Are you considering purchasing a property in Melbourne or Brisbane in 2021? There’s a lot to take into account when you invest in real estate, but a professional conveyancer can help to streamline the process and ensure you are able to avoid the pitfalls and headaches. Wondering what the difference is between a solicitor and conveyancer, and which one you should hire to assist you? Here’s what you need to know.
The process of buying property can be tricky to navigate from a legal perspective, so it’s worth engaging a professional to assist you through the property settlement process. Both solicitors and conveyancers can help you with the legal aspects of buying or selling real estate, but there are subtle differences between the two professions.
A solicitor is generally a little more expensive than a conveyancer because they are able to offer the full range of legal services, whereas a conveyancer is specialized in property, but won’t necessarily be able to assist with more complex legal concerns. A conveyancer is trained specifically to handle the transfer of property and will be able to offer legal advice and provide legal work to ensure the transfer of ownership goes smoothly.
Basically, this means that you can hire either a conveyancer or a solicitor to handle your title transfer, so long as they are qualified and licensed to do the job. Whether you choose to engage a solicitor or conveyancer depends on your legal needs, how complicated your purchase/sale/transfer is likely to be, and the value of the property in question.
The nature of a conveyancer’s work does vary between Australian states and territories, with settlement terms differing slightly between Brisbane and Melbourne. From a general perspective, it involves preparing or reviewing documents and sales contracts in the case of someone purchasing or selling a property. It might sound straightforward, but when it comes to navigating a straightforward transference of ownership of property, there is a significant amount of work involved. An experienced solicitor or conveyancer will be able to assist clients with:
- Handling, inspecting and producing contracts;
- Offering legal advice;
- Conducting local council searches;
- Researching the title of the property;
- Calculating taxes;
- Liaising with the bank, vendors, purchasers, or agents on your behalf;
- Overseeing the final settlement;
- Dealing with Land Registry Services, and
- Transferring your money to pay for the property.
- For more information about Jim’s Conveyancing Brisbane, or here for information about Jim’s Conveyancing in Brisbane. Or for expert advice on property conveyancing services in Australia, please contact our friendly and experienced staff on 13 15 46.
When to engage a solicitor
As a more general legal expert, a solicitor will be able to assist with conveyancing, although it is worth checking that hold a law practising certificate and have the experience and knowledge required to guide you with the conveyancing process. A solicitor tends to be more expensive than a conveyancer, as they can offer broader legal advice and have a broader area of expertise.
When to engage a conveyancer
A conveyancer is specifically trained and qualified to manage the transfer of property from one person or entity to another. A conveyancer is able to give professional legal advice on title transfers as well as conduct legal work to ensure your purchase or sale runs smoothly.
Can I do my own conveyancing?
Technically, yes, but there are many pitfalls and the volume of work is considerable. It’s best to engage a professional, rather than wasting your time and potentially landing yourself in a legal mess.
Click here for more information about Jim’s Conveyancing Melbourne, or here for information about Jim’s Conveyancing in Brisbane. Or for expert advice on property conveyancing services in Australia, please contact our friendly and experienced staff on 13 15 46.
