The rules and regulations around buying are ever changing, which is why it’s important to speak to your conveyancer early on. We’re here to make the process as seamless as possible, and as the largest Adelaide conveyancing firm, we always have someone available to help. We answer frequently asked questions about buying and selling a property and if you need any further help, just give us a call on 08 8366 7900.
Yes, engaging a conveyancer early on in your property search is highly recommended. By choosing Eckermann Conveyancers Adelaide, you’ll receive expert assistance throughout the entire conveyancing transaction. Our team of professionals specialises in property transactions, ensuring a smooth property purchase and seamless collaboration with real estate agents. If you engage Eckermann Conveyancers we can assist you with the following:
We can help you with property settlement, preparing and clarifying legal documents, transferring ownership, and managing all aspects of property conveyancing. We provide efficient service and legal expertise, working closely with real estate agents to facilitate successful real estate transactions. Our team’s extensive knowledge of property law, land divisions, and pre-contract advice ensures a streamlined legal process.
Eckermann Conveyancers Adelaide are well-versed in handling complex property transactions, including property sales, purchases, and land divisions. We offer comprehensive legal services to guide you through the property transaction process and safeguard your interests. Our friendly and approachable team will review your contract of sale, conduct thorough research on the property and its certificate of title, and help you update your title details as needed.
By entrusting your property transaction to Eckermann Conveyancers Adelaide, you can have confidence in our ability to navigate the complexities of property law, provide invaluable pre-contract advice, and deliver a stress-free, efficient experience.
It’s never too early to engage a conveyancer. In fact, the sooner you do it the better. They can assist with reviewing contracts and your Form 1 as well as stepping you through the conveyancing process so you know what to expect and when. There are a few things to know before buying or selling a house in Australia and a good conveyancer can advise you in this regard so that you’re completely prepared.
Engaging a conveyancer early in the conveyancing process is highly beneficial, as their expertise can guide you through each stage of a conveyancing transaction. By involving a conveyancer from the beginning, you ensure that your real estate agent and the Eckermanns team work cohesively to prepare legal documents, facilitate property transfer, and safeguard your best interests.
Whether you are buying or selling a house in Australia, a proficient conveyancer can inform you of the essential aspects to consider, ensuring you are well-prepared for each step. By engaging a conveyancer early, you can rely on their expertise to navigate the complexities of the conveyancing process, allowing you to focus on finding the perfect property or maximising your property sale.
When you are buying a property, there are a number of fees involved for which you need to be prepared. Each case can be slightly different due to individual circumstances, but here’s a general list of the costs of buying a house.
You can also use your purchase price to estimate some of the fees using the Land Services Online Transfer Fee Calculator.
Other than the price of the property itself, your biggest upfront cost as a purchaser is usually stamp duty. This can vary from state to state, and there are also some concessions available depending on who you are and what you’re buying. You can use the price of the property to gauge an estimate on the stamp duty using the Revenue SA Stamp Duty Calculator.
There are also government fees such as Land Services SA Registration which are $204.00 per document. (e.g. if there is a new mortgage registration).
Your bank may charge an application fee, an annual fee and possibly a valuation fee. There may also be document preparation fees. Make sure you ask about what these fees are and when they need to be paid—are they one-off or ongoing?
Your conveyancer will charge a professional fee to handle your settlement. Be sure to ask what is included. Does it cover liaison with your lender, verification of identify requirements, discussion and advice, checking your contract and Form 1 preparation?
As part of settlement, you need to reimburse the seller for any rates they have already paid in advance, the benefit of which will transfer to you as the new owner. There will likely be an adjustment of council rates. This varies on the value of the property and where it is located but will likely be between $1,000.00 to $3,000.00.
When you buy a property, you need to reimburse the vendor for any community or strata fees that they have paid in advance. You can request an estimate early on in the negotiations. It’s then your job to pay these fees each year.
PEXA is the electronic conveyancing platform used in South Australia. PEXA charges $146.30 for a single transfer. If a new mortgage registration is required, the PEXA fee for Registration of Mortgage is $74.14.
Buying a property can feel stressful and complicated, especially as a first home buyer. But when you engage a conveyancer, they can help guide you through the process and answer any of your questions along the way.
So, what are the stages of buying a property? To get you started, we’ve put together some steps in buying a house.
Learn more:
Before the hunt for a house begins, you need to ensure you have all your finances in order. This includes:
Once you’re financially ready to buy a property, you need to start looking. This is when you can start researching the location and exploring what’s currently on offer.
Soon enough, you’ll find your dream home and want to start negotiating. Which means you’ll need to:
Settlement day is fast approaching! This is when the property title is transferred into your name and your mortgage begins. Your solicitor or conveyancer will help you finalise the settlement and then you get the keys to your brand new house.
You will also need to pay the stamp duty within 30 days of the settlement date.
Learn more: what happens on settlement day
It’s advisable to insure your property as soon as you sign your contract. This is very important. Once you move in, you’ll also need to make arrangements for contents insurance.
When buying a home, there are many inherent risks which may affect your ownership. Title insurance is a specialised type of insurance that provides a buyer with protection against certain unknown and hidden risks which may exist at the time of purchase.
Our team of experts have over 50 years in the industry and are here to help you in every step of buying. Complete the form below and someone from our friendly team will be in touch.
Remember, you can also access Eckermann Assist after hours and over the weekend if you have a question outside our office hours. And once we are working for you, you can take advantage of our Eckermann Select Service to make the moving process easier for you.
Buying a property is a big commitment, but it’s also one of the best types of investment you can make. Long-term, house prices generally rise and in the meantime, instead of paying money in rent (which you’ll never see again), you’re chipping away at your home loan so that you own more and more of your home outright.
With the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme in South Australia, it is possible to buy a house with a $10,000 deposit. However, you must meet the eligibility criteria.
Generally, you will need to save 20% of the sale price of a house for a deposit. However, there are grants available in South Australia (such as the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme or First Home Buyer Grant), where you can have a deposit as little as 5%.
Yes. A conveyancer can explain your rights, review key contractual terms and help you understand any risks associated with the purchase before you sign.
Under the proposed reforms, purchasers may be given the right to rescind a contract if material changes are made and would need to be notified within 14 days of those changes occurring.
The Government has proposed retrospective application to some existing off-the-plan contracts that remain active when the legislation commences. Whether this occurs will depend on the final legislation passed by Parliament.
No. As of September 2026, the South Australian Government has announced it will consult on the proposed reforms. The legislation is not yet in force.
For more than 50 years, Eckermann Conveyancers has helped South Australians navigate property transactions with confidence. As South Australia’s largest conveyancing firm and a trusted name in property transactions, we’re committed to keeping buyers informed about changes that may impact their property ownership journey. The South Australian Government has recently announced proposed reforms aimed at … Continued
Understanding Conveyancing in South Australia Whether you’re purchasing a suburban home in Adelaide or a working farm on the Eyre Peninsula, the legal process of transferring property ownership involves conveyancing. But residential conveyancing in South Australia and rural conveyancing are not the same thing. The transaction type, property use, documentation requirements, and risk profile can … Continued
Australia’s property market is about to experience a notable policy shift. From 10 August 2026, Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) will no longer be able to enter into new Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements (LRBAs) to purchase residential property. While SMSFs can still buy residential property outright, the ability to leverage borrowing within superannuation for residential acquisitions … Continued
Last night the Federal Government delivered a landmark Budget for housing, introducing major changes to how property investment is taxed. While the reforms are national, their impact will be felt differently across markets including here in South Australia. The changes outlined below are proposed by the Government, and subject to being passed by both houses … Continued
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