I have never used a solicitor, just a conveyancer, who handeled everything for me once a price was agreed on.

And I mean everything... she called me when it was time to read and sign stuff or with questions. If you get a good one, it makes things VERY easy!!

I think there is a waiver/reduced thing for First Home Owners still for stamp duty, on top of the first owners grant? There was when I bought my first house....