Conveyancer & property lawyer – Hornsby NSW

Buying or selling property in Hornsby?

Have your contract reviewed before you sign. The terms can affect your legal obligations, financial exposure, and ability to proceed and once contracts are exchanged, you may already be legally bound. We assist with buying, selling and transferring property, explaining the risks and your options in plain English.

Clear advice. Court preparation. Calm and structured guidance.

Conveyancing – Done Properly

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from one party to another — reviewing contracts, checking title details, and completing settlement. In simple terms, it is the legal process behind buying or selling property.

 

Buying property

  • Review the contract of sale before you sign
  • Check title details and conduct searches
  • Review strata reports where applicable
  • Identify risks before you are legally bound
  • Coordinate settlement
 

Selling property

  • Prepare or review the draft contract
  • Confirm title details
  • Respond to buyer and agent enquiries
  • Coordinate exchange and settlement

Important: property transactions often involve strict timelines, and once contracts are exchanged you may already be legally bound. Delays in obtaining advice may affect your options.

Lawyer or Conveyancer, and When to Get Advice

A conveyancer handles standard transactions; a property lawyer handles conveyancing and provides legal advice, which matters more in higher-risk or complex matters.

 

Lawyer vs conveyancer

Conveyancer — handles standard transactions, suited to a simple purchase or sale.

Property lawyer — handles conveyancing plus legal advice, suited to higher-risk or complex matters.

When to get legal advice

  • Before signing a contract
  • Before exchange of contracts
  • Before paying a deposit
  • When dealing with unusual clauses
  • When purchasing strata or leased property
You may need to check zoning and planning information via the NSW Planning Portal. General information about conveyancing is also available from the NSW Government.

Steps in a Property Transaction (NSW)

Each stage carries its own risk if it is missed. Early advice keeps the contract, searches and timing under control before you commit.

 

1

Contract review

 

The contract is reviewed before signing to avoid unfavourable terms.

 

2

Due diligence

Title, strata and searches are checked for hidden issues.

 

3

Exchange

Contracts are exchanged this is a binding commitment.

 

4

Pre-settlement

Final checks and adjustments guard against administrative errors.

 

5

Settlement

Ownership is transferred and the transaction is finalised.

Next step

Reasonable fixed-fee options are available for many conveyancing matters, depending on the transaction and any legal risks involved.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are the issues that most often cause problems in property transactions when they are missed.

 

Strata & hidden costs

Unexpected levies or defects revealed too late.

Zoning or planning restrictions

Limits on how the property can be used.

Lease complications

Existing tenancies affecting possession or value.

Finance delays

Loan timing that puts settlement at risk.

Unexpected outgoings

Rates and adjustments you did not budget for.

Binding on exchange

Signing before advice can lock you into the contract.

What not to do: don’t sign without understanding the contract, don’t rely on verbal assurances, and don’t delay obtaining advice.

Documents to Prepare

Bringing the right documents to your consultation lets us assess your matter properly from the start.

 

If buying

  • Contract of sale
  • Loan approval
  • Strata report (if applicable)

If selling

  • Draft contract
  • Title details
  • Agent correspondence

Your First Consultation & Fees

Clients often want practical advice that is understandable and focused on identifying real risks — with clear costs from the start.

 

What happens in your first consultation

  • Review of your documents
  • Explanation of legal risks
  • Clear next steps
  • Discussion of likely costs

Fees

We offer reasonable fixed-fee options for many conveyancing matters. This depends on the nature of the transaction and any legal risks involved.

Before proceeding, your documents can be reviewed and a clear outline of costs can be provided.

Over 250 five-star Google reviews

Trusted by clients across Hornsby, Waitara, Wahroonga, Asquith, Thornleigh and Pennant Hills.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Simple answers to common questions from prospective clients.

 

In most cases, yes, to ensure the transaction is completed properly.

Yes, a solicitor can perform conveyancing work and provide legal advice if required.

Before signing or exchanging contracts.

Costs vary depending on the transaction. Fixed-fee options may be available for standard matters.

You can, but it may affect your legal position. It is usually safer to obtain advice first.

Next Step

If you are buying or selling property in Hornsby, contact Caspian Legal before proceeding. Caspian Legal assists clients in Hornsby and surrounding Upper North Shore suburbs with property and commercial legal matters.