Property and conveyancing lawyers in Newcastle, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, the Central Coast & Sydney.
Buying or selling property is a serious financial commitment. A missed deadline, unclear contract term, or overlooked clause can have significant consequences long after settlement, which is why obtaining the right legal advice early is critical.
At Turnbull Hill Lawyers, we have supported over 27,000 clients since 1969, including homeowners, developers, and financial institutions.
Our conveyancing lawyers have the in-depth knowledge and experience to guide you through the entire process smoothly.
Gain reliable, responsive and timely advice for any property transaction.
Our property and conveyancing services
Our conveyancing and property lawyers possess expertise in the following areas:
- Dealing with all types of title, including torrens, old system, qualified, strata and community.
- Acting for buyers and sellers of residential and commercial property, including drafting and advising on contracts.
- Acting for lenders and borrowers in respect of residential mortgage transactions and commercial loan transactions.
- Acting for lessors and lessees in respect of commercial lease
- Acting for land developers in respect of subdivisions in relation to land under torrens title, strata and community title (including drafting and registering section 88B instruments creating easements, rights of way, restrictions as to user, etc.).
- Creating easements by way of transfer.
- Acting for individuals in respect of resumptions of property by Councils and the Roads & Maritime Services (Road Traffic Authority – RTA).
- Elder law – Advising people who are considering going into a retirement village or nursing home (including advising them about deeds of licence and other “retirement living” documentation).
Buying a property
Buying a property in NSW? Do not let unclear contract clauses, title restrictions, planning controls, or finance deadlines put your deposit at risk.
Once contracts are exchanged, you are locked into critical dates and strict legal terms that can be difficult and expensive to change if unexpected issues arise. Early legal advice helps ensure you understand your commitments before they become binding.
At Turnbull Hill Lawyers, we handle the entire conveyancing process for buyers, from the moment you find your dream property to when you get the keys. Receive clear advice and invaluable guidance at every stage of your purchase.
Our conveyancing solicitors can help you:
- Review your contract and flag risks, unusual clauses, or unfavourable terms
- Explain the contract clearly so you understand your rights, obligations, and options
- Carry out title checks and property searches to identify easements, restrictions, or other issues
- Negotiate contract changes to better protect your position or meet your needs
- Coordinate with lenders, brokers, councils, and NSW Land Registry Services
- Manage exchange of contracts and key deadlines, including the cooling-off period
Selling a property
When you are selling a property, delays and legal mistakes at any stage can cost you time, money, and buyers. From preparing the contract to settlement, each step needs to be handled carefully to keep the purchaser engaged and the transaction on track.
Our qualified conveyancing solicitors provide legal advice throughout the whole process so that your property can be listed and sold without delay. We strive to reduce risk, keep you informed, and help you finalise settlement as seamlessly as possible.
We take care of the legal side of your sale, including:
- Preparing a compliant contract for sale and required searches
- Liaising with your agent, the buyer’s lawyer, and the relevant authorities
- Handling contract negotiations, special conditions, and deadlines
- Managing exchange and settlement to ensure a seamless transfer of title
New South Wales’ trusted conveyancing and property law firm
Conveyancing lawyers for 50+ years
With decades of experience in NSW property and conveyancing Law, we understand how to navigate the most complex transaction matters. Gain practical, forward-thinking advice designed to protect your interests not just at settlement, but well into the future.
Clear guidance for buying or selling
Buying and selling property can quickly feel overwhelming. From your first consultation to settlement, we explain each step in plain English to keep you informed throughout. With our conveyancing solicitors, you will always understand what is happening and why.
Efficient transactions
Timing matters in property transactions. That is why we work fast to keep your sale or purchase on track, responding to enquiries and addressing issues proactively. Progress smoothly towards settlement, without the stress or setbacks.
Reliable service
In conveyancing, small errors can lead to serious consequences. Rest assured knowing our solicitors take a thorough and considered approach to every property matter. We act in your best interests, providing dependable solutions so you can make informed decisions.
Trusted by thousands
Thousands of clients across NSW rely on our property and conveyancing law firm. Our proven reputation has been built on consistent results, dependable advice, and a strong commitment to actioning every task with rigorous attention to detail.
No hidden fees
When it comes to property, you need peace of mind in your legal costs. We provide transparent, upfront conveyancing quotes and flexible pricing options so that you can plan your conveyancing transaction with confidence.
Navigate conveyancing matters with peace of mind
Our conveyancing and property lawyers in NSW are here to help you buy or sell with practical, proactive and personalised legal strategies.
What our clients say
Elizabeth helped us with purchasing our first home. We had a bunch of questions and she was always approachable and happy to explain things in a way we could understand.
We recently finalised our matter with Elizabeth and she was excellent. She provided clear guidance throughout the process and liaised with external professionals to help move our matter forward efficiently. She generous with her time, including meeting with us on additional occasions to ensure we felt confident and well informed at every stage. Extremely professional, diligent and approachable, we would highly recommend Elizabeth!
Mitchell is great! Very professional, genuine and caring. I would recommend him to everyone. Excellent! 5 stars.
I recently sold and purchased property, Mitchell was fantastic. He was professional, available to answer any questions and responded very quickly. Mitchell displayed professionalism throughout our dealings and was always very approachable. I would highly recommend Mitchell to guide you through the process of buying and selling.
I have never called a lawyer but I’m definitely 100% glad I called.
Our property and conveyancing solicitors in Newcastle, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, the Central Coast & Sydney
Get started in 3 simple steps
If you need help, get in touch with our property and conveyancing law firm. We will give your matter the care it deserves.
Book a consultation
Call our friendly team on 1800 994 279 or contact us today.
Tell us your story
Your property and conveyancing lawyer will listen carefully to your needs and guide you with indispensable legal advice.
Receive the right support
Receive tailored support at every stage of the property purchase process, whether you are buying or selling.
Frequently asked questions
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of a property from one party to another after its sale. It covers everything that happens from the moment an offer is accepted through to when the keys are handed over.
This process includes preparing and reviewing contracts, carrying out property searches, meeting legal requirements, managing key dates, and coordinating the settlement process.
While conveyancing can be complex, its purpose is simple: to ensure property is bought and sold fairly, transparently, and in accordance with the law.
The key difference is that a conveyancing lawyer is a qualified solicitor, while a professional conveyancer is not.
Both can manage the standard steps involved in buying or selling property, such as reviewing contracts and overseeing settlement.
However, an experienced conveyancing solicitor can also provide broader legal advice and represent you if a dispute arises. This may include issues such as contract enforcement, boundary disputes, easements, or unexpected legal complications.
Most transactions proceed smoothly, but if something goes wrong, having a solicitor involved from the start can save time, stress, and cost.
Buying a commercial or residential property in NSW follows a clear legal process designed to protect the purchaser. It tends to follow the below steps:
- Reviewing the contract of sale: Once you receive the contract, your conveyancing lawyer reviews it in detail and explains the terms, conditions, and any issues that could affect how you use the property, such as zoning rules, development limits, or unauthorised works.
- Property searches: Your lawyer carries out a range of searches to uncover potential issues, including planning restrictions, land tax liabilities, heritage listings, or title concerns that may impact the property’s value or future use.
- Obtaining finance: If you are buying with a mortgage, your lawyer works alongside your lender or broker to coordinate loan documents and ensure finance is in place ahead of settlement.
- Exchange of contracts: Contracts are signed by both parties and exchanged, and the buyer pays a deposit. In most residential private treaty sales in NSW, a five-business-day cooling-off period applies.
- Settlement: Settlement generally takes place around six weeks after exchange. At this point, the balance of the purchase price is paid, the title is transferred into your name, and you receive the keys to your new property.
Selling a property in NSW involves a series of legal steps that start before your home is even listed and continue through to settlement, when the sale is finalised, and ownership is transferred to the buyer.
General stages include:
- Prepare the contract of sale: Your lawyer prepares legal documents such as the contract of sale and required disclosures so that everything is ready before buyers start inspecting the property.
- Negotiating with buyers: When a buyer shows interest, your lawyer handles any questions or proposed changes to the contract, helping avoid misunderstandings or last-minute surprises.
- Exchange of contracts: Once both parties sign and exchange contracts, the property sale becomes legally binding, and the buyer pays their deposit. At this stage, you are committed to the sale.
- Clearing existing liabilities: On settlement, your lawyer takes care of paying out any existing mortgage or encumbrances on the property so the title can transfer cleanly.
- Settlement: On settlement day, the remaining funds are received, property ownership is transferred to the buyer, and the sale is officially complete.
Conveyancing issues most often arise when key legal, financial, or timing details are overlooked, which can expose both buyers and sellers to unnecessary risk in a property transaction. Common pitfalls include:
- Poor due diligence: Failing to carry out thorough searches and property inspections can lead to unexpected problems, such as boundary disputes, unauthorised structures, or restrictions on how the property can be used.
- Misinterpreted contract terms: Contract clauses and special conditions must be clearly understood before exchange. Misinterpretation can result in disputes, additional costs, or loss of rights under the contract.
- Finance setbacks: If finance isn’t finalised before exchange or settlement, buyers may be forced to proceed using their own funds or risk losing their deposit.
- Missed deadlines: NSW conveyancing involves strict timeframes, including cooling-off periods and settlement dates. Missing these can lead to penalties, forfeiture of the deposit, or contract termination.
- Not engaging a conveyancing lawyer: Prompt legal advice from an experienced conveyancing lawyer helps identify issues, manage deadlines, and protect your financial and legal interests throughout the transaction.
While hiring a conveyancing lawyer is not a strict legal requirement in NSW, this professional will ensure you meet all legal obligations when buying or selling property.
With the introduction of electronic conveyancing and mandatory online settlements, it is no longer practical to manage a property transaction alone. Engaging a lawyer helps ensure compliance, accuracy, and a stress-free experience throughout the process.
Ideally, you should engage a lawyer when you appoint a real estate agent. This allows your contract of sale to be prepared before the property is marketed.
Your conveyancing lawyer will manage the transaction from contract preparation through to settlement, including discharging any mortgage and ensuring funds are correctly paid to you at the end of the sale.
It is best to engage a conveyancing lawyer before you start seriously inspecting properties. This allows you to act quickly when a suitable property is found and have the contract reviewed before signing.
If you have already found a property, engage a lawyer as soon as possible and always before exchanging contracts.
In NSW, once contracts are exchanged, changes are difficult and costly. During the cooling-off period, buyers risk forfeiting part of their deposit if they withdraw.
Your conveyancing lawyer will explain these risks clearly and help ensure you take all necessary steps to minimise them.
We provide conveyancing services for properties located across Newcastle, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, the Central Coast and Sydney.
The exact cost of a conveyancing lawyer depends on whether you are buying or selling, the complexity of the transaction, and where the property is located.
At Turnbull Hill Lawyers, we offer a free initial phone consultation to understand your conveyancing needs and provide a clear, tailored cost estimate upfront, so that you know exactly what to expect from the outset.
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