Buying or selling a property can be stressful and complex. You’ll deal with multiple steps, including advertising, open homes, auctions, silent bids, and market competition. You’ll also have to deal with real estate agents, lawyers and other experts involved.
Whether you’re buying, selling, or transferring a property it pays to be across the detail. It also pays to position yourself to meet the multiple deadlines required. This is where a professional conveyancing lawyer can help. These types of lawyers specialise in real estate law. They’re expert at guiding you through the process and looking after your best interests every step of the way.
In this article, we’ll outline the qualities to consider when choosing a conveyancing lawyer, and share where to find the best on the South Coast.
What makes a great conveyancing lawyer?
Choosing the right conveyancing lawyer can be challenging, but getting it right will take a load off your shoulders
It can be helpful to keep the following in mind when choosing a conveyancing lawyer.
- Effective communication. Great conveyancing lawyers focus on clear and concise communication. They do so to keep you informed. These lawyers never mind answering questions, and they respond to calls and emails promptly.
- Experience and qualifications. Research the types of property transactions the lawyer has worked on. You’ll want a lawyer whose experience aligns with your needs. Let’s face it, helping a first home buyer purchase an apartment off the plan is different than assisting a major developer with bulk land purchases. Choose a conveyancing lawyer whose experience aligns with your needs.
- Organisation and detail. Conveyancing lawyers need to be highly organised and detailed to meet deadlines and manage the many tasks involved with complex conveyancing.
- Clear fee structure. Buying or selling a property involves additional costs like conveyancing. Understanding what to budget for conveyancing fees helps you plan and provides peace of mind. Ask your potential conveyancing lawyer to be transparent and detailed with their fee structure from the get-go. And remember that the cheapest conveyancing lawyer isn’t necessarily the best.
- Positive testimonials. Check online reviews for positive testimonials, on the conveyancing lawyer’s website and other online sources. Feel free to also ask a potential conveyancing lawyer for referrals. Confident conveyancing lawyers won’t have a problem with this.
The best conveyancing lawyers on the South Coast
Riotact’s editorial team has combed through 20 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the best conveyancing lawyers on the South Coast according to you.
To be listed in our ‘Best of’ series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on Riotact and Facebook as well as maintain a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.
Jake Cartwright Legal
With experience in a wide range of practice, Jake Cartwright Legal provides tailored services to clients in their homes, places of work or in the office. Offering a boutique experience, Jake is happy to provide mobile service and out-of-hours appointments with quality conveyancing for both buying and selling.
Jake Cartwright Legal services the NSW South Coast and beyond.Owned and operated by Jake Cartwright, the firm provides clear, quality legal advice that is easily understood and accessible to all.
Unlike other legal firms where your initial meeting may be with a senior lawyer and then the work assigned to a junior, Jake manages a small team and handles cases personally.
Jake Cartwright Legal’s main services are conveyancing, property law, business sales and purchases, wills, power-of-attorney documents and enduring guardianship documents. The firm also provides corporate law, civil litigation and applications for probate services.
A local who understands the South Coast, Jake has been in the industry for several years and provides truly professional services to each and every client. He’s a great listener and is skilled at assessing issues and advising on the best solutions, always applying sound judgement.
Jake and his team are detailed, organised and highly personal. They’re also highly responsive and never make clients wait to hear back. Jake and his team understand that clients seeking legal advice can be facing complex and uncomfortable life challenges. That’s why they are empathetic and reassuring, and happy to meet clients where they are most comfortable.
On Facebook, Terri Samantha Harrigan-Crapp wrote, “Absolutely recommend Jake Cartwright. He is outstanding in his legal work. A very respectful and very honest solicitor. We wouldn’t go to anyone else. A1 solicitor.”
Kennedy & Cooke Lawyers
Kennedy & Cooke Lawyers has seven locations spanning Bega Valley, Shoalhaven and Eurobodalla. This premier law firm operates South Coast Conveyancing. This division draws on the experience of a qualified conveyancing team who collaborate with resident partners in each firm. Kennedy & Cooke Lawyers provides the full range of conveyancing needs, specialising in developing, buying, selling and leasing. The firm opened in 1974. All lawyers live in or near the towns in which they practice.
McPherson Park Lawyers
McPherson Park Lawyers is a boutique, modern and professional legal practice in Batemans Bay that offers a broad range of trusted legal services. Its services include conveyancing, with solicitors and conveyancers highly skilled in residential and commercial property transactions. The team provides clear, practical and cost-effective advice to those buying or selling a property.
Daniel Jansen wrote on Google, “Really friendly and helpful staff. Made buying our first house a great experience.”
Hozack Clisdell Lawyers and Conveyancers
Hozack Clisdell Lawyers and Conveyancers has been providing legal services to the Shoalhaven area since 1981. It provides a wide range of services, including buying and selling property. Conveyancing services are offered at competitive rates and delivered by highly qualified teams. The firm’s conveyancers are some of the most experienced in the Shoalhaven area, making the process of buying and selling as smooth as possible.
On Google, Aaron Tanner wrote, “Great advice. Very compassionate and friendly.”
If you’re looking for more information on legal matters, you might like our articles on the best lawyers on the South Coast. If you need information on legal matters in Canberra, you might like our articles on the best conveyancing lawyers, best business lawyers, best consumer lawyers and best commercial lawyers Canberra has to offer.
Your experience with conveyancing lawyers on the South Coast
Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.
Have you had experience with any of the conveyancing lawyers listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is conveyancing?
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property from one owner to another.
What is a conveyancing lawyer?
A conveyancing lawyer is a licensed professional who specialises in the legal aspects of buying and selling real estate. They advise and inform you throughout the whole process. They also help with settlement and title transfer. And last, but not least, they ensure all legal obligations are met so your rights are protected.
What happens during the conveyancing process?
Conveyancing involves pre-contract, exchange and settlement. Pre-contract involves receiving sales instructions from the selling agent, conducting necessary property inspections and preparing the contract for sale. Exchange involves the approval of the contract for sale from both parties. Settlement is when the buyer moves in. In each stage, professional, qualified advice of a conveyancing lawyer is worth its weight in gold.
How long does the conveyancing process take?
In most cases, conveyancing for the purchase of a home takes between 10 and 12 weeks. This can vary depending on circumstances, however. Having a qualified conveyancing lawyer on your side helps you navigate these issues.
Are all conveyancers lawyers?
Not all conveyancers are lawyers. Those who aren’t lawyers can only provide limited services. If you want full service and complete peace-of-mind, think about engaging a conveyancing lawyer who specialises in this type of law.
What is a conveyancing search?
Conveyancing searches provide you with up-to-date information on the property that may not be included in the contract, and some information needed to complete the sale. Searches can, for example, uncover issues around building and development codes. They can also uncover facts around neighbourly disputes, and information about land that could be exposed to flood or fire.