Conveyancing

Contract of Sale – Reading the Fine Print:

Contract of Sale – Reading the Fine Print:

The most important part of the conveyancing process begins before you even sign the Contract of Sale for the property and it’s something many buyers fail to consider. It’s the simple task of reading the contract in detail and having it reviewed by your solicitor. 

Contract of Sale – The Warning Statement:

Contract of Sale – The Warning Statement:

The state of property law in Queensland is about to be shaken up as a raft of new legislation comes into effect from 1 December 2014. This new legislation will have drastic changes on the conveyancing process, especially in the construction of the contract of sale for residential property.

Contract of Sale – The Cooling-Off Period:

Contract of Sale – The Cooling-Off Period:

When purchasing a residential property in Queensland (other than at an auction), the standard contract of sale provides the buyer with a five day cooling-off period, during which time the buyer is free to cancel the contract at any time, for any reason, including a change of mind.

Contract of Sale – Insuring the Property:

Contract of Sale – Insuring the Property:

As soon as you sign that contract to buy a property there are a whole host of things that need to be done and considered. One of these things that is often overlooked, but really should be at the top of your to-do list is the issue of insurance.

Contract Conditions – Pool Safety Certificates:

Contract Conditions – Pool Safety Certificates:

Queensland has some of the strictest laws in Australia when it comes to the regulation of swimming pools and they become especially relevant when it comes to buying or selling a property with a pool, whether it is a non-shared pool, or a shared pool. 

Contract Conditions – Smoke Alarm Requirements:

Contract Conditions – Smoke Alarm Requirements:

In Queensland it is compulsory for all properties to have compliant smoke alarms installed. The standard contract of sale in Queensland contains a smoke alarm section that the Seller is required to complete prior to the buyer signing the contract, stating whether the property is fitted with smoke alarms.

Contract Conditions – Electrical Safety Switch Requirements:

Contract Conditions – Electrical Safety Switch Requirements:

An electrical safety switch is designed to protect a person from the most frequent cause of electrocution, which is electrical current passing through the body to earth. A safety switch is designed to cut the supply of electricity to the property in a fraction of a second.

Contract Conditions – Pest & Building Inspections:

Contract Conditions – Pest & Building Inspections:

If you’re considering buying a property in Queensland then you should be aware that under the standard contract of sale there is a clause for a pest & building inspection to be carried out on the property prior to settlement.

Contract Conditions – Finance Applications:

Contract Conditions – Finance Applications:

The conveyancing process is very deadline driven and there are strict penalties that apply if you are late meeting a deadline or miss it. One of these deadlines is the finance clause. In most cases when buying a property, you will require finance in the form of a mortgage from a lender.

Property Searches – What are They?

Property Searches – What are They?

After you sign a contract of sale for the purchase of a property, one of your first tasks will be to find a property lawyer to manage the conveyancing process for you. When you’re ringing around various law firms to get a quote on this conveyancing you will often hear the term ‘searches’; but what are these searches?