It’s not a legal requirement to have a solicitor or conveyancer when buying property in Australia, but most buyers choose to have one involved. They can review the contract and explain the legal side before you commit. If you need one, we can connect you with a trusted solicitor or conveyancer.

Start with a clear brief: location, budget, must-haves and deal-breakers. Then test it against a few properties to see where you’re flexible and where you’re not, because it’s easy to get pulled off course once inspections start.

Getting an independent assessment on a shortlisted property can help you decide based on evidence rather than first impressions. Our quick or thorough property check is a good place to start.

Yes. Not every buyer needs full search support, and plenty just want a second opinion before they make an offer or move to the next stage. That’s exactly where a quick property check or thorough property check can help. You get an independent view without committing to a bigger service than you need.

It helps to understand your borrowing position before you make an offer. For finance advice, speak with your broker or lender. If you’re looking for trusted finance support, we can connect you with the right partner for your situation.

A Section 32, or Vendor’s Statement,, is a legal document the vendor must provide before you sign a contract. It includes title details, planning overlays, outgoings and may include owners corporation information and other disclosures that could affect your decision, so you should review it before you make an offer or bid.

The main difference is the conditions within the Contract, and how the home is sold. Usually with a private sale, there is a 3 day cooling off period and you can seek to sign a conditional contract. At auction, the sale is unconditional, so if you’re the highest bidder at or above the reserve, you’re committed on the day. If you’d like strategies for either of the processes, we’re happy to help. 

Once your offer is accepted, the next steps usually involve signing the contract, paying the deposit and working through the process toward settlement. Your solicitor or conveyancer, broker and other advisers can guide you through the legal and finance side, and we can help you stay clear on the buying process and next steps.

You don’t have to get one, but it’s usually a smart move. A building inspection can uncover structural issues, drainage problems, roof condition and other defects that aren’t obvious at a standard open for inspection.

In Victoria, termites and timber pests are less common than in warmer states, but they do exist, especially in older timber-framed homes. A pest inspection can uncover active infestations or past damage before you commit, and many buyers combine it with a building inspection to save time.

Typically about 30 minutes. For off-the-plan apartments and townhouses especially, this is the chance to properly  assess finishes, fittings, appliances, water pressure, drainage and defects before settlement.

Before making an offer, it’s a good idea to get the right professional advice and make sure you understand the property, the contract and the costs involved. We can help you assess the property from a buying and market point of view, and your solicitor or conveyancer can advise on the legal side before you commit.

In most cases, yes, if the timing can be made to work. A simultaneous settlement can help you avoid stress and additional costs such as bridging finance, extra moving costs or a short-term rental in between. An additional option is organising a licence agreement to move into your new property early, or remain in your current home beyond settlement – talk to your independent legal advisor for more information on this.

Have a plan. Early conversations with a real estate expert can provide you with an array of options and new ideas. Having an understanding of your options and a plan in place can alleviate the stresses that can arise. In some situations, a licence agreement, delayed possession arrangement or flexible moving service can make the handover much easier. If you’d like an expert to manage this side of the process for you, we’re happy to help.

No, however some people want help assessing one property, while others want support across their whole search, negotiation and settlement process. A buyer’s advocate tends to make more sense when the search is complex, time is tight, or the stakes feel too high to manage alone.

First-home buyers, busy professionals, interstate or overseas buyers, and investors often get the most value from buyer’s advocacy. It can also help if you’re feeling overwhelmed, struggling to narrow your search, or worried about overpaying.

Yes. Not every suitable property is advertised, and experienced buyer’s advocates often have relationships that help surface pre-market or off-market opportunities.

A selling agent works for the vendor and is there to achieve the best outcome for the seller. A buyer’s advocate works for the buyer and gives advice from the buyer’s side of the deal.

A leased property can suit investors who want rental income from day one without a vacancy period, but you need to understand the lease terms and whether vacant possession matters to your plans.

If you’re buying vacant, you avoid inherited lease conditions but take on the leasing-up period. If you’re buying tenanted, check whether the current rent is in line with the market, because some inherited leases sit below market until renewal.

For investors wanting to understand what happens after you buy, our property management pages cover everything from maximising rental income to choosing the right property manager.

No. Off-market and pre-market sales form a significant part of the Melbourne market, especially for apartments, inner-city property and some development stock, so serious buyers shouldn’t rely on the websites alone.

If you’re searching seriously, get in touch with our team. We can help with buyer-side advice and may have access to opportunities that never hit the public sites

Look at what comparable properties in the same building or street are actually leasing for, not just the asking rents. It also helps to understand local vacancy, renter demand and the likely appeal of the property to different renter types.

Our thorough property check includes suburb-level context, and our Maximise your rental income page explains how we think about pricing, leasing strategy and renter selection.