Buyer Guide & FAQs

Complete the Buyer Registration form with your preferred suburbs and requirements so the team can contact you about relevant opportunities.

The journey usually runs through six stages: finance preparation, property search and inspections, making an offer or bidding at auction, contract review by your conveyancer, paying the deposit, and settlement when ownership is transferred.

The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) provides eligible first-home buyers with a one-off government payment. Some lenders may assist with arranging your FHOG application as part of the finance process. Eligibility criteria and application forms are available through the State Revenue Office Victoria.

Use Upcoming Inspections and confirm the time on the relevant listing before travelling, as inspection arrangements can change.

As a buyer, you generally do not pay commission to the selling agent, as the agent represents the seller. Some buyers choose to engage a Buyer’s Advocate who represents the buyer throughout the purchasing process — sourcing properties, inspecting, negotiating and bidding on your behalf.

Conveyancing is the legal transfer of property ownership. A conveyancer reviews the Contract of Sale and Vendor Statement, explains the terms, conducts relevant property searches and assists with settlement — helping the process run smoothly and protecting your interests.

A professional building inspection is strongly recommended, particularly for older properties. Costs generally range from $400–$600. The report outlines structural or maintenance issues, unsafe works and recommended repairs, and can assist with negotiating conditions or price.

In a private sale the buyer and seller negotiate the price directly. The contract may include conditions such as finance approval or building inspection clauses. Residential properties generally include a three-business-day cooling-off period, with some exceptions.

At a public auction the property is sold through competitive bidding and the contract is unconditional once sold, with no cooling-off period. Buyers should complete their finance, legal review and due diligence before bidding.

In a private sale, buyers may negotiate conditions such as subject to finance, subject to building and pest inspection, or subject to the sale of another property. Finance approval periods are commonly around 14 days, with extensions sometimes requested through your conveyancer.

The deposit is typically 10% of the purchase price, usually paid after the contract is signed and commonly payable within 24–72 hours. Funds are held in a trust account until settlement.

Settlement is the final stage where the balance is paid and ownership transfers, typically 30–90 days. Before settlement, buyers are generally entitled to a pre-settlement inspection to confirm the property remains in the same condition and agreed inclusions are present.