PURCHASER CHECKLIST

Purchasing a property is an exciting event in anyone’s life. However, the legal / conveyancing process can be quite daunting for those who are unfamiliar with it, and even seemingly minor oversights can have drastic consequences.

We therefore recommend that new purchasers, and even those experienced in the housing market, familiarise themselves with the conveyancing process in order to simplify what can be a stressful process.

Purchaser Checklist

Secure finance   

As a purchaser, it is essential that you secure adequate finance prior to settlement of the property – preferably before even making an offer.  We recommend a Pre Approval be undertaken in every purchase scenario, and we will help you to understand the end-to-end process of financing your purchase.

If you do not have sufficient funds to settle, you may forfeit your deposit and could potentially be liable for loss and damage suffered by the vendor, including the costs of re-advertising the property.

Review of land dimensions

We recommend that purchasers arrange for an appointment to inspect the property and ensure that the dimensions of land align with those as shown in the Plan of Subdivision.

Confirm if there are covenants on Title

This is particularly relevant if you plan on completing any works to the property, as there may be restrictive covenants which limit the extent/type of works that may be undertaken.  This information will be contained in the Section 32.

Confirm if there are easements on Title

This will be contained in the Plan of Subdivision and requires that permission be obtained from the relevant authorities if you wish to build on the easement.

Confirm zoning and overlays

This affects the type and extent of building works that you may complete to the property.

The following interactive service can assist you in confirming these details: http://mapshare.vic.gov.au/vicplan/

Confirm your manner of holding  

Your elected manner of holding will affect the rights accorded to you in respect of the property. You will need to confirm whether you intend to purchase the property as a ‘sole proprietor’, ‘joint proprietor’ or ‘tenant in common’.

Arrange for building and pest inspection and report

Building and pest inspections are essential to identify any defects in the building and any pest activity which may cause a loss of structural integrity to the property or otherwise require maintenance.

Arrange for the connection of services

The Section 32 will state which services are connected to the property. You will need to arrange with the relevant authorities for services to be connected in your name(s) from the date of settlement.

Your First Point Group Consultant can assist you with this part of the process through our alliance with a trusted utility broker.

Apply for the First Home Owner Grant (if eligible)  

A First Home Owner Grant of either $10,000 or $20,000 may be  available when you buy or build your first home (for homes valued at up to $750,000).  To see whether you are eligible for a Grant, visit https://www.sro.vic.gov.au/content/will-i-be-eligible-first-home-owner-grant

Claim Principal Place of Residence tax exemption (if applicable)

If you intend to reside in the property as your principal place of residence within 12 months of settlement, you may be eligible for a reduction in the amount of Stamp Duty you are required to pay.

Lodge a caveat 

As a purchaser, you have acquired an interest in the property you are purchasing (by paying a deposit) and have the right to lodge a caveat on the vendor’s title. This is a precautionary measure recommended by the Law Institute of Victoria and prevents the vendor from dealing with the land contrary to your interests (e.g. attempting to sell the property to another purchaser for a higher purchase price).

Inspect the property prior to settlement

You have the right to inspect the condition of the property at any reasonable time in the 7 days before settlement. We strongly recommend contacting the vendor’s agent to arrange for a time to inspect the property and ensure that its condition at settlement is the same as when you signed the contract.

Summary

The above items represent only a portion of the things that must be considered by prospective purchasers, which is why it is important to engage with First Point Group and your conveyancer that understands the process and can assist in making the transaction as comfortable as possible for you.

First Point Group has contacts with significant experience in the conveyancing field and can lend assistance in the above areas as well as all other aspects of property transactions, whether you are interested in purchasing or selling a home.