5 things your conveyancer will need from you

There are five main things that a conveyancer will require from their clients before steps can be taken to complete the conveyancing process on the property they are buying or selling. These details are normally collected when you first meet with your conveyancer, and these days, it is not imperative that you meet your conveyancer face-to-face, as such transactions can easily be carried out via electronic means.
It may be worthwhile having a quick face-to-face meeting with your conveyancer, however, to ensure you are comfortable with the person who is handling your property transaction, and you can ask any questions you don't feel confident about.
The main transactions that are carried out during conveyancing are;

• Title searches
• Lands department searches
• Council searches
• Inquiries to governments
• Inquiries to developers
• Mortgage documents and loan document finalisation and
• Other issues that may be relevant to your individual transaction.

What you'll need to buy or sell property: Documents & statements

1. Birth certificate/Proof of Identity

To prove that you are who you say you are, you will need a certified copy of your Birth Certificate and proof of identification for your conveyancer. This proof of identification usually works on a 'points' system, and each document you prove will give you a certain number of points.
As a general rule your Birth Certificate and Drivers License will suffice, but check with your conveyancer what you need to bring with you before you schedule your first meeting.

2. Loan Statement or Savings

Assuming you either have the cash ready to pay for the property or a mortgage pre-approval from a bank or lending institution, your conveyancer will need to see proof of this.
This can either take the form of a bank account or Trust Fund balance statement, or a letter from your lending institution which sets out the money you have been cleared to borrow as a mortgage on the specific property in question.

3. Property Details

If you have already found a property to buy, you need to provide the address to the conveyancer, and any other details that may be required.
If you are unsure of what to do here, check with the real estate agent handling the sale, and they will sometimes provide you with a checklist of the things your conveyancer will need.

4. Proof of ability to cover conveyancing fees

Conveyancers often insist you provide them with proof of a payment method for their services. This is often worked into your mortgage or loan - check with your lender and then cross check with your conveyancer to ensure you can cover the costs.

5. Details of any current properties you own/have title to

If your loan is dependent on the equity you have locked in other properties, or if you are privy to holding several property titles under non-mortgaged circumstances, you need to provide your conveyancer with a comprehensive list of these during your first meeting or point of contact.

If you're unsure about any of the details don't hesitate to call your real estate agent or your conveyancer to find out what is required. It's better than showing up without an essential document!