Conveyancing Lawyers in Balwyn & Melbourne’s Inner East
Looking to buy or sell property in Balwyn, Canterbury, Surrey Hills, Hawthorn or Melbourne’s inner east? Grice Legal provides practical legal advice for buyers, sellers, investors, executors and developers, helping clients navigate property transactions with confidence.
Whether you are purchasing your first home, acquiring an investment property, selling a family home or dealing with a deceased estate property sale, we provide practical legal advice from contract review through to settlement.
Why Clients Choose Grice Legal
Direct access to experienced property lawyers
Residential, commercial and rural property transactions
Trusted relationship with local professionals
Over 50 years serving Balwyn and Melbourne’s Inner East
PEXA Certified electronic conveyancing
Established in Balwyn since 1974
Local knowledge of Balwyn and Melbourne’s Inner East
Fixed-scope contract review services
Before You Sign A Contract
The best time to get legal advice is before you sign a Contract of Sale. Once you sign a contract, your options may become limited, and unexpected issues can become expensive.
We offer pre-purchase contract and Section 32 reviews for buyers across Victoria. Our review process helps identify legal risks, title issues, easements, restrictive covenants, owners corporation concerns and unusual contractual conditions before you commit to the transaction.
How We Can Help
We assist purchasers of residential, investment, rural and commercial property throughout Victoria. We review contracts, advise on risks, liaise with lenders, conduct due diligence investigations, prepare settlement documentation and ensure your interests remain protected throughout the transaction.
Selling property involves more than signing a contract. We assist vendors with contract preparation, Section 32 vendor statements, negotiations with purchasers, settlement arrangements and managing unexpected issues before completion.
Executors and administrators often need to sell estate property while managing probate and estate administration obligations. Our team assists with the conveyancing aspects of deceased estate property sales and works closely with executors throughout the process.
Commercial property transactions often involve leasing arrangements, GST implications, development considerations and complex contractual terms. We provide practical advice and representation for purchasers, vendors and investors.
Why Choose a Property Lawyer Instead of a Conveyancer?
Many property transactions proceed smoothly. However, when unexpected issues arise, having access to legal advice can make a significant difference.
While both lawyers and conveyancers can assist with many property transactions, property lawyers can provide broader legal advice when matters become more complex. This is especially important when disputes arise, title issues emerge, ownership structures require review, or the transaction intersects with other areas of law such as estate planning, taxation, trusts, or family law. The firm's property practice already advises on buying, selling, leasing and more complex property matters.
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Property transactions can involve more than simply transferring title. Our lawyers can advise on legal issues that may arise before, during or after settlement, helping clients make informed decisions throughout the transaction.
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Not every property transaction is straightforward. Boundary disputes, easements, restrictive covenants, caveats, deceased estate sales, trust ownership structures and commercial property matters may require broader legal expertise.
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Where property matters overlap with wills and estates, trusts, family law or other legal issues, clients can obtain advice from the same firm rather than engaging multiple professionals. The firm's practice includes conveyancing, estate planning and deceased estates alongside other legal services.
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If a dispute develops during a transaction, a lawyer can provide advice and representation regarding your legal rights and potential options.
The Right Advice for Your Property Transaction
Whether you are buying your first home, selling an investment property, purchasing through a trust, dealing with a deceased estate sale or entering into a commercial property transaction, our property lawyers can guide you through the process from contract review to settlement.
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from one party to another. While every transaction is unique, most purchases and sales in Victoria follow a similar sequence. Our property lawyers guide clients through each stage of the transaction, helping identify risks early and ensuring settlement proceeds smoothly
The Conveyancing Process in Victoria
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The buyer and seller each engage their own legal representative (conveyancer or solicitor) to handle the conveyancing process on their behalf.
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The seller's legal representative prepares the contract of sale, which includes details such as the property's description, sale price, settlement date, and any special conditions. The buyer's legal representative reviews the contract to ensure that it accurately reflects the agreed-upon terms and conditions.
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The buyer's legal representative conducts due diligence on the property, which may include obtaining property searches, conducting inspections, and investigating any potential issues such as zoning restrictions, easements, or encumbrances.
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If the buyer requires financing to purchase the property, they apply for a home loan from a lender. The lender assesses the buyer's financial situation and the property's value to decide whether to approve the loan.
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Once both parties are satisfied with the terms of the contract and all conditions have been met, the contracts are exchanged. This involves the buyer and seller signing identical copies of the contract, which are then swapped between their legal representatives. At this point, the transaction becomes legally binding, and the deposit (usually a percentage of the purchase price) is paid by the buyer.
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In some jurisdictions, buyers may have a cooling-off period after exchanging contracts during which they can withdraw from the sale without penalty. However, this period is typically short (e.g., 3 business days) and may not apply in certain circumstances, such as auctions or when the buyer waives their right to a cooling-off period.
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Both parties' legal representatives work to prepare for settlement, which involves finalising financial arrangements, transferring property ownership, and ensuring all necessary documentation is in order.
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Before settlement, the buyer usually conducts a final inspection to ensure the property is in the same condition as when the contracts were exchanged and that any agreed-upon repairs or inclusions have been completed satisfactorily.
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On the agreed settlement date, the buyer's legal representative arranges for the payment of the remaining purchase price, and the seller's legal representative facilitates the transfer of ownership of the property from the seller to the buyer. This process often occurs electronically through the use of a settlement agent or conveyancing platform.
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After settlement, the buyer's legal representative registers the change of ownership with the relevant land registry or authority and ensures that any outstanding matters, such as payment of rates and taxes, are addressed.
Throughout the conveyancing process, both parties' legal representatives liaise with each other, as well as with real estate agents, lenders, and other relevant parties, to ensure the transaction proceeds smoothly and complies with legal requirements. Effective communication, attention to detail, and adherence to deadlines are essential for a successful conveyancing transaction, and that's what you get when you engage our solicitors at Grice Legal.
Conveyancing FAQs
While Conveyancers can assist with many transactions, a Lawyer can also provide broader legal advice on ownership structures, trusts, taxation, estate matters, and disputes.
Do I need a Lawyer or a Conveyancer?
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Ideally, before signing the contract. Early advice can identify risks and may save considerable time and expense later.
When should I have a contract reviewed?
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A Section 32 Vendor Statement contains important information about a property, including title information, outgoings and other disclosures required under Victorian law.
What is a Section 32 Statement?
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It is generally recommended that you obtain legal advice as early as possible in a property transaction. Early legal advice can help identify issues before they become harder or more costly to address.
When should I contact a conveyancing Lawyer?
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