Buying a house can be a fun but also a frustrating venture, especially if you’re a first-time home buyer in Australia. However, navigating the intricacies of the property market doesn’t have to be an overwhelming process. A little knowledge and good advisors can go a long way to making life easier. Our conveyancers demystify the steps of buying a property, providing invaluable insights into “how to buy a house” and helpful tips especially if you are buying your first home. If you are a first home buyer it’s essential that you’re well-informed and ready to make informed decisions, as things can ..read more

Every homeowner in Australia wants to ensure they can get top dollar when selling their property. Even though market factors play a part in setting property values, homeowners can do many things to increase the value of their properties by following our 10 ways to boost its worth. #1 is one that almost everyone should be familiar with: Location, Location, Location: Proximity to city centres, quality schools, public transport hubs, beaches and shopping hubs all play a significant role in determining property values. Contrarily, being situated near busy roads or having poor access can tarnish y ..read more

Understanding Section 32’s in Victoria: A guide for property buyers & sellers Are you navigating the complexities of property transactions in Melbourne or Greater Victoria? A crucial document you’ll encounter is the Section 32, also known as the Vendor’s Statement. Our conveyancers explain the Section 32, highlighting its importance in the conveyancing process and how it impacts both buyers and sellers.  What is a Section 32? A Section 32 (s32) is a mandatory legal document in Victoria, akin to a comprehensive report or disclosure statement for real estate transactions. Originating fr ..read more

It can be confusing to learn all the real estate jargon when buying or selling a property. Our conveyancers explain some of the commonly used terms in property auctions. What do they mean? Auctioneer: The person who conducts the auction, accepts bids, and announces the property as sold to the highest bidder. Reserve price: The minimum price that the seller is willing to accept for the property. The reserve price is set before the auction and is not disclosed to the bidders. Vendor bids: A bid made by the auctioneer on behalf of the seller to increase the bidding or reach the reserve price. Pro ..read more

Great news for First Home buyers with today’s announcement from the Queensland Government. The First Home Owner Grant is being doubled and is now $30,000 for eligible first-time home buyers. The boost to the grant takes effect from Monday, 20 November 2023 until 30 June 2025. Are you eligible for the First Home Owner Grant in Queensland? The eligibility for this grant is specific. It applies to individuals: purchasing or building a new home valued at less than $750,000 (including land and any contract variations); aged 18 years or older; and have not previously owned a residential property in ..read more

Buying Off the Plan Whether you are a first home buyer or property investor, buying a property off the plan is a great option for many Australians and foreign investors. There are several benefits to purchasing a property off the plan that buyers should be aware of. Getting advice and being informed before you buy is important when buying any property especially a house or apartment off the plan.    Benefits of Buying off-the-plan Potential for Capital Growth One of the well-known benefits of buying off the plan is that buyers can secure a property at today’s price and there is poten ..read more

What is a property valuation? In its simplest form, the value of a property is essentially what someone is willing to pay for it. It’s important when entering negotiations to buy a property to have a rough estimate of its value. A property valuation provides a comprehensive report detailing a property’s market value. Usually, a rough valuation guide is done by comparing recent sales of similar properties. You need to know the property market and local area to ensure that you are comparing apples with apples. There can be a big discrepancy between two houses value on the same street. So, it is ..read more

If you are wanting to find out who owns a particular parcel of land, a property search of the Government records is required to reveal the property ownership details. There are several types of property searches and a title search is the one that provides core information about a property. A title search includes information about the ownership, lot and plan, mortgages or encumbrances such as easements or covenants on the property.   With other property searches you check mortgage registrations, detailed easements, covenants, plans and historical property information. If you need to ..read more

We explain the steps involved and what to look out for when selling a house with a mortgage. When you buy a house using finance, from a bank or other lender, the bank registers a mortgage on the certificate of title. This is because the property you purchase acts as the security the bank takes when they lend money. The mortgage gives the lender the right to sell the property if you default on the loan. A title cannot be transferred or amended without the mortgage being removed or ‘discharged’ as it is commonly referred to. If it is an amendment the mortgagee provides their consent. The bank ho ..read more

Different Manners of holding explained when buying a home If you are purchasing a property with another person you will be asked how you want to hold the property. This is also called the manner of holding. The manner of holding is noted on the certificate of title of your property. As joint owners, you may own the property as joint tenants or tenants in common. This applies to all types of properties. It is important to understand the difference, because to make a change later is costly and could unintended consequences. One main consideration is whether you want the property to be included i ..read more