Thinking of Buying a House?


Should I get a lawyer?

It is a good idea to get a laywer now - before you find a home you want to buy! You will need a property (or conveyancing) lawyer to actually buy a house, and a lawyer can also help you out with the process, writing conditions and clauses, checking contracts and finding out information about the house before you even make an offer. Most lawyers consider this part of the conveyancing process, so it won't cost you extra. You should, as a bare minimum, get a property lawyer to look over a sale and purchase agreement before you sign it - it is a legally binding document - so it pays to have expert advice on what you are signing.

Conveyancing costs mostly range from $800 - $1,200 for a standard residential house purchase that involves a mortgage. For this price your lawyer will work with you through your house hunt and in most cases only send you the bill once you have bought your house. Make sure you ask your lawyer upfront how much it is going to cost - including disbursements - any lawyer should be able to give you a fixed price for a standard house purchase.

If you get involved in a problematic house purchase, the bill can climb, so if you find yourself with your lawyer on speed dial, make sure they keep you up-to-date regarding costs.

For a comprehensive list of property lawyers who can help you with your house purchase, check out the New Zealand Law Society property law webpage.


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