A conveyancer will handle most of the steps involved in the sale or purchase of property, but it’s still important as the buyer or seller to be informed and involved in the process. As part of property conveyancing, your conveyancer will handle all the legal paperwork and manage the process to reach settlement. 

They understand that buying or selling property can be the most stressful time in your life, so they do everything they can to make it run smoothly for you.

But when it comes to the nitty gritty, what do conveyancers check? And more importantly, what should you check?

 

What do conveyancers check?

It’s the conveyancers job to check that all legal documents are lodged correctly, on time, and in their clients best interest. They will understand the ins and outs of the Contract of Sale, Vendor Disclosure Statements, deed and title documents, as well as structural and pest reports on the property. They will check that all of these documents are correct, have no surprise clauses or red flags, and meet with your requirements and conditions. Their expert knowledge means that they can handle all of the paperwork and push the process forward for you, ensuring that it is smooth and as stress-free as possible.

 

What should you do?

There are many things that you as a buyer or seller should do and check. We’ve put together a quick conveyancing checklist for you to use before and during working with a conveyancer. 

 

• Do your conveyancing research 

When you’re in the process of finding a conveyancing lawyer, make sure you do your research. Check their reviews, the services they offer and their pricing. You should also do some preliminary research into what’s involved in the buying or selling process. Being informed allows you to ask the right questions and protect your interests. 

It goes without saying that you should always make sure that your conveyancing lawyer or solicitor is a fully licensed professional. 

• Have your finances in order early

If you will need finance to fund the purchase of a property, it’s important to get this started as early as possible. Meet with your bank or mortgage broker at the beginning of your house search so that you can get a loan pre-approval. This will also give you a better idea on how much you can borrow and what price range you should look in. Having your finance in order early means that you are ready to act as soon as you find the right property.

• Check your mortgage deed

Most people will buy property using a mortgage and if this is the case you should receive a mortgage deed. This gives your lender the interest in the property and as the borrower you pledge your new property as security against your mortgage. Conveyancing solicitors usually take care of this, but it’s important for you to be across it as part of the conveyancing process. 

• Make sure you read the fine print

This is incredibly important. Always read the finer points of any mortgage, contract, document, or property report. Even when it’s a document that your conveyancing lawyer is handling, it’s in your best interest to know what you’re getting yourself in for.

• Make sure you properly inspect the property (for buyers)

If you find a great home, you may get caught up in the excitement that you start proceedings before properly inspecting the property. Buyers should properly inspect the place to ensure it’s the right decision, even if it means looking at it several times. It’s a massive and life changing purchase, so you have to make sure you’re making the right move. 

• Ask your conveyancer for a run-down of the process

A good conveyancer will keep you informed during the process and will answer any questions you may have, but it’s a good idea to ask them to explain the steps to settlement so that you are not left in the dark or get any nasty surprises. 

• Disclose any agreements you have with the seller or buyer

Sometimes there are agreements made between a buyer and seller (it could be things like the asking price of the property or including certain fixtures and fittings with the property). It’s important to keep your conveyancer informed of these kinds of agreements. They can then check the legal implications of the agreement and whether it is in your best interest. It also helps to protect buyers or sellers in case either party forgets the agreed upon conditions along the way. 

• Check for shared upkeep areas

When buying in an apartment complex or with other property types such as commercial or retail real estate, it’s important to be aware of any shared upkeep areas or ongoing requirements for the buyer. For instance, some properties come with agreements between neighbours about the upkeep of shared driveways or green areas. It’s important that you’re aware of and agree to these agreements to avoid any future issues. 

 

We hope this has answered your questions about “what do conveyancers check?” and what you should be doing as a buyer or seller. If you have any questions about conveyancing or are interested in our services, get in touch with us today.