Online Convayancing - Lambertpugh?

Tra77

Anyone had any experience with the above (based in Norwich)?

I found them via the ReallyMoving website and they're coming in a couple of hundred cheaper than my local 3 solicitors are quoting (of which I could really use a big saving like this right now)

People I am buying from are keen for us to use same soliciors as them (one of my local ones) - hoping for a smoother, quicker transaction for both parties. I have used this local company previously so no concerns about their service but I can't ignore the potential saving.

Richard_Webster

People I am buying from are keen for us to use same soliciors as them

Use local solicitors certainly, but NOT the same ones as those being used by sellers - you do want to make sure that you get genuinely independent advice and however reputable the firm there could be temptations not to emphasise some grey area point.

Some extracts from Lambert Pugh's website:

Stamp Duty

This is a government tax on the transfer of property. The rates for residential property are as follows.

Properties up to and including £120,000 are exempt.

They either know something we don't about Mr Brown trying claw back some more money or it is very out of date....

We have an arrangement with a national company to do personal local searches in any area of England and Wales for just £90. They are covered by £5 million insurance and are excepted by most mortgage lenders

The £90 is on the cheap side so nothing to complain about there - but they could get their spelling/grammar right!

I couldn't find any turgid terms and conditions with lots of extras on their website so that's a good sign, but if you want to use them make sure you get them to confirm that there aren't any further hidden extras (completing SDLT form, telephone calls and postages, archive fee, fee for acting for lender ,etc)

If you were happy with one of the local solicitors you used before isn't it more sensible to use them (not the same as the seller) because a saving of £200 on a property purchase costing 5/6 figures is very small - negotiations on price were probably conducted in £1-2K dollops after all.

Tra77

Thanks for your reply Richard. I'm actually buying from a friend and think she was suggesting the same solicitor in the hope of a speedier, smoother transaction as we wouldn't be going from solicitor to solicitor. But you have given me something to think about.

I noticed the out of date info and spelling errors too which make me reluctant to see them as a 'professional' company. I just can't understand how the costs can differ so much. . . but thinking about it I guess you're right £300 is possibly a small price to pay on a 6 figure property.