If you’re buying or selling a property you will need conveyancing. Conveyancing involves the preparation and lodgement of all the necessary paperwork to transfer the title of your property. When you buy or sell property there are several other important things to consider as well as the property law related paperwork. They include forms for the titles office, taxation matters, your bank loan and mortgage documents.
To help you complete the conveyancing you can use either a solicitor or a conveyancer. If you’ve never used either before, it can be difficult to know which one is needed to help you with the purchase or sale of your property. While it may look like they do the same thing, there are actually big differences in the level of training, experience, and knowledge that solicitors and conveyancers have. This can affect the service that you receive and the advice you’re given.
What’s the difference between a solicitor and a conveyancer?
A solicitor is legally trained and educated in property and other areas of the law. They have a law degree and have been admitted to practice law in their state or territory. This means they can also give you advice on other areas of the law that may be relevant to your property transaction, including wills, probate, family law, immigration, tax law, legal disputes and court proceedings. Because they have a well-rounded knowledge of all aspects of the law, a solicitor can guide you from start to finish and answer any questions you have along the way.
A conveyancer doesn’t have a law degree, but they do have a diploma from TAFE or a tertiary institution. Their training gives them an understanding of the rules, regulations and legal paperwork that needs to be completed to transfer the ownership of your property. While conveyancers understand how to complete your property transaction, they may not be aware of other areas of law that could affect you.
Why should I use a solicitor?
A solicitor can guide you through more than just the basics of your property transaction. For example, if you’re selling your property as part of a divorce, your solicitor can take into account aspects of your divorce settlement to make sure you get the best result overall. As solicitors often look after other aspects of a property transaction, they also tend to spend more time understanding your needs and building a relationship with you. This is so they can help identify if there are any other legal issues you should be aware of either now or in the future.
Sometimes not everything goes to plan when you’re buying or selling property. If your transaction is complicated or something unusual happens, having a solicitor onside can be very helpful. As their expertise is much broader than a conveyancer, they can often help you identify issues and resolve them swiftly so they don’t hold up your settlement. If the issue becomes more serious, a solicitor can also represent you in a legal or property dispute and make sure that your rights are protected and your best interests are taken into account. This gives you the best chance for a positive outcome. Legal disputes can affect you mentally, emotionally and financially, so it’s always a good idea to nip them in the bud if possible.
As lawyers, solicitors must follow the strict guidelines laid out by the law. They must keep your records secure and are required to act in your interests. They may also give you legal professional privilege if you do find yourself in a dispute. This can help protect you if an issue goes to court.
Why are conveyancers cheaper than solicitors?
Conveyancers are often less expensive than a solicitor. This is because they’re not as qualified as solicitors or may even be relatively new to property transactions. While a conveyancer will understand how to transfer a title and can check your contract, they don’t often have enough expertise to give you any other legal advice about the transaction.
You get what you pay for, so if a solicitor is charging more that’s because you’ll benefit from their knowledge and expertise. It may also mean they spend more time with you to understand your transaction and give you the best possible advice. Provey Conveyancing Melbourne offer competitive rates compared to other solicitors and some conveyancers. This means you can have the quality services of a solicitor without the hefty price tag.
If you have a simple conveyance, using a conveyancer may be enough. They’ll get the job done for you, but just don’t expect them to be available to hold your hand through the process. This is because many conveyancers follow a standard process to be efficient. The trade-off is that they may not be available to answer all your questions or even meet you in person.
Other things to take into account
Regardless of whether you choose a solicitor or conveyancer to help you, it’s important that you know what’s happening with your property at all times. At Provey, we give you access to our system so you can log on and track your transaction. This means you always know what’s happening and what’s coming next.
Our system is also paperless. This means you don’t have to worry about getting large paper contracts. Instead, you can receive and sign your documents online. Our customers often tell us that this makes them feel less stressed and cluttered about their property transaction. It also means we’re more efficient, so we have more time to spend with you.
Your property is the most valuable asset you own. It makes sense to protect it by putting it in the hands of someone you trust. That’s why it’s worth weighing up the pros and cons of using a solicitor or a conveyancer. In the end, you want to settle your transaction quickly and effectively without any issue. Who can you trust to put your interests first?
Need a Conveyancing Quote? We offer e-conveyancing online or call us on 03 8609 1200