Practical legal information
for Victorians.
Clear, authoritative guides to help property buyers, sellers, and business owners navigate the legal landscape in plain English.
Latest property guides
16 articles · Buying & Selling Basics · Stamp Duty · PEXA & Digital Settlement · CaveatsConveyancing Fees in Melbourne Explained
What conveyancing costs in Melbourne, what is included in a fixed fee, the disbursements you will see on your quote, and when fees are paid.
What Does a Conveyancer Actually Do? A Step-by-Step Guide for Melbourne Buyers
A plain-English, step-by-step guide to what a conveyancer does when you buy a property in Melbourne, from contract review to settlement day.
Solicitor vs Conveyancer: What Is the Difference and Which One Do You Need?
The real difference between a solicitor and a conveyancer in Victoria, and how to decide which one you need for your property settlement.
Cooling-Off Periods in Victoria: What Buyers Need to Know
How the cooling-off period works when you buy property in Victoria, how long you get, the penalty to withdraw, and when cooling off does not apply.
Section 32 Vendor Statements Explained (and Red Flags to Watch For)
What a Section 32 Vendor Statement contains, why it matters, and the red flags a buyer should watch for before signing a Contract of Sale in Victoria.
Buying vs Selling First: Managing a Property Chain in Melbourne
The pros and cons of buying before selling or selling before buying in Melbourne, and how to manage settlement timing and a property chain.
Off-the-Plan Purchases: Questions to Ask Before You Sign
Buying off the plan in Melbourne? The key questions to ask about sunset clauses, owners corporation fees, finishes and stamp duty before you sign.
Stamp Duty in Victoria: How It Is Calculated and What You Will Actually Pay
How stamp duty, or land transfer duty, is calculated in Victoria, what you will actually pay, and the concessions that can reduce the bill.
First Home Buyer Stamp Duty Concessions and Exemptions in Victoria
How the first home buyer stamp duty exemption and concession work in Victoria, the value thresholds, and the eligibility rules you need to meet.
Off-the-Plan Stamp Duty Concessions: Are You Eligible?
How the Victorian off-the-plan stamp duty concession works, who is eligible under the temporary concession, and how it reduces the dutiable value.
Stamp Duty on Commercial vs Residential Property Purchases
How stamp duty differs between commercial and residential property in Victoria, including GST, concessions, and the shift to commercial property tax.
What Is PEXA and How Does It Change Property Settlement?
What PEXA is, how electronic property settlement works in Victoria, and what it means for buyers and sellers on settlement day.
Digital vs Paper Settlements: What Melbourne Buyers and Sellers Should Expect
How digital settlement compares to the old paper process in Victoria, what to expect on the day, and why most settlements are now electronic.
Common PEXA Settlement Delays and How Your Conveyancer Manages Them
The common reasons a PEXA settlement is delayed, what happens when it does, and how a good conveyancer keeps your settlement on track.
What Is a Caveat on a Property and Why Would One Be Lodged?
What a caveat is, why one might be lodged on a property title in Victoria, and what it means for buyers and owners.
How to Remove a Caveat: A Practical Guide for Victorian Property Owners
The three main ways to remove a caveat from a property title in Victoria: withdrawal, a lapsing notice, and a Supreme Court application.