Testimonials

Why I took the law into my own hands

As a taster, here are the 1st two paragraphs of Neasa's article in The Observer, November 2002.

Would you be prepared to put in a couple of days' paperwork in order to save up to £700? I was - an attitude which resulted in my doing the conveyancing work when we bought a holiday home in Cornwall last month. It was surprisingly easy - and rather pleasant. About 10 times in my life I have engaged a conveyancing solicitor to do the work for me. But, on every occasion, I felt that I had lost control of the situation several times. Each time was gruesome. The worst was when we only managed to exchange contracts two days before completion, leaving me worrying until the last 48 hours about whether I would soon be living in a cardboard...

I've done my own 5 times!

A veteran of 5 successful property transaction tells all:

I started to look into doing it myself when the solicitor acting for my father accidentally forgot to deduct the deposit from the final price of the house. Once I pointed out the error, everything was quickly rectified, but if I hadn't become involved on my father's behalf he would have lost a lot of money.

When it came time for me to move house, I decided to take more control. After research I took the decision to not only do my own conveyancing, but advertising and removals as well. During the five property transactions, the only issues I have encountered have originated from solicitors: One sent the deposit cheque directly to me, instead of to the holding building society. Another tried to be obstructive and asked for more proof of previous ownership than the two I already offered. Luckily both of these issues were resolved satisfactorily after further communication.

One of the transactions was with someone else who was also doing his own conveyancing. We resolved the whole matter over a cup of tea one afternoon! My primary reason for taking more control was to ensure that no mistakes were made. Financial savings were made, particularly on stamp duty.

All the best, Peter from Birmingham