Buying

We do a lot of conveyancing, so we’re good at getting it right. We have been assisting Sydney and New South Wales conveyancing clients complete their property transactions since 2001. We provide expert advice and services for:

Buying a residential property

As one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make, it is important that you use an experienced, trusted conveyancer when buying a property. We have a deep understanding of the conveyancing process and a wealth of property law knowledge. We are conversant with current laws and regulations and how these effect your conveyancing transaction. Our clients receive individualised attention to ensure they are fully aware of their rights and responsibilities so they can make informed decisions before signing a contract.

The first steps

If you are looking to buy a residential property, you will know how competitive the market can be and the sense of urgency in securing the ‘right’ property. No doubt, you will want to lock in the purchase of your dream home quickly, but it is important to have your contract reviewed by an experienced professional before committing to your purchase.

Contracts for the sale of property in New South Wales usually adopt a ‘standard’ form and must include prescribed disclosure documents which provide important information about the property you are considering. The contract should show a plan of the land and details of any registered interests such as easements or restrictive covenants. The planning certificate confirms the permitted use of the land and sets out matters impacting it such as heritage listings or flood zones. Depending on the property in question, a range of other important documents will assist you in determining if the investment is right for you.

Although the contract form is usually ‘standard,’ additional conditions are often added to protect a vendor’s interests, and there are other enquiries and investigations that should be carried out to flag potential issues that are not obvious from the information in the contract. For example, pest and building reports from a reputable professional can identify existing or potential pest or structural problems which should be factored into your decision making.

We will go through the contract with you, discuss the disclosure documents and explain your rights and obligations under the contract. We will explain how any cooling-off rights operate and recommend additional enquiries to help you carry out your due diligence, so you know exactly what you are getting before you commit.

Once you are happy with everything, we can organise an exchange of contracts, so the parties are legally bound to the transaction. The agreed deposit is payable on or before exchange of contracts which is typically held in trust by the real estate agent.

Getting ready to settle your property purchase

Once contracts are binding, we usually carry out further investigations to ascertain whether the property could be adversely affected by matters such as government proposals for road widening, etc. We will discuss any issues that arise.

Stamp duty requirements need to be met, if relevant, and we will start liaising with your lender and the vendor’s lawyer or conveyancer in preparation for settlement.

Settlement statements are prepared to show the final balance owing on completion taking into account the deposit paid, rates and other adjustments. These are checked and agreed between the parties before notifying your lender (as relevant) how the loan funds should be processed. You will be entitled to a final inspection just before completion and you should arrange this with the real estate agent.

Whether you are a first-home buyer, upsizing your family home, or a seasoned investor, we can help. We will guide your through the complex conveyancing process and explain unfamiliar concepts so you can make informed decisions about your next property purchase.

If you need advice or assistance from an experienced conveyancer, contact [email protected] or call 02 9629 6685.