Advice Needed on Parting Way with Conveyancing Service

LOminersh on 16/07/2020 - 16:42

What's happening

  • I'm a first home buyer and looking to buy in the the south west area of Sydney (suburbs around Campbelltown).
  • I'm working with a conveyancing office, who's located in the northern beaches area through recommendation.
  • The way they work is that, they'll help me review a reasonable number of contracts (e.g. up to 10) and will only charge $2000 on settlement. For the past 2.5 months, I have asked them to review only 1 contract for an auction property. I did not win the auction though.
  • Through 1 contract review, it feels like they don't care.
    • They are not responsive. It could go for days without getting in touch, which made me anxious.
    • They do not understand the area at all and did not make effort to do so.
    • They did not explain things to a newbie like me properly. I'm in the dark on many matters. But they just say that it's okay.
    • They do not work on Monday. I've lost one property that I really liked because the vendors could not wait until Tuesday for my conveyancer to review the contract. So, they decided to sell to another person 5K cheaper, who agrees to sign on Monday…

My question

  • Can I part way with them and choose a different conveyancer? On one hand, I feel like I'd betray their trust if I stop working with them. On the other hand, this is one of the biggest financial decisions/projects of my life and the frustration is real.
Home & Garden

Comments

  • MS Paint on 16/07/2020 - 16:49
    +5

    The way they work is that, they'll help me review a reasonable number of contracts (e.g. up to 10) and will only charge $2000 on settlement.

    Is this a Sydney thing? In my 25 years of property buying I have never heard of such an agreement.

    • dasher86 on 16/07/2020 - 16:53

      that's how my conveyancer kind of works.

  • MrHyde on 16/07/2020 - 17:03
    +2

    Sure, pay them $200 or a reasonable negotiated amount for the one contract they have reviewed and get it in writing that it covers all of your liabilities to them and contract is cancelled

    • Ominersh on 16/07/2020 - 17:24

      This is a good idea. Even though I haven't signed anything with them, doing this is faithful.

      • MrHyde on 16/07/2020 - 17:27
        +2

        If there is no signed contract in place, you owe them nothing. However, giving them something for the time they have spent would be the right thing to do.

        • JIMB0 on 16/07/2020 - 17:59

          I'd give them nothing if I missed out on a property because of them.

        • MrBear on 17/07/2020 - 14:48

          That's not true. Many people use services of businesses without signing a contract and pay an invoice later.

  • garetz on 16/07/2020 - 17:06
    +3

    They are not responsive. It could go for days without getting in touch, which made me anxious.

    They are all like that pretty much.

    They do not understand the area at all and did not make effort to do so.

    Why should they understand the area? Their job is to do legal work for you, its irrelevant.

    They did not explain things to a newbie like me properly. I'm in the dark on many matters. But they just say that it's okay.

    Their job is not to educate you on the finer points of contract law, their job is to do their job, and thats what you are paying them for.

    They do not work on Monday. I've lost one property that I really liked because the vendors could not wait until Tuesday for my conveyancer to review the contract. So, they decided to sell to another person 5K cheaper, who agrees to sign on Monday…

    Outside their control, its not their fault, shit happens as they say.

    It seems to me you are expecting an awful lot from them outside of their purview, if you want hand holding, maybe get a lawyer that charges by the hour.

    • Ominersh on 16/07/2020 - 17:33
      +1
      • They should understand the area for matters in the contract that are specific to that council. I read at other places where conveyancers know what the council is up to (e.g. planning, flood control, etc.) to and are able to recommend changes to the contract to make it fairer.
      • I honestly don't expect to them to explain everything to me, but things that I am concerned about. And that's what they told me to ask if I'm concerned.
      • The thing about Monday is not a complaint why they don't work on Monday. It's more like, I should look for another conveyancer who works on Monday to give me more advantages.
    • abb on 16/07/2020 - 17:34
      +3

      their job is to do their job, and thats what you are paying them for.

      Customer service is a part of many jobs, and they have failed at it, and thus won't be getting much (if any) money from OP…

      I agree they shouldn't research the area, but some explanations seem like a reasonable thing to provide.

  • tayvid on 16/07/2020 - 17:17
    +5

    I think you need to engage another conveyancer/solicitor. Like you said, this is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make. If you don't feel 100% comfortable, move on. I bought my first home 6 months ago (VIC) and fortunately I had a family friend (solicitor) do the conveyancing. I didn't choose her because she's our family friend but because I knew I'd be in good hands. Like yourself, I was a newbie being a first time home buyer but she made feel at ease. Every question I asked was promptly answered with a full explanation. Best of luck with your new home!

    • Ominersh on 16/07/2020 - 22:41

      Lucky you and thank you!

  • Mulga Bill on 16/07/2020 - 17:23
    +2

    I am a Home Lender in SA for 15 years and have not seen this either. Are they reviewing the contract to make sure you are not signing something bad? I would think if the agreement with the conveyancer is $2000 payment at settlement you should be Ok to cancel as long as you don't go ahead with the contract they reviewed?

    On a side note (in SA) a conveyancer is your legal representative who organises the transfer of ownership from vendor to purchasor. Their services costs around $1000 here (even without reviewing contracts for you) so where you are they may charge around $2000 regardless (ie free contract review?). There are also other settlement costs too to factor in such as paying council rates till the end of the financial year, conveyancer's office costs (printing etc), ID verification costs etc so I normally allow $3000 for conveyancing when I calculated customer costs.

    As a compromise you may be able to see if they will be your conveyancer (to transferring the ownership) but not take up the service of the contract review if you don't see the value in it?

    • Ominersh on 16/07/2020 - 17:42
      • I believe that the average cost of conveyancing here in Sydney is around $1500 including contract review, title search and settlement process. However, it's broken down into parts. Contract review costs around $400-500. If one decides not to exchange the contract, then, the next time, another $400-500 is payable.
      • The way this conveyancing service works guarantees that the client will only pay a maximum of $2000 per property purchase. If a buyer gets the offer accepted 10 times but not signing the contract after review 10 times, there's something absolutely wrong.
  • ihbh on 16/07/2020 - 19:09

    through recommendation

    What was the recommendation?

    • Ominersh on 16/07/2020 - 22:34

      Well, a mortgage broker recommended them to me, when I first started this hellish journey.

      • ihbh on 16/07/2020 - 22:39

        On what basis? (to get kickback, his relative, friend? got pictures of him?)

        • Ominersh on 16/07/2020 - 22:50

          No, it's just that they've been doing business with each other. And he thinks that the conveyancing service is really good.

  • Seraphin7 on 16/07/2020 - 20:05

    Can I part way with them and choose a different conveyancer?

    Of course you can. Simply send your business to another conveyancer. They'll never know unless you tell them. The only further contact you need have is to settle any account you may have with them.

    • Ominersh on 16/07/2020 - 22:37

      Will there be any consequences?

      • Seraphin7 on 17/07/2020 - 11:06

        Like what? The only conceivable consequence is that you'll be hit with a bill for their time to date.

  • newak on 16/07/2020 - 20:47

    If you want a conveyancer who understands the area then get one from your local area.

    • Ominersh on 16/07/2020 - 22:36

      Thanks. That's what I've learnt after 3 months of looking. Only problem is that I'm worried about consequences of stopping doing business with them.

      • brad1-8tsi on 17/07/2020 - 15:36

        I don't get the "need to know area".

        The only time I've found this beneficial is buying 100 year old terraces / semi-detached places with party walls and fences that were built before GPS surveying became common.

        What is specifically unique about Campbelltown, Oran Park, Ambarvale, etc?

  • Zachary on 17/07/2020 - 13:17

    Who needs one? Just go out, look for the house you want, and then pay the seller cash. Done deal - not that hard…

    • Ughhh on 17/07/2020 - 16:59

      You've obviously never bought a house before.

      It's not like buying a packet of chips lmao

      • Zachary on 18/07/2020 - 00:23

        Yes it is…or it should be if it isn't…

        • Ughhh on 18/07/2020 - 00:31

          Uhh no, Maybe in a childrens world. There are things called contracts. Also paperwork that needs to be filed correctly- banks, Gov etc, or risk big headaches.

          You dont want to find out that you don't really own the house some decades later.

          Have you ever bought a house or got involved in the process?? Or are you just dreaming?

          • Zachary on 22/07/2020 - 18:22

            @Ughhh: Have you ever bought a house before? Surely it's not that stressing or difficult to look, ask questions if any and then hand over your money to the seller or to the builders if you want to build one instead from scratch after giving them a picture of what you want the house to look like.

            • Ughhh on 22/07/2020 - 18:32

              @Zachary: Yes I have bought a house.

              Surely it's not that stressing or difficult to look, ask questions if any and then hand over your money to the seller or to the builders

              No offence, but you're obviously either very young or lack life experience and lived a very sheltered life.

              You trust the seller or real estate agent to be 100% truthful? Because they don't have to tell you everything.

              When you're dealing with a large some of money, you better make sure you are the legal owner of the house and have paperwork to prove it.

              • Zachary on 30/07/2020 - 16:58

                @Ughhh:

                Yes I have bought a house.

                Damn….I'm now jelly…

                No offence, but you're obviously either very young or lack life experience and lived a very sheltered life.

                Well…. I have been living in a basement of a room my entire life ….sooooooooooooooo……………..

                You trust the seller or real estate agent to be 100% truthful? Because they don't have to tell you everything.

                If you don't, where or how else are you gonna buy a house then?? Build your own? I guess that could be feasiable…just like minecraft, terraria and starbound….the problem would then just be find the right blocks….and materials….

                When you're dealing with a large some of money, you better make sure you are the legal owner of the house and have paperwork to prove it.

                What is this? Why is it getting complicated??

                • Ughhh on 30/07/2020 - 19:14

                  @Zachary: Not sure if you're trolling or not… I hope you are.

                  It'll all make sense once you're an adult.

  • HeWhoKnows on 17/07/2020 - 16:51

    It appears to me that OP hasnt really engaged them.
    OP hasnt paid anything up front.

    Time to move on

    PS Conveyancing costs for a purchaser is more like $1,000
    You are being ripped off big time

    Just stop all communication with them.

    • subywagon on 30/07/2020 - 18:35

      Don't know why you got negged as your advice is spot on.

  • Tigercjn on 17/07/2020 - 18:57

    Just decide not to buy due to covid and tell them.

    When you think the time is right or you see the property you like get a new conveyancer.

  • ozbjunkie on 20/07/2020 - 00:21

    If they bill you when you stop using them. Tell them you don't work Mondays… Or Tuesday, or any other day.

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