was the lawyer hired by you ? I would presume so since you are the buyer..

to a certain degree you have to trust the lawyer to do the job for you that is why its essential you get a reliable one.

Are you taking a loan?  if you are , its probably "safer" that way as the bank will ensure all documentation are in order before disbursement.

You mean the condo is still under master title and now in the process of getting the strata title?

If yes, then you are in luck. Well, unless you really want to get the unit ASAP.

u sign the S&P doesnt mean property under ur name..

u need to fulfill the T&C in the SPA = payment of purchase price

once u paid full purchase price, then only the lawyer will go and do the title transfer to your name.

what ur lawyer said is correct, strata title sometimes 2-3 months and some places up to 6-9 months.

once u paid ur balance purchase price, ask the lawyer to give u a copy of the presentation receipt (which evidences the lawyer submitting the title to land office to transfer to ur name). From that presentation receipt u should be able to track the progress online. If the lawyer doesn't do that u can lodge report at bar council (of course u need to give the lawyer approx 1-2wks to go and do the registration la).

100% + lawyer fee, stamp duty, disbursements

You mean the condo is still under master title and now in the process of getting the strata title?

If yes, then you are in luck. Well, unless you really want to get the unit ASAP.

the lawyer will only do the title transfer to your name after the whole purchase price has been paid to the lawyer as stakeholder

eg property price is 500k

the whole 500k (whether from ur pocket or from ur bank loan) must be paid to the lawyer as stakeholder

AND u must pay the lawyer legal fees and stamp duty

THEN ONLY he will do the title transfer to u.

why would you think after u pay deposit the lawyer must transfer title to you? u're not yet the owner of the property until u pay the whole purchase price ma.

1. pay all u need to pay = pls elaborate

2. what do u mean by 'processing of S&P can be completed"

if ur concerned whether u need to pay additional legal fees for preparing the MOT, then no. the legal fees they charge u for preparing SPA does include preparing the MOT as well.

you're making me confused as well. the bolded parts are my explanation, hope it helps.

Example:
1. Like the case of current owner, he need to get the strata title, he needs pay stamp duty to transfer the title from developer to him
2. Like my case, i need to pay stamp duty on the MOT to transfer the ownership of the property from the owner's name to your name.

So MOT need to be paid when:
1. u want to transfer property ownership. YES
2. or change title from master to strata (technically change title from master to strata IS a transfer property ownership same like #1)

Let say:
MOT dy paid, lawyer must get the title transferred to the seller/owner's name first. Once title is extracted from land office with the seller/owner's name written there, then only can do the 2nd transfer (yes u pay the stamp duty on the MOT, but there shouldn't be a separate 'legal fee' chargeable on preparing the MOT if you use the same SPA lawyer lah) - to transfer to your name as the purchaser, provided that you have paid the seller the full purchase price.

either

1. lawyer say sign the booking form now, then wait until title registered under owner name, only sign SPA

2. lawyer say sign SPA first, but wait until title registered under owner name, then only the time for u to pay the balance purchase price start to run (usually 3 months + 1 month extension subject to interest)

either way also can, as long u can lock in ur purchase price now and tie the owner down to sell this property to u.

maybe u misunderstand what ur lawyer say - u must wait for title to be under owner's name first only can transfer to ur name (assuming direct transfer is not allowed).

direct transfer means, from developer name direct to ur name. so the seller/owner save on his stamp duty on MOT (cos skip the 1st transfer to him)

depends on developer mood.

it is never specified. ultimately depend on developer mood.

it is never specified. ultimately depend on developer mood.

if the condo still under master title means the developer hasn't subdivide the units yet, no strata title yet
if strata title has been issued and current owner has yet to get the strata title transferred to him/her, and if he/she wants to sell the property, then will need consent from the developer for direct transfer
if the owner has already applied for the strata title and in the midst of obtaining it, then this process has to be completed, no half way
you can put a condition precedent in the s&p  - receipt of the copy of strata title duly registered in the name of the seller, so your 3 months will only start after this condition has been fulfilled..
bear in mind your waiting time to get the place will likely cross 3 months (including the waiting time for seller's strata title)
this happened to me all the best