Hi, appreciate your advice, thanks in advance!

I just sold my apartment and was advised that it would be cheaper if both of us (seller and buyer) use the same lawyer. My questions are:

1 ) it is risky to use the same lawyer? what are the risks involved?

2) i received the 1st draft of S&P today and it mentioned that "the seller chose not to be represented by a lawyer" ? Does it mean that the lawyer only represents and hence will only look after the interest of the buyer?

2) Is the fee charged reasonable? How much does it cost if i appoint my own lawyer ?

A. Legal Fees:
Discharge of Charge : RM300
Statutory Declaration: RM100
CKHT 1A: RM300
Change of Ownership (DBKL): RM100
Change of Ownership (mgmt office) : RM100
5% service Tax
Subtotal: RM900+ 45 = RM945

B. Disbursements:
Stamping Fee for Discharge of Charge: RM10
Discharge of Charge & Noting of PA: RM100
Affiming & Stamping Fee for Statutory Declaration: RM30
Land Search: RM60
OA Search: RM50
Transport charges: RM100
Miscellaneous: RM50
Sub Total : RM400

Grand Total: RM1345

3) If we (vendor and buyer) use the same lawyer, what are the important clauses in the S&P that i as the vendor need to pay attention for??

4) in the S&P, it is mention about a retention sum of 2% of the sale price (for tax purposes) , is it a normal practise?

Many thanks!

Hi Dariofoo,

many many thanks! really appreciate it!! If i understand correctly, the reasonable cost would be around RM1000 instead of RM1345 rite?

Correct me if im wrong, by FULL SCALED FEES, it means that on top of the costs quoted i would have to pay 1K plus bcoz i sold me house for 150K, then the total cost would be more than 2K, rite?

Thanks for the advise, i would get the clause on Notification of Change of Ownership that you suggested to be inserted into the S&P, but wud you explain to me the clause in layman term and its implications, pls? many thanks!

This post has been edited by dreamadream: Nov 9 2010, 11:02 PM

Hi many thanks!

Sorry the prop value is RM150K instead of 130K, so that means if i opt to appoint my own lawyer, my total cost will be RM1500+RM1345 = RM2845? or i only pay RM1500？

Pls correct me if i'm wrong, does it mean that if the purchaser fails to fulfill his obligations, i would hv to perform all necessary for e.g to remove caveats (if any) lodged on my own???? Can i then appoint a lawyer to do it??

Hi Dariofoo,

many many many thanks!!!!! really appreciate your help!!!
The lawyer has sent me the 1st draft of SNP today (so efficient) and i managed to get some charges off the bill.
will try to look at the SNP and see how it goes
thanks again !!!!!!!

Hi Dario, sorry for the late reply. The lawyer told me that the legal fees would be around 1K after discounts but did not mention about breakdown of the fees ~

thank you for your kind assistance

hi Dario,

need you professional advice, tks in advance!

1) Will buying a Condo (freehold, completed) from a foreigner take longer time for the whole process to be completed?

2) What are other things that one needs to take into consideration when buying property from foreign owners?

thanks!