Buying property is one of the biggest decisions you will make. Let's make sure it goes the way it should.
Whether you are purchasing your first home, adding a holiday property, or settling into the next chapter of your life on the Yorke Peninsula, the excitement of finding the right place is real. So is the complexity that follows.
Most buyers are surprised by how much happens between signing a contract and getting the keys. Deadlines appear quickly, documents need attention, and decisions that seem minor can have significant consequences down the track. Having the right conveyancer beside you from the start makes all of it more manageable.
Start Earlier Than You Think You Need To
The single most useful thing we can tell any buyer is this: get in touch before you sign anything.
We know that is not always how it happens. Sometimes you fall in love with a property at an open inspection on a Saturday morning and the contract is in front of you by Saturday afternoon. If that is where you are, call us before you sign. We can review the contract, explain what it means for your specific circumstances, and make sure the terms give you the protection you need.
If you are still in the browsing stage, even better. We are happy to have an early conversation about what to look for, what questions to ask, and what to watch out for in the types of properties you are considering.
The earlier we are involved, the more we can do for you.
This image features our Conveyancing Manager, Anna Przibilla, on the left, from a feature article about the benefits of local conveyancers when buying or selling property on Yorke Peninsula. She is next to Carolyn Smith, co-owner of Smith’s Garden Centre in Kadina. You can read the article here.
What To Know Before You Sign
A contract is binding the moment you put your name to it. Before that moment, here are the things worth having clear in your mind.
The Cooling-off Period Starts Earlier Than Most People Realise
In South Australia, you have two business days to cool off after receiving the Form 1 from the agent. That period begins from the moment the agent sends it to you, not from when you sign it. If the Form 1 arrives by email on a Friday afternoon, your cooling-off period is already running. Forward it to us immediately and we will review it with you before you make any decisions.
Encumbrances Are More Common Than You Might Expect
Some properties, particularly in newer subdivisions, carry encumbrances that restrict what you can do with them. Fencing styles, building designs, and landscaping can all be subject to conditions registered on the title. Anna Przibilla, our Conveyancing Manager, puts it plainly: “If you drive around a new subdivision at Moonta or any new estate, you will notice none of them have front fences. That is because they are not allowed to have front fences.” We check these things before they become surprises.
Boundaries On The Title Do Not Always Match The Physical Property
This one catches people off guard. The boundaries shown on a title can differ from the actual boundaries on the ground. In some cases, buildings encroach onto neighbouring land or council land without anyone being aware of it. A land survey before settlement is the only way to be certain, and making your contract subject to that survey gives you the protection you need.
Verification Of Identity Takes Time If You Are Not Prepared
Every buyer is required to complete a verification of identity as part of the conveyancing process. If your documentation is current and complete, this is straightforward. If you need to order a replacement birth certificate or update identification, it takes time you may not have. Getting your VOI sorted early removes one potential source of delay.
What Happens After You Sign
Signing the contract is the beginning of the process, not the end of it. Once you have signed, here is what to expect.
If your contract is subject to finance, contact your lender immediately and do everything required to progress your application. Time is of the essence, and delays here can put you in breach of contract.
If your contract includes a building inspection condition, arrange the inspection promptly. If the report raises concerns, investigate them quickly and advise your conveyancer without delay.
We will manage your searches, prepare your documentation, liaise with the agent and your bank, and keep you informed at every step. On settlement day, you wait for our call. When it comes, it means the property is yours.
What If Something Goes Wrong?
Most transactions proceed without issue. But if something unexpected arises, whether that is a seller who defaults, a title defect, or a legal complication that needs urgent attention, you will want more than a conveyancer by your side.
At Mildwaters Byrth, our solicitors are already across your file. There is no referral, no delay, and no starting again with someone new. We keep working for you, with the full resources of a law firm behind every transaction.
What Clients Say
Anna Przibilla handles all our conveyancing. She is very courteous, professional and her consistent follow-up and communication is next level until our jobs are completed. Highly recommended,
[We] would like to express our gratitude to you with the recent sale of our house. You explained everything in full detail and made the entire sale process extremely easy and stress free. We would not hesitate to recommend Mildwaters Byrth Lawyers, in particular yourself [Candice].
Candice was extremely professional, thorough, and kind when assisting with the sale of my home recently. Candice managed everything efficiently and I was contacted at the required time points. She made the whole process seamless and I am very grateful. I highly recommend her conveyancing services.
What Buying A Property Will Cost You
Beyond the purchase price, here are the costs most buyers need to allow for:
Stamp duty, Lands Titles Office registration fees, search costs (title, council, SA Water, Emergency Services Levy), bank application and mortgage fees, pro rata council rates and taxes from the date of settlement, and our conveyancing fees and disbursements.
If you are a first home buyer, you may be eligible for grants or concessions that reduce some of these costs. Ask us about this when you get in touch — it is one of the first things we will check for you.
Moving costs are also worth factoring in early. If you are booking a removalist, allow a couple of days of buffer after your settlement date. Settlements occasionally run a little late for reasons outside anyone’s control, and having that flexibility avoids unnecessary stress.
Ready to take the next step?
Whether you have found a property you love or you are still working out what you are looking for, we are here to help you move forward with confidence.
Kadina Office
15 Taylor Street, Kadina SA 5554
Phone Kadina (08) 8821 2199
Get more information and see a map on our Mildwaters Byrth Lawyers & Conveyancers Kadina page.
Minlaton Office
46 Main Street, Minlaton SA 5575
Phone Minlaton 0448 725 447
Get more information and see a map on our Mildwaters Byrth Lawyers & Conveyancers Minlaton page.
Or use our contact form and we will be in touch promptly.
Will I Need To Come Into The Office For Everything?
Not at all. If you are local to Kadina or Minlaton, you are always welcome to come in and sit down with us, many clients appreciate that face-to-face conversation, particularly for a significant purchase. But if distance or circumstances make that difficult, we can handle most of the process remotely. Documents can be posted to you for signing. The one step you will need to complete in person is verification of identity, which can be done at your nearest Australia Post outlet if visiting our office is not practical. Either way, we work around you.
Let's Talk Today!
Contact us via email, or our online form and we will get in touch with you.