Frequently Asked Questions

At a minimum, we recommend the following searches for a property purchase:

1. Land Tax Search
2. Rates Search
3. Special Meter Reading Search
4. Main Roads Search
5. Title Plan Search
6. Title Search (if not received from agency)

If the property is part of a Body Corporate, the following additional searches are advisable:

1. Information Certificate
2. Certificate of Currency

For specific suburbs, it’s also recommended to conduct a Contaminated Land Search.

If the property is associated with a company, an ASIC Extraction Search is necessary for comprehensive information.

Please note that these searches provide crucial information about the property’s status and potential liabilities, ensuring a well-informed purchasing decision.

If you choose not to pay for property searches, you may be taking a significant risk. Property searches provide essential information about the property, including any outstanding debts, potential issues, or legal obligations. Without these searches, you might be unaware of hidden problems, which could lead to significant financial or legal complications in the future. It’s highly advisable to invest in these searches to make an informed and secure property purchase decision.

While getting title insurance is not a legal requirement, it is highly recommended when purchasing a property. Title insurance provides protection against potential issues related to the property’s title, such as undisclosed liens, legal disputes, or errors in public records.

Having title insurance can safeguard your investment and protect you from financial losses that might occur due to these unforeseen issues. It offers peace of mind, ensuring that you have clear ownership of the property without any legal complications. Therefore, while not mandatory, obtaining title insurance is a prudent and advisable choice for any property buyer.

While it might seem like a way to save money, relying solely on sellers to provide utilities information can be risky. Sellers may not have up-to-date or complete information, and you might miss crucial details needed for a thorough understanding of the property’s status.

Professional property searches, including land tax, rates, special meter readings, and other essential checks, are conducted to ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of the property’s financial and legal aspects. Relying solely on seller-provided information may lead to overlooking critical details, potentially resulting in unforeseen issues and financial losses in the future.

Investing in professional property searches is a wise decision, providing you with accurate, reliable, and complete information about the property you are purchasing. It ensures you make informed decisions and helps avoid complications down the line.

Here’s the information about the different purchase packages:

Bronze Package: This package covers the standard professional fee. Please note that additional costs for searches, outlays, and settlement fees are not included in this package.

Silver Package: This package offers a more comprehensive option. It includes the professional fee and settlement fee. Additionally, it covers the following searches:

• Land Tax Search
• Rates Search
• Special Meter Reading Search
• Main Roads Search
• Title Plan Search

Gold Package: The Gold package is an all-inclusive option, encompassing everything from the Silver package. Additionally, it covers:

• Our fees if a deed of variation or deed of recission is required
• Body Corporate Searches
• Title Insurance Quote
• Assistance from an Insurance Broker for insurance requirements
• Assistance from a Utilities Connection Company via phone call

Each package provides varying levels of service, allowing you to select based on your specific requirements and preferences.

In Queensland, changing or removing a name from a contract typically involves a formal process and may not be straightforward. It generally requires the consent of all parties involved, including both the buyer and seller, and often necessitates legal documentation such as Deeds to be amended. It’s crucial to consult with a qualified legal professional or a conveyancer to navigate the legal procedures and ensure compliance with Queensland’s property laws and regulations. Making changes to a contract without proper legal guidance can lead to stamp duty complications such as double stamp duty being owed and may not be enforceable.

In a typical property transaction, the deposit is paid by the buyer as a show of good faith and commitment to the purchase. The payment usually occurs after the contract of sale is signed and is held in trust until the settlement day. The deposit payment location is often specified in the contract terms. It’s advisable to clarify these details with your real estate agent, conveyancer, or legal representative to ensure a smooth and secure payment process. Please note that the exact requirements may vary based on the terms outlined in your specific contract.

Yes, it is prudent to conduct a smoke alarm inspection, even if the contract indicates the presence of compliant smoke alarms. While the agreement may state that the property has appropriate smoke alarms, it is crucial to confirm their proper functioning and overall condition. Regular inspections are necessary to validate their operational status, ensure functional batteries, and confirm adherence to safety standards. Ensuring the smoke alarms’ functionality is vital for occupants’ safety and to comply with local regulations. It is advisable to schedule routine inspections to ensure the smoke alarms’ effectiveness during emergencies. If the property is found non-compliant with smoke alarm laws after settlement, you won’t be able to claim the 0.15% of the purchase price for failure to comply.

Yes, it is highly recommended to have insurance on the property before settlement, especially if you are using an REIQ (Real Estate Institute of Queensland) contract. Clause 8.1 in the REIQ contract specifies that the property is at the buyer’s risk from 5 pm of the first business day. This means that any damage or loss that occurs to the property after this time would be the buyer’s responsibility. Having insurance in place ensures that you are protected in case of unforeseen events or damages before the settlement is finalized.

Yes, you may be required to pay Transfer Duty at settlement. Transfer Duty, also known as stamp duty, is a tax imposed by the government on the transfer of property from one person to another. The amount of Transfer Duty you need to pay typically depends on the property’s purchase price or market value and how you intend to use the property. This tax obligation must be settled during the property transfer process to avoid any potential legal issues.

It’s essential to ensure that if you owe Transfer Duty, it is paid at settlement to avoid further penalties and interest charges. Make sure to factor in Transfer Duty costs when budgeting for your property purchase to avoid any surprises at settlement.

If you don’t understand a document, question, request, or have any questions, it is important to take the following steps:

1. Read Carefully: First, carefully read the document or question in its entirety. Sometimes, reviewing the information multiple times can provide clarity.
2. Ask for Clarification: If you still have questions or find the content confusing, do not hesitate to ask for clarification. Reach out to the person or entity that provided the document or question. They can explain the content and address any concerns you may have.
3. Seek Assistance: If the document is related to a legal matter, consider seeking legal advice. A qualified attorney can review the document, explain its implications, and advise you on the appropriate course of action.

If you do not request further clarification, ask questions, or state you are not understanding, your conveyancer will not know to explain in more detail. Please note the Conveyancer is unable to make any decisions on your behalf.

Remember, it’s crucial to fully understand any document you are asked to sign or any question you are required to answer, especially in legal or financial matters. Don’t hesitate to seek help to ensure you make informed decisions.

Yes, it’s highly advisable to read all of the paperwork thoroughly. Understanding the details of the documents, terms, and conditions ensures that you are fully aware of the transaction process, rights, and responsibilities, leading to a smooth and informed property transaction.

No, you are only required to return the pages that need information to be completed and signed.

Ensuring the security of your bank account details is a priority in real estate transactions. To guarantee secure receipt:

1. Verification Call: Your conveyancer will conduct a verification call with you to confirm your account details verbally.
2. Confirmation of Instructions: The account details provided will be cross-checked against your confirmation of instructions and authorization forms.
3. No Transfer Without Verification: Funds will not be transferred until your conveyancer successfully verifies your account details through the confirmation call and documentation.

This meticulous verification process ensures that your bank account information is received and processed securely, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or errors in financial transactions.

A VOI, or Verification of Identity, is a process used in conveyancing transactions to confirm a person’s identity. It is a crucial step to prevent fraud and ensure the parties involved are genuine.

Yes, all buyers listed in the property transaction are required to complete a Verification of Identity (VOI). This process ensures the authenticity of the involved parties and helps prevent fraud in real estate transactions. Please consult your conveyancer or legal representative for specific requirements applicable to your situation.

If you fail to complete your VOI (Verification of Identity) or return your Authorisation documents during a property transaction, it can lead to significant issues, delays in the process or termination of representation. Completing the VOI and providing necessary authorisation documents are essential steps in verifying your identity and ensuring the legality of the transaction.

1. Delays in Processing: Failure to complete your VOI or provide authorisation documents can cause delays in the processing of your real estate transaction. This delay can impact the entire timeline of the sale or purchase.
2. Legal Compliance: VOI is a legal requirement to prevent fraud and adhere to regulatory guidelines. Failing to comply might result in your transaction not meeting legal standards, which could lead to complications or even cancellation of the deal or termination of representation.
3. Risk of Identity Theft: Providing accurate identity verification is crucial for your security. Failure to complete the VOI process might expose you to the risk of identity theft or unauthorized transactions in your name.
4. Impact on Settlement: Incomplete or delayed VOI and authorization documents can affect the settlement process. We are unable to settle the property without receiving the VOI and cauthorisation documents which could place you in breach of contract giving your buyers the rights to terminate the contract and claim damages and compensation.
5. Possible Contract Termination: Depending on the terms outlined in the contract, the other party may have the right to terminate the agreement if you fail to fulfill the requirement of completing the VOI or providing necessary authorization documents.

It’s essential to promptly and accurately complete your VOI and provide all required authorization documents to ensure the smooth progress of your real estate transaction, comply with legal regulations, and protect your interests in the process.

Adjustments at settlement refer to the calculations made to ensure that both the buyer and the seller are responsible for their fair share of property-related expenses. These adjustments are necessary because certain costs, such as property taxes, utility bills, and council rates, are typically paid in advance for specific periods.

During settlement, these prepaid expenses are adjusted between the buyer and the seller based on the actual settlement date. For example, if the seller has paid property taxes for the entire year but sells the property halfway through the year, the buyer will reimburse the seller for the portion of the taxes that apply after the settlement date.

The reason buyers don’t pay the exact purchase price without adjustments is to ensure fairness and accuracy in the distribution of costs related to the property. Adjustments prevent either party from paying more or less than their fair share of expenses, making the transaction equitable for both buyer and seller. These adjustments are calculated during the settlement process to reflect the actual period for which these expenses apply, ensuring a balanced financial arrangement for both parties involved in the property transaction.

Your conveyancer will typically inform you of the exact amount of money needed for settlement, usually a minimum of 1 business day prior to the settlement date. They calculate this amount by considering factors such as the purchase price, government taxes (like Transfer Duty or stamp duty), legal fees, and any additional costs associated with the property transaction.

Conveyancers cannot calculate the amount owed for settlement until they have received:

• All relevant searches from Councils, Utilities, and Body Corporates.
• Confirmation from your financier (bank) regarding the amount available from them for settlement, and your loan documents have been completed, signed, and returned to the financier.
• All your completed documents, including Confirmation of instructions, WEB VOI, and other government forms related to Transfer Duty.

If any of these documents are not yet received, it can cause delays in the Conveyancer being able to calculate the final figure required.

It’s advisable to maintain regular communication with your conveyancer throughout the process. They will provide you with a breakdown of all expenses and the timeline for payment, ensuring you have ample time to arrange the necessary funds before the settlement date. Being proactive in providing any required information or documents to your conveyancer is crucial to facilitating a smooth and timely settlement process.

No, it is not advisable to satisfy your building and pest inspection requirement without conducting an actual inspection. Building and pest inspections are crucial steps in the property purchasing process. They help identify potential structural issues, pest infestations, or other problems that might not be visible to the naked eye. Relying on a proper inspection conducted by qualified professionals provides you with accurate information about the property’s condition. This information is essential for making an informed decision about the purchase and can save you from unexpected expenses and problems in the future. Therefore, it is highly recommended to conduct a thorough building and pest inspection before finalizing any property transaction.

You should pay the money for your settlement as advised by your conveyancer. The method of payment and where to send the funds will depend on whether you have authorized your financier to access the shortfall directly from your account or if the funds need to be transferred to the conveyancer’s trust account. Your conveyancer will provide specific instructions to ensure a smooth settlement process. It’s important to follow their guidance carefully to avoid any delays or complications in the transaction.

The deposit was not refunded to the buyer after settlement because it was included as part of the purchase price in the settlement statement. In such cases, the deposit is considered part of the total payment made for the property and is not returned separately to the buyer.