Burgess Thomson Lawyers

Buying Property

Property Law & Conveyancing

Property Purchase Lawyers in Newcastle

Buying property is one of the most stressful and expensive things you will ever do. So, it’s vital that you have a seasoned partner, proficient in property law and deeply familiar with the local area. Burgess Thomson, based in Newcastle, offers in-depth legal expertise, ensuring that your property purchasing journey is seamless, informed, and secure.

With Burgess Thomson, you gain a partner dedicated to your interests, ensuring every step in your property purchasing journey is well-informed and secure. Whether it’s reviewing an auction contract or guiding you through the exchange of contracts, our team is here to provide the support and expertise you need to make your property dreams a reality.

Stress-Free Auction Contract Reviews

Buying at auction can be a stressful process. There is a lot to organise within a short amount of time and the auctions are often competitive. When the hammer falls, the buyer is bound to the terms of the contract. Before you commit to buying property at auction, we strongly advise to have your contract reviewed first by a qualified, licensed and experienced conveyancer or conveyancing solicitor.

When we review the auction contract prior, we can request amendments and resolve any issues on your behalf before you buy the property. We specialise in:

  • Pre-Purchase Auction Contract Reviews: Detailed reviews to ensure you understand every term before the hammer falls.
  • Requesting Amendments: Proactive resolution of any issues and necessary amendments in the auction contract on your behalf before the purchase.
  • Informed Decision-Making: Empowering you with the clarity needed to commit to an auction contract confidently.

Find out more about how we can help Buying Property.

Why Choose Burgess Thomson as Your Property Purchase Lawyer?

Choosing Burgess Thomson means aligning with a dedicated and knowledgeable team committed to making your property buying experience as smooth as possible. Our approach is comprehensive, offering:

  • Expert Legal Advice: Insightful counsel from experienced conveyancers and solicitors familiar with the local area.
  • Strategic Guidance: Support and strategic advice from the start to the conclusion of the buying process.
  • In-depth Contract Reviews: Detailed examination of contracts for sale and purchase of land to ensure your interests are protected.

Contact us or request a quote to learn more about how our skilled lawyers in Newcastle can help you with buying a property.

We’re With You Every Step Of The Way

The first step is to start applying for a home loan and obtain a loan pre-approval.  Make sure you read everything thoroughly, from the pre-contractual statement which outlines the fees and charges to which you’ll be subject to the actual mortgage contract itself.  Remember you are entitled to legal advice and are under no obligation to sign anything on the spot.

Pre-Purchase Inspections

Once you have found a property you like, you will need to arrange a pre-purchase building inspection report and perhaps a pest inspection report.  These are written reports about the condition of the property and helps you find out any potentially costly problems.  You may be able to use this information to negotiate a reduction in the purchase price.  If you’re not sure who to trust to do this inspection, talk to us.  

If you are buying a strata title property, we also recommend you obtain a strata inspection report which reviews the status of the strata scheme, any upcoming special levies, issues with the building or current litigation.  It can help to ensure you are not exposed to any unforeseen expenses in the future.  We can arrange these reports on your behalf.

Making an Offer

Once you’re ready to proceed, make an offer. You might be asked to pay a small sum as an initial deposit, but this is fully refundable if you don’t end up signing the contract. It does not mean that the property is yours yet either, as the agent can take other offers and continue to market the property until contracts are unconditionally exchanged.

Signing the Contract

If your offer is accepted send the contract through to us so we can review it for you. There may be several things that can be negotiated in your favour, and you need to be absolutely clear on your rights and responsibilities before signing.

At this point, you’ll need to pay a deposit (usually 5 or 10%) that will be held by the real estate agent, unless you’d like us to negotiate a special condition on your behalf to pay the deposit by instalments or arrange a deposit bond.

Settlement

After the contract has become binding, we will have a number of tasks to perform such as:
  • Arranging payment of transfer duty
  • Liaising with the lender in regard to the mortgage
  • Checking with various government authorities to see if they have a vested interest in the property
  • Checking to see if there are any outstanding debts to local council or water board
  • Calculating adjustments for council, water and strata rates
  • Making final checks on the title

Settlement will take place via an electronic platform called PEXA, where the funds are transferred between the parties and the documents for the transfer of title are electronically lodged at Land Registry Services NSW. Do you have a specific property you’d like to buy? Speak to us to find out how we can help.
Arrange a consultation with experienced Lawyers in Newcastle

GEt In TOUCH

Please fill in the form below and we will be in touch shortly.

Operating Hours

The Burgess Thomson office will be closed on ANZAC Day, Thursday, 25th April.

We value your enquiries and messages and will address them as soon as we return.

We’ll be ready to assist you and respond to your enquiries at 8.30am on
Friday, 26th April. Thank you for your understanding.