Section 32 Explained – A Guide For Consumers

Section 32 – A simple explanation of Sections and Paragraphs If you don’t know what a Section 32 Statement (also known as a Vendor Statement) is then you should visit our Section 32 FAQ page – CLICK HERE However, if you require further information about the specific provisions of Section 32 of the Sale of Land Act 1962, then you have come to the right place. What follows is a breakdown of Section 32 and...

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Pre-Purchase Advice FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions Is the Lawyers Conveyancing Pre-Purchase Advice/Cooling-Off Advice report a legal contract review? Yes, our Pre-Purchase Advice report is a legal contract review authored by qualified lawyers with vast experience in property transactions in Victoria. What does it cost? For ordinary ‘existing’ properties the price is $275 (inclusive of GST). For ‘Off The Plan’ contracts, the cost is $550 (inclusive of GST). What does it include? It is a comprehensive written report on the submitted contract for...

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DocuSigning Completed

You have now digitally signed your document and there is nothing more you need to do. If there are others who are required to sign, the document will be delivered to them so that they can also sign. When all parties have signed, the completed document will be delivered to the person who sent it to you and they will then action it. If you have any questions about the DocuSign process, please contact our...

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How an 80-year-old vendor sold his home online

Selling your home online at the age of 80… what could go wrong? Read the amazing story of Cyril, the elderly vendor proving that you don’t need to be a Millennial to get on-board real estate technology. It’s an unlikely pairing — an 80-year-old vendor and an online bidding platform that’s at the forefront of property sales. But that’s exactly what happened when Mint Real Estate, and founder of Openn Negotiation, Peter Clements met Cyril...

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Owner-builder Obligations

Owner Builder Obligations under the Sale of Land Act 1962 Pursuant to the Sale of Land Act 1962 (Vic), a vendor is required to disclose in the vendor’s statement whether any building permits have been issued for the property in the last 7 years. Where a building permit has been issued and it lists the vendor as both the owner and the builder, then the vendor is an owner builder for the purposes of the Building Act 1993 (Vic)...

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Conveyancing For Both Parties – A High Risk Practice

OPINION by Tim O’Dwyer M.A., LL.B Solicitor Consumer Advocate watchdog@argonautlegal.com.au   Acting for both parties is an unwise, high-risk practice for solicitors and their trusting clients. It should be prohibited absolutely by law. Brisbane solicitor Richard Ebbott is mentioned twice in real estate rebel Neil Jenman’s book, DON’T SIGN ANYTHING! Jenman describes how Ebbott handled the conveyancing for two Sydney clients who lost more than $50,000 each after buying two overpriced Brisbane townhouses. Then four...

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Advance Care Directive – Victoria

The Advance Care Directive (ACD) is a a new document introduced in Victoria to assist in advance care management (see the videos below). The ACD empowers a person to make clear legal arrangements for their future health treatment, end of life care, preferred living arrangements and other personal matters. The ACD replaces the Enduring Power of Guardianship and Enduring Power of Attorney (Medical Treatment), and works in conjunction with the new Appointment of Medical Treatment Decision...

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Law firms lose millions to hackers in ‘highly sophisticated’ email scam

This article is but one example of the way email can be used to steal from clients. Lawyers Conveyancing has taken cyber-security a step further, and we no longer send important documents as attachments to emails. Instead, all clients have access to their own Secure Document Exchange (SDX) portal where documents can be exchanged safely and with a time-stamped audit trail. At least two Queensland law firms have lost several million dollars after falling victim...

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Notice of Cancellation – Loan

How to Give Notice of Cancellation This form is for use by a purchaser whose loan condition in the Contract of Sale of Real Estate has not been satisfied, and notice is to be given to the vendor during the loan approval period as specified in the Contract in conjunction with General Condition 14. If you find that you need to cancel your contract urgently you can use our “Notice of Cancellation” form which you...

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Court Finds Solicitor Forged Wife’s Signature

by Tim O’Dwyer M.A., LL.B Solicitor Consumer Advocate During 2008 the Commonwealth Bank made loans totalling $13.5 million to Matthew Perrin, his wife Nicole and their family company. Among other securities, the bank relied on guarantees and mortgages apparently signed by Nicole. Some of these encumbered Perrins’ (previously unencumbered) sprawling Cronin Island family home held in Nicole’s name. During 2008 the Commonwealth Bank made loans totalling $13.5 million to Matthew Perrin, his wife Nicole and their...

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