Signing a property contract is one of the biggest steps in buying or selling a home, and it binds both sides once it is complete. A little preparation beforehand makes everything that follows much smoother. These conveyancing tips cover what to check, what to ask and what to keep, so you move into exchange and settlement with clear expectations and a good understanding of the terms in front of you. Whether you are buying your first home, upgrading or selling an investment, the same checks apply.
Essential Conveyancing Tips Before Signing
Contracts can look long and technical, but a few focused checks cover most of what matters. Work through the seven tips below before you sign anything. This article is general information, and your conveyancer can advise on the rules that apply to your state and your property.
Get a Pre-Signing Contract Review
Have a conveyancer read the contract before you sign, not after. The review covers the contract itself and the documents attached to it, such as the vendor’s statement in Victoria or the certificates and title details in NSW. A conveyancer explains special conditions in plain language, checks the title details and any easements or council notices, points out anything unusual and can ask the other side to adjust terms before the contract is final. Reviewing early also means you can bid at auction or make an offer knowing exactly what the contract says.
Many people send the contract over as soon as they receive it, which leaves plenty of time for questions. It also helps to prepare a short list of your own priorities, such as a preferred settlement date or an item you hope to keep with the property, so the conveyancer can check that the contract reflects them. If the sale is by auction, the contract is usually available beforehand, and a review before auction day lets you set your limit with confidence.
Verify Full Legal Names
Names on the contract need to match your photo ID and, for sellers, the certificate of title exactly. Check first, middle and last names, spelling and any recent name changes. If you are buying with someone else, decide how you will hold the property. Joint tenants and tenants in common are different ownership structures with different results, and your conveyancer can explain both. A name that matches everywhere keeps transfer paperwork and bank documents moving without delays. It is also worth confirming that your address, contact details and the correct purchaser or seller entity appear on the contract, whether you are signing as an individual, a couple, a company or a trust. Taking a few minutes to check now avoids amendments later.
Check Finance and Inspection Contingencies
Conditions such as subject to finance, or subject to a building and pest inspection, give you time to confirm the essentials. Check which conditions are included, how long each one lasts and what you need to do to satisfy it. Book inspections and speak with your lender as early as possible, so reports and approvals come back with time to spare. If a condition has a deadline, add it to your calendar. Conditions can differ between an auction and a private sale, so your conveyancer can confirm what applies to your purchase. Lenders usually need the signed contract to complete their valuation, so sending it promptly keeps the approval on track. For inspections, many buyers choose a qualified building inspector and a pest inspector who provide written reports, giving a clear record of the property’s condition at the time you buy.
Confirm Included Chattels and Fixtures
Fixtures, such as light fittings, built-in wardrobes and fixed heating, generally stay with the property. Chattels, such as freestanding appliances, curtains and pool equipment, are movable items that only stay if the contract says so. Walk through the property with the contract in hand and list what you expect to remain. Anything you want should be named in the contract, and anything the seller plans to take can be noted as well. Photographs taken at the inspection are a handy reference. If you spot an item such as a dishwasher, a rangehood or garden sheds that you would like included, raise it with the agent before signing so it can be written into the contract. Clear lists at this stage keep the final inspection simple.
Understand Deposit and Settlement Timelines
The deposit is commonly around 10 per cent of the purchase price, paid at a time set out in the contract and often held in a trust account until settlement. Check the amount, the date it is due and how it is paid, and keep proof of the transfer. Settlement is the day ownership transfers, often between 30 and 90 days after exchange, although the contract can set a different date. Match that date with your lender, your removalist and the end of any lease, so each piece fits together. A clear timeline helps everyone plan. If you are selling and buying at the same time, ask your conveyancer about aligning both settlement dates, since matching the two keeps moving day simple. Having funds ready, including stamp duty and any transfer costs, makes settlement day relaxed and well organised.
Track Key Dates and Deadlines
Contracts run on dates: the end of any cooling-off period, the finance approval date, the inspection deadline, the deposit due date and settlement. Write them in a single list and set reminders a few days ahead. Cooling-off rules differ by state and by the way the property is sold, so ask your conveyancer whether one applies to you. Share the list with your lender and agent, and mark the date you plan to book the final inspection before settlement. When everyone works from the same dates, the process feels organised from start to finish. A calendar with alerts on your phone, plus a printed copy on the fridge, is a simple way to keep everyone in the household on the same page.
Keep Complete Records
Keep a folder, paper or digital, for the whole transaction. Save the signed contract, the vendor’s statement or certificates, receipts for the deposit, inspection reports, finance approvals and emails with the agent. Name files clearly and include dates, so any document can be found in seconds. If a question comes up later about a condition, a payment or what was agreed about the chattels, the record has the answer. Your conveyancer can add the settlement documents when they arrive, which gives you a complete file for tax time and future sales. Keep the folder for as long as you own the property, because those documents are useful for renovations, insurance and future resale.
Conclusion
Signing with confidence comes down to preparation: a contract review, matching names, clear conditions, a list of inclusions, a timeline and good records. We at Easy Link Conveyancing help buyers and sellers across Victoria and NSW through each stage of a property transaction, from contract review to settlement. You can call 1800 327 954 to request a quote and have your contract reviewed before you sign. Our team is ready to explain each step in plain language and answer your questions along the way.