Buying a Property in Geelong

How buying works in Victoria, step by step

1. Before you sign. Ask the agent for the contract of sale and the Section 32 (the vendor statement) and send both to us. Our free 24-hour Section 32 and contract review tells you in plain English what you are agreeing to: easements, owners corporation fees, planning overlays, building permits, special conditions and anything missing that should be there.
2. Signing and cooling off. On most private sales in Victoria you have three business days after signing to change your mind, for a small penalty. There is no cooling-off period at auction or in the days around one, which is why the review needs to happen first.
3. Paying the deposit. The deposit, usually 10% unless the contract says otherwise, is normally held in the agent’s trust account until settlement. If you need a smaller deposit or a deposit bond, tell us before you sign.
4. Finance, building and pest. If the contract is subject to finance, keep your lender moving and tell us the day approval comes through, because the clause has a deadline. A building and pest inspection is worth booking early.
5. Between signing and settlement. We run the searches, check the title, work out the adjustments for rates and other outgoings, calculate the stamp duty, and deal with your lender and the vendor’s representative so the dates hold.
6. Settlement day. Settlement happens electronically. We confirm the figures, the funds move, and the agent releases the keys. Do your final inspection in the week before, so anything wrong can be raised in time.

First home buyers

If this is your first home you may pay less stamp duty, or none, depending on the price and the property, and new homes can attract a grant. We check what you are eligible for, tell you early so your lender has the right numbers, and lodge the paperwork at settlement.

Off the plan, land and new estates

Much of Geelong’s growth is in estates around Armstrong Creek, Mount Duneed and Lara, where you often sign for land that has not been titled yet, or a build that has not started. Those contracts carry sunset dates, design guidelines and building covenants that are easy to miss. We read them before you commit and explain what happens if the estate runs late.

What we handle

• Purchases of Real Estate
• Sales (and Auctions) of Real Estate
• Pre-Purchase Contract Advice
• Fast Section 32 Statements delivered via email or hard copy
• Off the Plan land purchases and sales
• Commercial Transactions
• Subdivisions
• Transfers of Land
• First Home Buyer Assistance
• Stamp Duty Exemptions and Refunds
• Friendly professional and reliable service

What it costs

We quote on your purchase rather than publishing one price that suits nobody. How our fees work explains what goes into the quote and how to get one in minutes.

Why Geelong buyers choose us