and explores why risk searches are required. Other topics covered include Law Society compliance, a breakdown of the types of data included in risk reports, and case studies to demonstrate the necessity of avoiding ‘nasty surprises’. We’re excited to open up a conversation around this, and I believe this session is a proactive knowledge exercise for any conveyancer.”
Abid Mahmood is our star of this week’s Spotlight Series. Abid has been with us since late 2018 and is the Regional Manager for London and surrounding areas. Usually a fan of the gym, Abid now counts Tesco visits and walking around the house as his lockdown hobbies!
What does a typical working day look like for you?
A lot of my time is spent on the road and visiting clients. I also deal with enquiries relating to client accounts and search orders.
What do you like about working atOneSearch?
The team. OneSearch has an amazing team of people that are always ready to help in every situation. The sales team and the people in Glasgow are an amazing bunch and I love working with them.
What are the main issues firms have to deal with, that you would like to fix?
I think the conveyancing process is outdated and firms find that it is time consuming. I would like to make the process quicker and easier.
What is your favourite OneSearch product/website feature?
The OneSearch Prime is my favourite product. It is a regulated local search which contains all the vital information in an easy to understand report.
JUST FOR FUN
When not in the office, you can usually find me:
At the Gym or cycling.
Three things I would struggle to live without are:
- My phone
- Car
- Netflix
My last meal on earth would be…
A classic fish and chips!
If you would like to speak with Abid directly, you reach him on:-
- E-mail Address: amahmood@onesearchdirect.co.uk
- Mobile Number: 07739 336529
You can also get in touch via Social Media:-
Abid Mahmood
We would like to share with you some kind words from one of our clients:
“I just wanted to thank OneSearch really.
As you know we are a small business (albeit a very busy one) so we are doing our utmost to keep the business going during this difficult and challenging time. There are just a handful of our team working to keep matters going for as long as we can in a safe environment.
The searches your firm are producing are coming through so quickly and this is really helping us progress matters as best as possible at this time. It’s really helping! So a huge thank you.
It’s nice to see so many pull together during a time like this. It’s really shown how we can continue to work with the great companies we work alongside daily – it will only help strengthen these really crucial and important relationships. That’s what business is all about right?”
Vicky Noren-Dobson, Cook and Talbot
Thank you, Vicky, you have made our day! 
For more testimonials, click here. If you would like to become our next happy customer, please get in touch: intro@onesearchdirect.co.uk.
We would like you to meet our exceptional staff who are working tirelessly to keep transactions moving during these uncertain times and beyond.
To kick off our OneSearch Spotlight series, meet John Margett. John is our Client Relationship Manager, and has been with OneSearch for just over three years.
Take it away, John…
What does a typical working day look like for you?
I’m working from home during the current situation and corresponding remotely with colleagues and clients to ensure that we can continue to service our clients and be fully operational until the restrictions are lifted. Usually, my role is nicely varied; some days I am out on the road visiting clients to discuss the challenges they are facing, their current requirements and plans, and to ensure that we continue to provide a bespoke solution for them along with the best level of customer service. We’ll discuss market trends and how they are affecting their firm, and I’ll brief them on any new initiatives and products that I feel would be relevant to them. On other days I will be in the office catching up with admin, contacting clients via telephone or email regarding their requirements and our services, and liaising with our Regional Managers; we work together as a team to consistently deliver a high quality service to our clients.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Difficult to narrow it down to one thing! I love going out and catching up with our clients and am looking forward to getting out on the road again; I feel that face to face meetings are the best way to build and maintain relationships. The people I work with are absolutely brilliant, and it’s great to work for an exciting, positive, forward-thinking company where everyone is valued.
From your conversations with solicitors, what do you feel are the biggest issues they face today?
We’ve all been taken by surprise by the swift escalation of the COVID-19 virus in the UK, and the restrictions which have now been put in place. The most common theme that has arisen in conversations I’ve had with firms during this period is the uncertainty as to how long the restrictions will last and when we can start to return to something at least resembling normality. Clearly the longer this situation goes on, the more likely the housing market will be affected with people being unable to move, house viewings unavailable and a general reduction in consumer confidence. Despite this, I have been encouraged by the ongoing positivity in the market and the number of firms I have spoken with who acknowledge that whilst the next 2 or 3 months will be incredibly challenging, the storm will pass and the housing market, therefore the conveyancing industry, will pick up and rise again.
What is your favourite aspect of our ordering portal?
It’s easy and quick to navigate and yet gives thorough and in-depth information about the various products we have on offer. The Quick Quote function for indemnity policies is a welcome addition and something I feel really benefits our clients.
Your favourite OSD product and why:
At the moment it has to be OneSearch Transact. A concern I had was local authority searches being delayed because of the current situation. It is a credit to all concerned at OneSearch Direct that we have moved quickly to bring to the market a product which, even during these uncertain times, can typically provide over 70% of the data included in a full local authority search, and provide up to £1m level of cover indemnified by Aviva. This is an ideal solution not just in maintaining progression on transactions, but to give conveyancers and their clients peace of mind.
JUST FOR FUN
When not in the office, you can usually find me here:
I’m enjoying spending quality time with my family at the moment which I love to do generally when I’m not in the office, along with walking our dog; walking in the countryside; playing the violin or piano; playing football; watching football, tennis, rugby union, cricket (or pretty much any sport…I’m really missing sport at the moment!); or relaxing by reading a good book or listening to classical music with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Three things I would struggle to live without are:
- Sport
- Music
- Good food and wine
My last meal on earth would be…
I’m not particularly fussy and like trying different things…a nice 4 course meal prepared by Heston Blumenthal would perhaps be ideal…accompanied by a nice glass of wine.
If you would like to speak with John directly, you reach him on:-
- E-mail Address: jmargett@onesearchdirect.co.uk
- Mobile Number: 07739 336564
- Office Number: 01782 433270
You can also get in touch via Social Media:-
@John_OneSearchAnd just for good measure… here’s a throwback to John circa 1997! 
