News
Mortgage stress – when you can’t pay your home loan
Life throws us obstacles now and then and it’s not uncommon for some of these to challenge our financial security. Mortgage stress – when we struggle to meet our home loan repayments – probably affects more people than you think. The Reserve Bank of Australia's series...
Buying Residential Property – Understanding Cooling-Off Periods
In the whirlwind of excitement that often accompanies the purchase of a residential property, it is still essential for buyers to be cautious. In most Australian jurisdictions, the law makes provision for a cooling-off period to allow home buyers to evaluate a...
Do I need a Conveyancer or Lawyer to buy a House?
A conveyancing transaction involves transferring the legal title (ownership) of real estate from one party to another. For most people, buying or selling property is one of the highest-valued transactions they will ever make, and the legal work is usually referred to...
Things to Consider When Buying a Unit
Buying a unit or townhouse is different to buying a house, as you not only buy the property you also enter a relationship with the other owners in the complex and become involved with a body corporate or owner’s corporation. There are also special by-laws to abide by...
Buying a Property? Don’t Skip the Pre-Settlement Inspection
Purchasing a property is a significant undertaking. One crucial step in the process that should not be overlooked is the pre-settlement inspection. This involves the buyer inspecting the property just prior to completing the purchase. In this article, we explore the...
Helping Your Kids Step into the Property Market
Buying a first home has always been a financial challenge, but housing affordability in Australia has declined so much in recent decades that younger generations are struggling to gain entry to the property market at all. As a result, more parents wish to take...
What is an ‘Interest’ in Property?
When discussing property law, the concept of an ‘interest’ is significant. An interest in property refers to a legal stake or other right that an individual or entity holds in a particular piece of real estate. This article explores the definition of property...
Granny Flat Interests – a Guide for Grannies and Homeowners
Traditionally, a “granny flat” is a small, secondary dwelling located on the same property lot as a primary residence. These homes were often used to allow an older person to live close to their family while maintaining some independence. Of course, a granny flat is...
The Risks of Going Guarantor
Has a family member asked you to provide a guarantee for their home loan or personal loan? If so, you need to be clear about your obligations under a contract of guarantee. What is a guarantee? If a lender is concerned about a borrower’s capacity to repay a loan or...
Transferring Property Between Family Members – Key Considerations
Transferring property between family members is a common practice, often driven by a desire to facilitate inheritance, support loved ones, or streamline estate planning. While the intention behind such transfers is usually rooted in familial bonds, navigating the...