4 Questions To Ask Your Conveyancer

Law Blog

When buying a home, a conveyancer will help you navigate the legal process of property transfer. Choosing a conveyancer can be a nerve-wracking affair. The extract below discusses a few questions to ask your conveyancer. Hopefully, it will help you choose an appropriate professional and increase your understanding of the conveyancing process. 

1. Where Are You Based? 

It is a critical concern when hiring a conveyancer over the internet. Ideally, the conveyancer should be based in your area. It guarantees that they understand the property laws that apply to your transaction. A locally based conveyancer will charge cheaper since they do not need to travel for long distances to view the property. Additionally, they will shorten the conveyancing process since they often have long term relationships with local council officials. 

2. Do You Have Liability Insurance? 

Most people forget to ask whether the conveyancer has a professional liability cover. While this is not mandatory, it is a requirement since the conveyancer could commit errors that could lead to legal or financial liabilities in the future. For instance, take a case where the conveyancer forgot to assess the contract of sale, and you end up buying a property with severe land contamination. The insurance cover will compensate you for such losses. 

3. What Services Do You Offer? 

The lawyer should offer the following services: 

  • Due diligence to establish the history of the property and establish the authenticity of property documents.
  • A property appraisal to ensure that the property is reasonably priced. If not, the professional will bargain the asking price.
  • A property inspection to determine the condition of structural features and any repairs that the house could need.
  • The conveyancer will negotiate the terms of sale on your behalf. Additionally, they will go through the contract of sale and explain its conditions before your sign the document.

4. How Much Do You Charge?

Although most conveyancers price their services competitively, the charges vary based on the type of property you intend to purchase and the conveyancer's experience and reputation. When evaluating the conveyancer's price structure, one of your concerns should be the extra and hidden charges. These fees could significantly increase the final charge. For this reason, you should ask the conveyancer to use a fixed pricing policy. Some conveyancers also offer a no-deal-no-fee arrangement. It prevents you from incurring conveyancing fees until you buy the property. 

When hiring a conveyancer, assess their area of operation, whether they have professional liability insurance, the services they provide and their charges. 

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22 June 2021

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