Northern Beaches Conveyancing & Property Lawyers

Buying and selling property requires sound decision making and is usually one of the largest financial transactions that a person makes in their lifetime. Dealing with real estate agents, buyers agents, mortgage brokers, banks can be challenging and it is difficult to know who is representing your best interests. Our primary role is to represent your best interests when you are buying or selling property. Buying and selling property is one of life’s most important moments and you need the right team to advise you through the process so that you make the right decisions. In this area experience counts. Our conveyancers, lawyers and administrative staff have extensive experience in conveyancing and all matters relating to property law and work as a team to provide excellent service and advice in a friendly, timely and cost effective manner.

Some of our points of difference over other conveyancing firms are:

Attention to detail – When acting for vendors we will prepare a contract which assists with the marketing of the property so that all relevant information is available for the agent and prospective purchasers. When acting for purchasers we ensure that our clients are fully advised in relation to any issues or risks with the property and will provide frank advice so that our clients are aware of their options.
Communication – We communicate clearly with our clients so that they are fully informed of the status of their matter from initial instructions to completion. We also communicate proactively with other service providers involved in the transaction such as real estate agents, buyers agents, mortgage brokers and banks.
Efficiency – We have extensive experience in conveyancing and property law and have advanced document management, accounting and title transfer systems in place so that we provide services efficiently and cost effectively to our clients.
Network – We have a network of trusted professional and other service providers who we can refer you to for advice in relation to the non legal aspects of a property sale or purchase such as pest and building inspectors, real estate agents, buyers agents, mortgage brokers, accountants and financial planner.
Problem solving – Most conveyancing transactions settle without a significant problem arising. However if a significant issue or problem arises during your matter we are usually able to draw on our experience and expertise to resolve it in house. A common issue with conveyancing firms is that if a legal issue or dispute arises during a conveyancing matter, as they are not lawyers they do not have the expertise and experience to resolve the issue or dispute and need to refer the client to a law firm to continue acting to resolve the issue. Clients who engage our firm do not have this issue because our conveyancers and lawyers have extensive experience in avoiding issues and disputes and if an issue or dispute arises our lawyers have extensive experience in resolving them.
Trust account – We operate a trust account which our conveyancing clients can use as required for their conveyancing transaction.
On time settlements – All attendances within our control are made so that the settlement occurs on time. If another party has not made attendances required for settlement to occur on time we are proactive in our communication with the other party to facilitate on time settlement.
Other legal services – We can assist you and your family members and friends in the other areas of law in which we practice including wills and estate planning, deceased estates and elder law”.

Northern Beaches Conveyancing Services

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring an interest in land from one person to another. Buying and selling property is often the largest financial transaction many of our clients will undertake. Our proactive approach to communication ensures you are kept advised on the progress of your conveyancing matter so you know what’s happening and can make informed decisions.

We are members of PEXA, and all our settlements are conducted electronically and securely. The PEXA workspace provides greater efficiency in the conveyancing process and real-time registration of documents and payments.

Buying a Residential Property

Our Northern Beaches and lower North Shore property lawyer and conveyancers can help whether you are a first home buyer or a seasoned investor and whether you are buying vacant land, an off-the-plan strata unit, or an existing dwelling.

Our conveyancers and lawyers primary focus when acting for a purchaser is to ensure they are aware of the risks involved in buying property, and that they understand their rights and obligations under the contract. We will explain the contract terms and, if necessary, negotiate certain provisions to help better protect your interests. We can assist with due diligence and recommend pre purchase and other inspections that you should consider before you enter binding contracts. We will explain any cooling-off rights under the contract and, when you are ready to move forward, organise an exchange of contracts and guide you through to settlement.

Following exchange of contracts, we make certain enquiries with relevant government departments to ensure the property is not adversely affected by any proposals, to establish whether the land has a land tax charge and determine rates outstanding to the council and water authority. We will ensure that water rates, council rates and strata levies are adjusted at settlement and will arrange for a mutually convenient time with the vendor and lender for settlement to occur.

Buying at Auction

If you are successful at an auction, you will need to exchange contracts on the day of the auction. There is no cooling-off period and after you exchange, you may be stuck with whatever terms and conditions are included in the contract at that time. For this reason, we recommend obtaining advice on the contract of sale and seeking any changes to terms ahead of the auction. Examples of common requested changes include variations to the length of the contract and the deposit sum required.

Selling a Residential Property

Vendors have certain obligations when selling residential property including the preparation of a written contract and the inclusion of certain disclosure material. The contract for sale must be available before marketing the property. Our Northern Beaches conveyancers and lawyers can explain your responsibilities as a seller, prepare the contract and obtain the relevant disclosure documents. We can also draft special conditions to suit your specific circumstances, for example, a longer or shorter settlement period.

Once a sale has been negotiated, we work closely with the agent to ensure exchange of contracts occurs as quickly as possible. After exchange, we will liaise with your lender, if relevant, so any mortgage can be discharged in time for settlement. We will ensure that water rates, council rates and any strata levies are adjusted at settlement before organising completion through the electronic conveyancing platform.

Family and other Property Transfers

Sometimes shares or interests in real estate are transferred without a standard sale/purchase transaction. There are various reasons for this, for example, when an owner or co-owner of real estate dies, or when a relationship breaks down and the parties have reached a property settlement or court orders have been made. Shares in property may also be transferred as part of your estate planning or to protect assets.

While the idea of transferring the whole or a share in property might seem simple, there are legal and financial implications to consider. The transfer of property can trigger tax and stamp duty liabilities, so it is essential to get the right advice up-front and complete the correct documentation.

Speak to a Northern Beaches Conveyancer Today

Our conveyancing and property lawyers on the Northern Beaches and lower North Shore can prepare the necessary documents for the assessment of transfer duty (or application for duty concession) and attend to registration of the transfer on your behalf. You may also want to consult your accountant to ensure that you understand any taxation and financial implications of the proposed transfer.

If you need assistance, contact one of our conveyancers or lawyers at [email protected] or call 02 9949 4022 for expert legal advice.