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Buying a house in Melbourne is a big step. It’s exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming, especially with property prices being some of the highest in Australia. Whether you’re a first time buyer or an experienced investor, there’s one thing you can’t skip: doing your homework.
That’s where property searches come in. These checks dig up vital details about a house that you won’t spot during an open inspection. They help you avoid nasty surprises and make sure your dream home doesn’t turn into a costly mistake.
So, what are the 3 main searches when buying a house?
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the essentials:
The Title Search
Council and Planning Searches
Environmental Searches
We’ll explain what they are, why they matter in Melbourne, and how they protect your investment. Plus, we’ll touch on a few extra checks worth considering and highlight the importance of the Section 32 Vendor Statement, a key document for buyers in Victoria.
By the end, you’ll know exactly what to look for and how to buy with confidence.
Let’s dive in and explore why these searches are your best mates in Melbourne’s property market.
Why Property Searches Matter
Before we get into the details, let’s talk about why property searches are so important. When you’re buying a house, you’re not just buying four walls and a roof. You’re taking on everything that comes with it: legal rights, council rules, and even environmental risks.
Property searches lift the lid on these hidden factors. They tell you if the seller really owns the place, if there’s a massive development planned next door, or if the backyard floods every winter.
In Melbourne, where the market moves fast and competition is fierce, skipping these searches could leave you exposed. A few hundred dollars spent now could save you thousands later. Think of them as your safety net, giving you the facts you need to make a smart decision.
Title Search
Checking the Legal Basics
First up is the Title Search. This is the foundation of any property purchase. It’s all about confirming who owns the house and making sure there are no legal hiccups tied to it.
What Does a Title Search Show?
A Title Search digs into the records at the Victorian Land Registry. Here’s what it uncovers:
Legal Ownership: Proof that the seller actually owns the property
Encumbrances: Any mortgages, caveats, or claims that could affect the sale
Easements: Rights others might have to use part of the land, like a shared driveway or drainage pipe
Covenants: Rules about what you can or can’t do with the property, like bans on building extensions
Unpaid Rates: Debts tied to the property that could become yours if not settled
Imagine you’re buying a charming terrace in Fitzroy. A Title Search might reveal an easement running through the garden where you wanted to put a deck. Or maybe there’s a covenant saying you can’t change the front of the house because it’s heritage-listed. Without this search, you’d be in the dark until it’s too late.
Why It’s Crucial in Melbourne
Melbourne’s got a bit of everything: old Victorian homes, shiny new apartments, and sprawling suburban blocks. Each comes with its own quirks. In heritage areas like Kew or South Yarra, you might find strict rules about renovations. In newer spots like Docklands, there could be tricky ownership arrangements.
A Title Search cuts through the noise and tells you exactly what you’re signing up for.
Council and Planning Searches
Knowing the Rules
Next, we have Council and Planning Searches. These are all about understanding the local landscape literally and figuratively. They tell you what the council allows and what’s happening around your potential new home.
What Do These Searches Cover?
Here’s what you’ll find out:
Zoning: What the property can be used for (think residential, commercial, or mixed)
Planning Permits: Any approved or upcoming projects nearby, like a new apartment block
Building Approvals: Whether the house and any extensions are legit
Heritage Overlays: Rules protecting historic features
Future Developments: Plans for roads, railways, or other big changes
Flood Risks: If the area’s prone to water issues
Melbourne’s suburbs are always changing. Take Footscray or Preston new developments pop up fast. Without these searches, you might buy a house only to find a high rise going up next door, blocking your view or cramping your style.
Why They Matter
Planning to renovate? These searches are your roadmap. They show what’s possible and what’s off-limits. In a heritage area, you might need to keep the original windows. In a growth zone, you could have more freedom to extend.
Knowing this upfront stops you from buying a place that doesn’t fit your plans.
Environmental Searches
Spotting Hidden Risks
Last but not least are Environmental Searches. These check for natural or man made hazards that could affect the property’s safety or value.
What’s Included?
These searches look at:
Flood Risks: Is the house in a flood-prone spot?
Contamination: Any past industrial use that might have left nasties in the soil?
Bushfire Risks: A concern for outer suburbs near bushland
Subsidence: Could the ground shift and damage the house?
Melbourne’s got a varied landscape. Near the Yarra River in Richmond, flooding’s a real worry. In former factory zones like Brunswick, contamination might linger. And if you’re eyeing a place in the Dandenongs, bushfires could be on the cards.
Why They’re Essential
Finding out about these issues early can save you a bundle. A flood prone house might mean sky high insurance costs. Contaminated land could limit your gardening dreams or even your health.
Knowing the risks lets you weigh up whether the property’s worth it or if you should keep looking.
The Section 32 Vendor Statement
A Victorian Must Know
In Victoria, there’s a special document called the Section 32 Vendor Statement. The seller has to give it to you before you sign the contract. It’s packed with info from various searches, like:
Title details and encumbrances
Zoning and planning rules
Rates and charges
Building permits
Owners corporation info (for units)
It’s a handy starting point, but don’t rely on it alone. The seller puts it together, so it might miss things or gloss over problems. Pair it with your own searches for the full picture. A good conveyancer can check it over and spot anything fishy.
Extra Searches Worth Considering
While the big three cover the essentials, a few other checks can add extra peace of mind, depending on the property.
Water and Drainage Searches
These tell you:
Where water and sewer pipes run
Any easements limiting where you can build
Unpaid water bills
In older suburbs like Coburg, knowing where the pipes are can save headaches if you’re planning a reno.
Building and Pest Inspections
Not a “search” in the paper sense, but a pro inspection can spot:
Structural cracks or dodgy wiring
Termites or other pests
Asbestos in older homes
Melbourne’s mix of old and new houses makes this a smart move. That cute Edwardian might have termites chewing through the floorboards.
Owners Corporation Searches
Buying an apartment? This search reveals:
Fees and financial health of the owners corporation
Building insurance details
Rules about pets, renovations, or Airbnb
With apartments booming in the CBD and Docklands, this is a must for unit buyers.
How Much Do Searches Cost and How Long Do They Take?
Property searches in Melbourne usually cost between $200 and $500, depending on what you need. It’s a small price compared to the house itself and the potential headaches they prevent.
Timing wise: Expect 2 to 4 weeks for most searches. In a hot market like Melbourne’s, where auctions move fast, start early to avoid holding up settlement.
Why a Conveyancer Is Your Secret Weapon
Doing all this yourself sounds daunting, right? That’s where a conveyancer comes in. They:
Suggest the right searches for your property
Make sense of the results
Flag issues and sort them out with the seller
Handle the legal nitty-gritty
In Melbourne’s tricky property scene, having an expert in your corner is a game changer.
Wrapping It Up
Buy Smart in Melbourne
So, what are the 3 main searches when buying a house?
Title Search
Council and Planning Searches
Environmental Searches
These are your go to checks. They cover ownership, local rules, and natural risks everything you need to know before handing over your hard earned cash.
Add in the Section 32 and a few extra searches, and you’ve got a solid plan to protect your investment.
Melbourne’s property market is no walk in the park. Prices are steep, and competition’s tough. But with these searches, you’re not flying blind. They give you the facts to decide if a house is right for you or if it’s a dud hiding big problems.
Contact Pearson Chambers Conveyancing
Ready to take the next step?
For expert help with property searches and a free Section 32 contract review, get in touch with Pearson Chambers Conveyancing.
Phone: 03 9969 2405