Practice area · Conveyancing
Straightforward conveyancing for Gold Coast property
Whether you are buying, selling or planning ahead for settlement, our Robina team provides practical conveyancing support with clear communication and careful attention to detail.
Whether you are buying, selling or planning ahead for settlement, our Robina team provides practical conveyancing support with clear communication and careful attention to detail.
Who we act for: we act for buyers, sellers, investors, developers, business owners and clients buying or selling through companies, trusts or SMSFs.
Our office is based in Robina and assists clients across the Gold Coast and wider Queensland. Property matters often involve local agents, brokers, lenders and body corporate managers, so clear communication and timely document handling are important.
Buying
Buying property in Queensland
Buying property is one of the most significant transactions most people will enter into. A contract can look straightforward, but the practical and legal consequences often sit in the detail.
Carter Green Law Practice assists buyers with residential, investment, off-the-plan and commercial property purchases throughout Queensland. We can review the contract before you sign, explain the key dates and conditions, and help identify issues that may affect your decision to proceed.
Before signing, buyers should carefully consider:
- the purchase price, deposit and settlement date
- whether the contract is subject to finance approval
- building and pest inspection rights
- body corporate searches and records, if the property is in a community titles scheme
- the seller disclosure material
- special conditions
- included and excluded items
- transfer duty and other settlement costs
- title, easements and encumbrances
- whether further due diligence is required
A contract review before signing can help avoid unnecessary risk. Once a contract is signed, your rights will usually depend on the terms already agreed.
Our role is to guide you from contract review through to settlement, including liaising with the real estate agent, lender, seller’s solicitor and settlement platform. We help you understand what needs to happen, when it needs to happen, and what your options are if an issue arises.
Selling
Selling property in Queensland
Selling property involves more than signing a standard contract. Sellers need to ensure the seller disclosure statement and contract are properly prepared, and the transaction is structured to avoid unnecessary delay or dispute.
Carter Green Law Practice assists sellers with preparing and reviewing sale contracts, seller disclosure material, special conditions and settlement requirements. We also help sellers respond to buyer enquiries, manage key dates and deal with issues that arise before settlement.
When selling a property, important matters may include:
- correct seller and property details
- preparation of the seller disclosure statement and the contract
- body corporate disclosure material, where relevant
- deposit arrangements
- fixtures and excluded items
- tenancy arrangements and vacant possession
- special conditions
- release of mortgage
- settlement adjustments for rates, water, body corporate levies and other outgoings
- GST, if relevant
- timing of settlement and handover
Queensland property contracts now involve seller disclosure requirements. Whether you are selling or buying, it is important to check that disclosure documents are complete, consistent with the contract, and properly understood before signing or proceeding to settlement.
For sellers, early preparation can make the transaction smoother. Having the contract and disclosure material in order before the property is marketed or before an offer is accepted can reduce the risk of delays, renegotiation or buyer termination rights.
We work with sellers, agents and mortgagees to progress the matter to settlement efficiently and with practical advice along the way.
Off the plan
Off-the-plan contracts
Off-the-plan contracts are different from standard residential sale contracts. The property may not yet be built, the title may not yet exist, and settlement may depend on registration of a plan, construction milestones or other development steps.
Before signing an off-the-plan contract, buyers should understand the contract terms carefully. These contracts often include detailed provisions dealing with sunset dates, plan changes, body corporate arrangements, finishes, defects, settlement timing and the developer’s rights to make changes.
We can assist buyers and sellers with off-the-plan contracts by reviewing or preparing the contract, explaining the practical effect of key clauses, and identifying issues that may require further negotiation or due diligence.
Common issues in off-the-plan contracts include:
- sunset dates and extension rights
- changes to plans, areas, finishes or specifications
- disclosure documents and body corporate material
- proposed by-laws and exclusive use areas
- staged development arrangements
- finance and valuation timing
- settlement triggered by registration or notice
- defect rectification obligations
- limits on assignment or nomination
- developer rights and buyer protections
Off-the-plan purchases can be suitable for many buyers, but they require careful review. The contract should be understood before it is signed, not after a problem arises.
Commercial
Commercial conveyancing
Commercial conveyancing often involves additional legal, tax and business considerations that do not arise in a standard residential transaction.
Carter Green Law Practice assists with the sale and purchase of commercial properties, industrial units, retail premises, tenanted investments and business premises. We help clients review the contract, consider due diligence requirements and progress the matter through to settlement.
Commercial property transactions may involve:
- GST treatment, including going concern arrangements
- existing leases and tenant rights
- rent, outgoings and arrears adjustments
- land tax, rates, water and body corporate adjustments
- due diligence conditions
- searches and planning issues
- environmental, access or infrastructure matters
- finance conditions
- personal or corporate guarantees
- settlement timing
- special conditions tailored to the transaction
For buyers, due diligence is critical. This may include reviewing leases, rent records, body corporate material, building issues, service infrastructure and financial assumptions.
For sellers, it is important that GST, lease disclosure, outgoings and settlement adjustment issues are considered before the contract is signed. A poorly drafted contract can create unnecessary tax, timing or settlement problems.
We provide practical commercial property advice with a focus on identifying risk early and keeping the transaction moving. Where a transaction also involves a business or premises lease, see our commercial business law and leasing services.
Process and next steps
If you are planning a purchase or sale, it helps to contact us as early as possible. We can explain what information is needed, what dates matter most and how the process is likely to unfold.
Many important rights and timeframes are fixed when the contract is signed. If possible, obtain advice before signing, not after.
For an indicative budget before you call, you can estimate conveyancing fees, transfer duty and registration costs.
Contact our office
- Visit43 Commerce Drive, Robina QLD 4226
- Phone(07) 5575 9555
- Emailinfo@cartergreen.com.au
- HoursMonday to Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Should I get a contract reviewed before signing?
Yes. Ideally, you should obtain legal advice before signing a contract. Once signed, the contract will usually bind you to the terms already agreed. A pre-signing review can help identify unfavourable conditions, missing protections, disclosure issues, unusual special conditions and key dates that may affect your rights.
What searches should I order?
The appropriate searches depend on the property and the transaction. Common searches include title, plan, council rates, water, land tax, body corporate records, planning and zoning, transport, flooding and other property-specific enquiries. For body corporate properties, a records inspection can be particularly important.
What is transfer duty?
Transfer duty is a Queensland Government duty that commonly applies when property is purchased or transferred. The amount depends on the property value, the type of transaction and whether any concession or exemption applies. Buyers should factor transfer duty into their budget before signing.
What happens if finance is not approved?
That depends on whether the contract is subject to finance and whether the finance condition has been properly completed. If the contract is subject to finance, the buyer must usually take reasonable steps to obtain approval and give notice by the finance date. If finance is not approved in time, legal advice should be obtained before any notice is given.
What is PEXA settlement?
PEXA is an electronic conveyancing and settlement platform used for many property settlements in Australia. It allows lawyers, conveyancers, banks and other parties to complete settlement and lodge documents electronically. For most clients, this means settlement occurs without a physical meeting between the parties.
Do I need a lawyer for a sale contract?
It is sensible to obtain legal assistance before signing or issuing a sale contract. A lawyer can help ensure the contract is properly completed, required disclosure material is addressed, special conditions are appropriate and settlement obligations are understood.
Can you act on urgent settlements?
In many cases, yes. If a matter is urgent, contact us as early as possible. Whether we can assist will depend on the contract, the stage of the transaction, lender requirements, search timing and settlement readiness.