Do I Need a Conveyancer to Buy a House?

Buying a home in Melbourne is exciting, yet the paperwork can feel like a maze. One of the first decisions you will face is whether to bring a conveyancer on board. Below we unpack what a conveyancer does, whether Victorian law forces you to hire one and why most buyers still choose professional help.

1. Melbourne's unique property landscape

Melbourne's median dwelling price has hovered around the $900,000 mark since late 2024, with strong demand in inner north and bayside suburbs. Homes can be snapped up within days, leaving little time for buyers to pore over legal documents. In fast markets like this, having someone who lives and breathes property law can make the process far smoother.

2. What exactly is conveyancing?

Conveyancing is the legal transfer of property title from one person to another. It covers preparing, verifying and lodging documents, conducting searches, liaising with banks, handling duty, calculating adjustments for council rates and ultimately ensuring you receive clear title. In Victoria, licensed conveyancers are regulated by Consumer Affairs Victoria under the Conveyancers Act 2006.

3. Must I hire a conveyancer in Victoria?

No law says you must engage a conveyancer or solicitor when you purchase real estate. You can, in theory, yet most buyers appoint a professional because the cost of mistakes can dwarf the modest fee a conveyancer charges.

4. Where a conveyancer adds value at every stage

4.1 Pre-contract checks and the Section 32 Statement

Victorian law forces the vendor to provide a Section 32 Vendor Statement before you sign. The statement discloses mortgages, easements, zoning, outgoings and other matters that may affect value. A conveyancer reviews the statement, identifies red flags and requests amendments if information is missing. Ignoring an error can lead to costly disputes later.

4.2 Contract review and negotiation

Your conveyancer dissects the Contract of Sale, explains clauses in plain English and suggests changes to protect your interests such as extending the finance date or clarifying fixtures. They also insert any special conditions you need, for instance making the deal subject to a satisfactory building inspection.

4.3 Finance, deposit handling and trust accounts

If you are borrowing, your lender's solicitor will not advise you on the contract; they look after the bank. A conveyancer coordinates loan documents, checks the mortgage is correctly registered, ensures the deposit sits in a valid trust account and verifies that guarantees meet lender policy.

4.4 Searches and due diligence

Professional software lets conveyancers order title searches, planning certificates, owners corporation records and flood overlays in minutes. These searches reveal issues that are not obvious at inspections, such as an unregistered easement allowing utilities to dig up your garden.

4.5 Cooling off, special conditions and key dates

Victoria offers a three business day cooling off period unless you bought at auction. Missing deadline calculations can void rights, so your conveyancer tracks every date.

4.6 Electronic signing and settlement

Victoria moved to 100 per cent electronic lodgement of most dealings in 2023, with over 65 per cent of titles now digital. Settlements occur on platforms like PEXA, where funds and documents exchange simultaneously. Your conveyancer is trained in digital settlement rules, minimising the risk of last minute delays.

4.7 Post settlement tasks

After keys change hands, your conveyancer ensures land tax records update, removes any temporary caveats and forwards final certificates to your bank.

5. Risks of doing it yourself

• Hidden liabilities: Overlooking a caveat or outstanding owners corporation fee could saddle you with thousands in unexpected costs.
• Missed deadlines: Late settlement can trigger penalty interest of up to 10 per cent a year.
• Contract errors: A missing initials page or wrong lot number can make the contract unenforceable.
• Stress and time: You will need to liaise with agents, banks and government offices during business hours.

6. Benefits of a local Melbourne conveyancer

• Local knowledge: Familiarity with council overlays and growth area levies.
• Regulatory insight: Up to date with Victorian Stamp Duty concessions and first home programs.
• Digital readiness: Trained for e‑conveyancing and two factor authentication settlements.
• Cost effectiveness: Conveyancers' fees are typically lower than solicitors, while offering property specific expertise.
• Personal service: Smaller client loads mean quicker responses and clear explanations.

7. How much will it cost in 2025?

Many conveyancers offer a fixed fee covering all standard searches, giving you certainty from day one.

8. Choosing the right conveyancer: key questions

• Are you licensed with Consumer Affairs Victoria?
• How many Melbourne transactions did you complete last year?
• Do you quote a fixed fee, and what is excluded?
• Will you handle my file personally or hand it to junior staff?
• Are you PEXA certified and insured?
• How will you keep me updated phone, email or portal?

9. Real‑world scenarios

First home buyer in Reservoir

Emma negotiated a 14 day finance clause. Her conveyancer spotted an easement running through the planned extension area, so she withdrew during cooling off and saved expensive building redesigns.

Investor buying an apartment in Southbank

Akash received a 150 page owners corporation pack. The conveyancer discovered a special levy for façade repairs. Armed with this information, Akash negotiated a $20,000 price reduction.

Off the plan townhouse in Footscray

Sofia's conveyancer inserted a sunset clause limiting the developer's right to delay settlement, protecting her from market fluctuations.

10. Frequently asked questions

Is a solicitor better than a conveyancer?

Solicitors are qualified lawyers who may handle complex disputes, while conveyancers specialise solely in property transfers. For a standard purchase, a conveyancer's targeted expertise is usually sufficient and more affordable.

Can I change conveyancer mid transaction?

Yes, but you will need to pay for work already completed and sign an authority to release the file.

Who attends settlement?

Since 2023 most Victorian settlements take place online through PEXA, so parties rarely attend in person.

How long does conveyancing take?

The typical time from signing to settlement is 30 90 days, depending on the terms negotiated and bank readiness.

What if settlement is delayed?

The default interest rate in most contracts is the Penalty Interest Rate Act rate plus 2 per cent. Late settlement can also trigger a Notice of Rescission if delays exceed 14 days.

11. Conclusion and next steps

Buying property is one of the biggest investments you will make. While Victorian law does not force you to hire a conveyancer, the risks of navigating contracts, Section 32 disclosures and electronic settlement alone are considerable. A trusted professional can save you time, money and sleepless nights.

Ready to make your purchase stress free?

Contact Pearson Chambers Conveyancing for friendly, expert guidance and a free Section 32 contract review today.

Phone: 03 9969 2405
Email: contact@pearsonchambers.com.au