There is so much to think about when buying a home. It is a much more time-consuming endeavour than most people realise and you will deal with many people through the process, including your home conveyancer.
The home conveyancer oversees and conducts the legal process involved with transferring a piece of real estate property from one owner to another. As the buyer, you will work closely with this person throughout the entire process. That is why it is so important to find a conveyancer in Melbourne you trust.
Before you hire anyone, be sure to ask them these five important questions.
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How Much Do You Charge and When Is Payment Due?
You’re in the middle of an enormous financial transaction. You need to be sure that every penny that you will need from beginning to end, is accounted for.
In addition, ask them which amounts on their quote are estimates and what is not included, such as fees from third parties.
Finally, find out when the various sums as well as the grand total will be due.
What Happens If the Purchase Falls Through?
There are various points along the way where the purchase can fall through or be cancelled for a variety of reasons. If your home conveyancer is experienced, they have no doubt experienced most of them already.
Be sure that you understand which fees will need to be paid no matter what, and what would be refundable at various stages when the deal might be cancelled.
Finally, make sure that you understand if any future fees would need to be paid at the time of cancellation. Some conveyancer fees are not due until closing, but if there isn’t going to be a closing, you might have to pay more of the total amount and you don’t want to be blindsided on top of the disappointment of a lost sale.
Can I Meet the Person Who Will Handle My Case?
Chances are that different people or departments handle projects at various stages. More than likely, the person with whom you’re speaking in the preliminary/contract stage will not be your main point of contact through the rest of the process.
Ask who that person is, and if you can meet them. Whomever you choose as your conveyancer, you need to trust them and feel comfortable working with them. It is very hard to determine if that is the case if you have not even had the opportunity to meet or speak with them!
How Often Do I Hear From You?
Purchasing a home or other property is an overwhelming experience. You don’t want to feel as if you are chasing down your conveyancer, but at the same time, you also don’t want to wonder why you have not heard from them.
Your conveyancer should be able to tell you very clearly when you can expect to hear from them throughout the process. In addition, they may tell you that they will check in at least once a week during the contract phase as well. If they don’t, you may want to ask if they can do that for you for extra peace of mind.
Are You Experienced with Properties Such as These?
You want to work with a company that is familiar with your type of transaction. Mistakes on their part could cost you time and money, or even blow the sale entirely. Make sure that you’re working with a conveyancer who knows what they’re doing. You can always ask to hear more about their past experience.
Trust Your Instincts
You should have a good, comforting feeling about the company you choose to hire. If something feels off, it might be. Make sure to shop around to get the least amount of stress in your property purchase as possible!