Why use a conveyancer, not a solicitor?

The excitement of buying or selling a home or property can be offset for many people by the intricacies of dealing with the legal aspects of the sale or purchase. There are several options for professionals to assist with this, and ensuring that you use the best choice for you can prevent stress and unnecessary cost. A conveyancer can be an excellent option for dealing effectively with this side of the transaction, and in some states are used for this more frequently than solicitors.

Conveyancers: What do they do?

Conveyancers are trained specifically to deal with the legal aspects of property sales and purchases. They complete at least two years of training, and specialise only in this area of law. Some conveyancers are solicitors who specialise in conveyancing, but many are trained only in conveyancing.

You should look for a conveyancer who is a member of the (Australian Institute of Conveyancers) to be assured of hiring someone whose professionalism and standards are guaranteed. The Institute also encourages its members to communicate with clients in plain language rather than in "legalese", so that you can make informed decisions.

Conveyancers:

• Do government document searches to ensure a clear title
• May prepare a contract of sale (or the real estate agent may) and negotiate between buyer and seller
• Liaise between the buyer, seller and financial institution
• Advocate for the client (so it is usually best to use your own, rather than share one with the other party)
• Deal with any other legal aspects of the sale / purchase

Conveyancer or solicitor?

Both conveyancers and solicitors are trained to deal effectively with the legal aspects of the sale or purchase of your property, however conveyancers specialise in this area of law, so can be a better choice for many people. Conveyancers use to be referred to as land brokers, and nearly always dealt with this area of law. If you use a conveyancer, you are using a professional who has a great deal of experience in this, rather than a general solicitor who may spend only part of their legal practice time on conveyancing.

Advantages of conveyancers

Buying a home can be the biggest investment in most peoples" lives, and the legal aspects of the transfer are daunting and complex. It is not advised that you attempt to do this yourself. Using a professional conveyancer will save you not only headaches now, but also possibly expensive and stressful mistakes which could resonate into the future. Enjoying your new purchase, or the sale of your property, is easier when the intricate complexities of the legal aspects of the transition are taken care of competently.