If you have never bought or sold a property before, the conveyancing process can feel like a long series of phone calls, documents and waiting — without much sense of what is actually happening or why. You are not alone. It is one of the most common things our clients tell us when they first come through the door.
To help, we have put together an interactive visual guide that maps out the entire conveyancing process from start to finish — for both buyers and sellers, and from both the lawyer’s and the client’s perspective.
What is Conveyancing, Exactly?
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of a property from one person to another. In Victoria, it involves two distinct phases: everything that happens before the contract is signed, and everything that happens after — right through to settlement, when the keys change hands and the title is formally transferred.
The process looks quite different depending on which side of the transaction you are on. A vendor (seller) and a purchaser (buyer) have different obligations, different documents to sign, and different things to worry about. And within each of those roles, there is a layer of work your lawyer is doing behind the scenes that you may not be fully aware of.
Four Stages, One Clear Picture
Our guide breaks the conveyancing process into four quadrants:
•Vendor Pre-Contract — preparing the property for sale, drafting the Contract of Sale and the Section 32 Vendor’s Statement, and negotiating terms.
•Purchaser Pre-Contract — reviewing the contract, conducting due diligence (including building and pest inspections and, where applicable, an Owners Corporation’s 151 Certificate), and securing finance.
•Vendor Settlement — preparing transfer documents, arranging the discharge of any existing mortgage, calculating settlement adjustments, and completing the settlement via the PEXA digital platform.
•Purchaser Settlement — understanding the Vendor’s Warranties in the General Conditions, coordinating with your lender, paying stamp duty, and taking legal possession of the property.
Each stage is explained in plain language, with separate notes on what your lawyer is doing and what you, as the client, need to do or be aware of.
Why We Built It
We believe that informed clients make better decisions and have a smoother experience. When you understand what is coming next — and why — the process feels far less daunting, the guide is designed to be a reference you can return to at any point during your transaction, whether you are just starting out or are already in the middle of a settlement.
It is also interactive. Click on any step to read a plain-English explanation of what it involves.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you are buying your first home, selling an investment property, or simply trying to understand what your lawyer is actually doing on your behalf, the guide is a good place to start.
And when you are ready to speak with one of our conveyancing lawyers, we are here.
Hayton Kosky are Melbourne-based lawyers specialising in property law and conveyancing. This guide is intended as general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Please contact our office for advice specific to your circumstances.
Conveyancing Workflow – infographic
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