It isn't true that only those who have gone through long, expensive and involved training can possibly understand the intricacies of house buying, selling and conveyancing. Now in its fifth edition, this bestselling book by Joseph Bradshaw, once described in The Times as the 'guru of layperson conveyancing' explains just how straightforward the whole process really is.

This book is here to guide you through the process of selling and buying property inexpensively by cutting out solicitors and estate agent middlemen. Not only can it be done economically but easily too. Presently, the legal side of transferring a house from one owner to another is done, in most of England and Wales, by filling in simple forms and the money side of selling one house to pay for another is simply a business transaction.

The author covers everything you need to know, discussing how to be an insider, moneylenders, contracts, gazumping and gazoffing, registered and unregistered properties, and all the tricks of the trade for layperson conveyancers.

Valid in England and Wales only.

'This guide is written for lay people and will safely take you through a step-by-step process to buy and/or sell your house without using a solicitor. We have used it on three occasions saving both time and money and most important of all, it gives you control of the situation...no more waiting for people to come off the golf course and no more wondering if you are at the bottom of someone's in-tray.

Examples of any forms you will need are included in the book, and it is easy to obtain what you need when you need it. The first house we sold was in 1982, using Joseph Bradshaw's original version. We recently obtained an updated copy (Lawpack Publishing) and found it to be even easier to use. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!' - review from reader on amazon.co.uk.

'Bradshaw's [book] covers all of the major areas and issues which are involved when buying and selling your own home, with the single objective of minimising the cost of middlemen. To Bradshaw, middlemen include anybody who is neither the buyer nor the seller, including all known lawyers, estate agents and even surveyors. The book illustrates beautifully that conveyancing is dead simple.

There is no need to study rocket science: all that is required is the patience to fill in a few forms. Oh, and the confidence to talk to your vendor/buyer. You have to do these things whether or not you appoint a solicitor. So what are you paying a solicitor for? With websites offering 'private sale' facilities, it is becoming easier to remove the cost of useless agents and greedy lawyers, to the benefit of anybody involved in conveyancing. I wholeheartedly recommend this book. I shall certainly be following it!' - review from reader on amazon.co.uk.

1. Buying
2. New houses
3. Sell first or buy first?
4. Estate agents
5. Moneylenders
6. No agents please
7. Selling
8. Home Information Packs 
9. Contracts
10. Gazumping and gazoffing
11. The Registers
12. Conveyancing for laypeople
13. Buying and selling a registered house
14. Buying and selling an unregistered house
15. Matrimonial homes
16. Flats
17. Commonhold
18. Tricks of the trade