How to choose a conveyancer: A guide for home buyers in Adelaide and South Australia

Buying or selling property is a major financial decision. Navigating the legal process of transferring ownership can feel overwhelming. This is especially true if you are unfamiliar with property law and the settlement process. This is where choosing the right conveyancer becomes crucial.

A good conveyancer plays a key role in ensuring a smooth settlement, handling the legal documents, liaising with real estate agents, and managing communication with your bank, mortgage broker or financial institution.. The right professional can help you understand complex legal jargon, avoid costly mistakes, and guide you through the process with confidence.

As the largest conveyancing firm in South Australia, Eckermann has assisted countless home buyers and sellers in navigating property transactions. Based on our experience, we’ve created this guide to help you understand how to choose a conveyancer, what to look for in their conveyancing service, and why working with a licensed professional can make all the difference.

To choose a conveyancer right for you, it’s important to know what they do

If you’re unsure about how to choose a conveyancer, it helps to first understand what they do. A conveyancing solicitor or conveyancer plays a key role in managing the legal work involved in property transactions. They liaise with real estate agents, banks, mortgage brokers or financial institutions, and other parties to ensure everything is in order before settlement day.

Some of the critical tasks your conveyancing service will handle include:

• Reviewing legal documents, including the contract of sale and Form 1, to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Checking cooling-off provisions and other conditions that may impact your property ownership.
• Confirming that any existing mortgages will be discharged before the property is transferred.
• Conducting searches for caveats on the property and advising if you need one to protect your interests.
• Ensuring stamp duty and other costs incurred are calculated correctly and paid on time.
• Advising on your insurance responsibilities once the property is under contract.

A good conveyancer ensures that your property transaction is handled correctly, helping you avoid legal pitfalls and unexpected financial consequences.

The hidden costs when you choose a conveyancer who is not up to speed

Many assume all conveyancers offer the same level of service, but choosing a cheap conveyancer or one who lacks experience can lead to costly mistakes. As the saying goes, “you don’t know what you don’t know.” This is especially true in property transactions, where overlooked details can result in financial losses, legal disputes, or delays in settlement. In our article, Cheap Conveyancer Adelaide? New Data Shows Stakes Too High to Make That Google Search, we highlight some of the risks associated with cutting corners when choosing a conveyancer.

Some of the most common but hidden costs of working with an underqualified conveyancer include:

• Changes in contract terminology and regulations – Property laws evolve, and staying on top of contract of sale updates is crucial. A cheap conveyancer or a one-person operation may struggle to keep up with these changes while managing multiple clients, increasing the risk of errors.
• Transactions in South Australia are now almost exclusively dealt with digitally. Knowledge and extensive experience with these platforms is important. Firms like Eckermann Conveyancers invest in technology and staff training to stay ahead, while the use of outdated methods can lead to errors, omissions, and unnecessary delays.
• Swimming pool certification confusion – If your property has a swimming pool, compliance with local council and property law regulations is mandatory. Failing to meet these requirements could result in unexpected fines, settlement delays, or even legal action. A well-informed conveyancer ensures you avoid these pitfalls.

When should I choose a conveyancer?

Some first time home buyers leave choosing a conveyancer to the last minute, we believe there are benefits from getting to know your conveyancer ahead of making your offer to buy.

At a bare minimum, real estate agents will typically ask you for your conveyancer’s name and contact details so it will be helpful and efficient if you’ve made your decision early.

For more information about Eckermanns services and many other helpful details, download the Conveyancing Information Pack for reference.