If you get to signing the contract, check your legal guy's bill. I asked mine what everything was for and he told me. I then asked why a couple of things seemed to be for the same thing. He said "oh dear, we seem to be charging you twice" and corrected the bill.
I always laugh when passport forms ask for a witness who is a lawyer, solicitor, or some else who must be more honest than the rest of us.
As for buying a house now, prices could go up or prices could go down.