Document
The complete contract
Include the Contract of Sale and the disclosure, title or strata material supplied with it.
Buying property in Sydney and NSW
Conveyancing for property buyers in Sydney
Aquarius Lawyers can help you review the Contract of Sale, check the property records, manage exchange and prepare for settlement. Contact us before you sign or bid at auction.
This guide covers NSW property. For another state or territory, include the property location and your next deadline in the enquiry. Aquarius Lawyers confirms the proposed work in writing.
- Contract
- Conditions, deposit and dates
- Property
- Title, strata and searches
- Settlement
- Finance, PEXA and transfer
Your buyer quote can clarify
- The work included for your purchase
- Searches and third-party charges
- The next deadline and documents needed
This guide covers Sydney and NSW property purchases. Aquarius Lawyers provides conveyancing across Australia. For another state or territory, request an Australia-wide conveyancing quote and select your property's jurisdiction.
Send the contract before you sign or bid
Send the complete contract, identify the property and tell us your next deadline.
Send your buying enquiryDecision
Your buying stage
Tell us whether you are considering an offer, an auction, exchange or an approaching settlement.
Timing
The next deadline
Name the auction, offer, cooling-off, finance or settlement date that needs attention.
Priority
Your main concern
Flag any question about finance, the deposit, strata, access, building work, tenancy or another contract term.
Auction or private treaty
When to get advice for an auction or private sale
For both an auction and a private sale, check the contract, property and deadline. The timing differs, and a cooling-off period may not be available.
Buying at auction
Review before you bid.
A successful auction bidder is generally committed when contracts are signed, without the standard cooling-off period available in many private-treaty purchases.
- Send the complete contract before auction day.
- Arrange the finance, property and strata checks relevant to your decision.
- Confirm the deposit and settlement requirements before bidding.
Private treaty
Confirm the conditions before exchange.
A residential private-treaty purchase may include a cooling-off period, but it can be changed or waived. The particular contract and transaction determine your position.
- Identify the offer or proposed exchange deadline.
- Ask which conditions or changes should be addressed before signing.
- Keep finance, searches and any cooling-off deadline visible.
Official NSW information:Contracts, cooling-off and auctions (opens in a new tab)
What buyer conveyancing can cover
Legal work for your property purchase
The work depends on the property and your stage in the purchase. Your written proposal should set out the contract review, searches and settlement work included.
The contract, title, searches and settlement details should remain consistent throughout the purchase.
Contract
Contract terms
Review the conditions, deposit, settlement date and obligations relevant to the agreed scope.
Property
Title and property records
Consider title, registered interests, plans and other property material included in the matter.
Strata
Strata or community title
Identify the by-laws, levies and records that may be relevant to a shared-property purchase.
Checks
Searches and certificates
Confirm which council, water, land-tax or other searches are proposed and which charges are additional.
Timing
Finance and exchange
Coordinate the transaction stage while keeping lender requirements and contractual dates visible.
Completion
Settlement and transfer
Prepare the matter for PEXA settlement, adjustments and registration of the transfer.
For current duty rules, thresholds and calculators, see Revenue NSW transfer duty guidance (opens in a new tab).
Buying process
The usual conveyancing steps when buying property
The steps and timing depend on the contract, property and work agreed with Aquarius Lawyers.
Request a buyer quote- 1
Review before commitment
Share the contract, property context and deadline before you bid, sign or exchange where possible.
- 2
Exchange and conditions
Address the agreed contract questions, deposit, cooling-off position and any required conditions.
- 3
Searches and coordination
Complete the searches in scope and coordinate relevant lender, identity and settlement requirements.
- 4
Settle and transfer
Finalise adjustments and PEXA documents, complete settlement and register the transfer.
Relevant success story · NSW
Contract named the wrong lot
A buyer believed they were purchasing a particular apartment with an associated car space. During the title and contract review, the lot references did not align with the physical property marketed by the agent. Relying on the street address alone would have created a serious risk that the buyer contracted for the wrong legal interest.
What the matter showed: Street addresses, unit numbers and marketing descriptions are not substitutes for the legal title. Purchasers should confirm the exact lot, plan, parking or storage interests, easements and common-property arrangements before exchange.
Content reviewer
Reviewed by Katherine Hawes
LLB, LLM · Principal Solicitor, Aquarius Lawyers
Katherine reviewed this page's contract, buying and settlement information for people considering a residential property purchase in Sydney or elsewhere in NSW.
Last reviewed 15 September 2026. General information only; obtain advice about your contract and transaction.
Get a buyer quote
Tell us about your property purchase
Tell us the property, stage and deadline. This form records only the filename and size of an optional upload. Share document contents through an approved secure channel.
Use this form for a NSW property purchase. For property in another state or territory, request an Australia-wide conveyancing quote.
Buyer enquiry sent
Thank you, . Your enquiry about has been sent to Aquarius Lawyers.
Aquarius Lawyers will use the details provided to contact you at or and confirm the next practical step.
Read about contract reviewsBuyer questions
Questions about buying property in NSW
When should I contact a conveyancer when buying property in NSW?
Contact a conveyancer before you sign a Contract of Sale or bid at auction. Share the contract, property details and next deadline so the proposed review and conveyancing scope can be confirmed for your transaction.
What can buyer conveyancing include?
Depending on the written scope, buyer conveyancing may include contract and title review, property searches, exchange support, lender and PEXA coordination, settlement adjustments, and completion of the transfer. Inclusions and exclusions should be confirmed before work begins.
What happens to the cooling-off period at auction?
A standard cooling-off period generally does not apply when residential property is bought at auction in NSW. Different rules and exceptions can apply, so obtain advice about the particular contract and transaction before bidding.
Are searches and PEXA charges included in the professional fee?
Searches, certificates, PEXA charges and other third-party disbursements are generally additional. Aquarius Lawyers can identify the likely charges and confirm the written cost proposal for your matter.
Can Aquarius Lawyers help a first-home buyer?
Yes. Aquarius Lawyers can discuss the conveyancing work and the information relevant to a first-home purchase. Eligibility for current NSW grants or transfer-duty assistance depends on your circumstances and the rules in force at the time.