From the moment you find a property to the day you collect your keys, our team guides you through every legal step with expert advice, clear communication, and no surprises.
Our residential purchase service covers every step - from pre-contract advice to post-settlement follow-up. Nothing is excluded, nothing is an unexpected extra.
We review the contract of sale and Section 32 Vendor's Statement in full, advising you on title encumbrances, easements, caveats, planning overlays, and special conditions before you sign.
We conduct all required property searches - title search, planning certificate, council rates, land tax, water/sewerage, and any additional searches relevant to your specific property.
We advise on stamp duty liability, first home buyer concessions, FHOG eligibility, and the First Home Guarantee - ensuring you claim every entitlement available to you.
We liaise directly with your bank or broker to coordinate loan documentation, discharge conditions, and settlement timing so nothing falls through the gaps on settlement day.
We prepare transfer documentation, verify settlement figures, arrange adjustment of rates and outgoings, and confirm all parties are ready - well before settlement day.
We complete settlement electronically via PEXA - faster, safer, and more reliable than paper-based settlement. We notify you immediately when settlement is confirmed and your keys are yours.
We manage Foreign Resident Capital Gains Withholding requirements. From 1 January 2025, a 15% withholding applies to all property sales - we ensure full compliance for buyers and sellers.
We confirm title registration, utility transfers, and ensure every loose end is tied up after settlement - so you can focus on moving in, not paperwork.
Understanding what happens and when is one of the most important things we can give you. Here is exactly how a residential purchase works when you engage Cityside.
Important - auction purchases: When buying at auction, you sign the contract unconditionally on the day. There is no cooling-off period. We strongly recommend engaging us before auction day to review the Section 32 and advise you on risks.
Tell us about the property and send us the contract and Section 32. We provide a cost estimate and confirm our engagement in writing.
We review all documents and report back to you in plain English. We flag any concerns and advise on whether to proceed, negotiate, or walk away.
Once you are satisfied and conditions are met, contracts are exchanged. The cooling-off period applies for private sales (3 business days in Victoria).
We order all required searches and reviews - planning, council, title, water, and any additional searches specific to your property type or location.
We prepare the transfer of land, liaise with your bank, and arrange all documentation required to complete the transaction.
We complete settlement electronically. Funds transfer, title registration is lodged - and we notify you the moment it is done.
We read contracts in full. Not a summary - every clause, every special condition. If something is unusual or unfair, we flag it and advise you before you are committed.
Fixed, transparent fees. Our quote includes professional fees, all required searches, and disbursements. No surprise invoices at settlement - ever.
We communicate in plain English. No jargon, no unexplained acronyms. If you do not understand something, we explain it until you do.
Available and responsive. You will not be passed to a junior or left waiting days for a reply. Your matter receives consistent, attentive service.
Bilingual English & Vietnamese. We serve Melbourne's Vietnamese community with full-service conveyancing in both languages - documents, advice, and direct communication.
Yes - ideally before you sign. Once you sign a contract in Victoria, you are legally bound to it (subject to any cooling-off or conditional clauses). We can review the Section 32 and contract quickly so you can proceed with confidence, or we can identify issues that should be negotiated before you sign.
A standard residential search package includes: title search, planning certificate (Section 60), council rates certificate, water/sewerage search, land tax clearance, and a PEXA workspace. Depending on the property, we may also recommend building permit searches, VicRoads, or additional authority enquiries.
For private sales in Victoria, buyers have a 3 business day cooling-off period after signing the contract. If you withdraw during this period, you forfeit 0.2% of the purchase price. There is no cooling-off period for auction purchases - which is why pre-auction Section 32 review is so important.
Stamp duty (land transfer duty) in Victoria is calculated on the purchase price or property value, whichever is greater. First home buyers may be entitled to a full exemption (properties up to $600,000) or concession (up to $750,000). We provide a stamp duty estimate as part of our initial consultation.
Call our team for an initial conversation. We review the contract, advise on your position, and provide a clear fee quote - no obligation.