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Conveyancing · NSW property

Buying a property in NSW

Buying a home or investment property in NSW? We review the contract before you sign or bid, explain the special conditions, the cooling-off period and your deposit, and look after everything through to settlement, which happens online.

Make an enquiryCall (02) 9557 9000
4.9 from 248 Google reviews30+ years serving Sydney

How we can help

  • 4.9

    from Google reviews

    As at October 2026

  • 30+

    years in legal service

    Supplied by CM Lawyers

  • $6.7B+

    in property settlements and advice

    Supplied by CM Lawyers

  • 2024–26

    Alex Sapounas — Best 3 Conveyancers in Sydney

    ThreeBest Rated 2024, 2025 & 2026

  • 2015

    Investors Choice Awards — Conveyancer winner (NSW)

    Supplied by CM Lawyers

Google rating as at October 2026. Years, settlement figure and awards supplied by CM Lawyers.

Before you commit

Before you sign or bid

Buying a home or investment property in NSW? We review the contract before you sign or bid, explain the special conditions, the cooling-off period and your deposit, and look after everything through to settlement, which happens online. Our licensed conveyancer, Alex Sapounas, works from our office in Marrickville, in Sydney's Inner West.

Ask the agent for a copy of the contract as early as you can, and send it to us before you make an offer or bid at auction.

We check the title, the planning certificate, any easements or covenants, the special conditions and, for a strata unit, the strata information. We tell you what each one means for you, what may be worth negotiating, and what else to check before you commit, such as building and pest inspections and your finance approval.

Buying at auction?

There is no cooling-off period at auction. Have the contract reviewed, your finance approved and your inspections done before you bid.

The process

How a NSW purchase works, step by step

Every purchase is different, but most follow these steps.

  1. Step 1: Contract review

    Before you sign or bid

    We review the contract and the documents attached to it, explain anything unusual and raise questions with the seller's representative.

  2. Step 2: Exchange and cooling-off

    5 business days (10 for off the plan)

    When you buy a home in NSW by private treaty, you usually have a five-business-day cooling-off period after exchange. If you pull out during that time, you must pay the seller 0.25% of the price. There is no cooling-off period if you buy at auction, or if a 66W certificate is given before exchange. Off-the-plan residential contracts have a 10-business-day cooling-off period.

  3. Step 3: Deposit

    At exchange

    You pay a deposit when contracts are exchanged. The amount and who holds it are set out in the contract, and we explain them before you exchange.

  4. Step 4: Finance, inspections and insurance

    Have your finance approved and your building and pest inspections done before you exchange. We tell you when to arrange insurance on the property.

  5. Step 5: Pre-settlement inspection

    In the days before settlement

    Shortly before settlement, you can inspect the property to check its condition.

  6. Step 6: Online settlement

    On the date set in your contract

    Settlement happens electronically. The balance of the price is paid, transfer duty is paid if it has not been already, and the transfer (and any new mortgage) is lodged with NSW Land Registry Services for registration.

Transfer duty

Transfer duty and first home buyer help

You usually have to pay transfer duty (stamp duty) when you buy property in NSW. It is calculated on a sliding scale on the higher of the price and the property's market value, and it must be paid within 3 months of the contract date, or by settlement if that is earlier.

First home buyers may be eligible for an exemption or a concession. Thresholds and conditions change, so we check the current rules with you; Revenue NSW publishes the current rates. Read more on our first home buyers page.

Property types

Houses, strata units, company title and off-the-plan

Who will help you

Your conveyancer

  • Alex Sapounas

    Alex Sapounas

    Licensed Conveyancer

    Alex handles conveyancing at CM Lawyers and has been with the firm since 2003. He works from our Marrickville office and can take you through your contract, your deadlines and the settlement figures before you commit.

    Read Alex's profile: Alex Sapounas

Costs

What it costs

The total cost of a purchase is usually made up of our professional fee, disbursements (amounts we pay to others for you, such as searches, certificates, electronic settlement fees and NSW Land Registry Services registration fees) and transfer duty, which is a NSW Government tax.

Before we start work, we give you a written estimate of our costs and the likely disbursements. If anything changes the estimate, we tell you as soon as we can.

Questions

Common questions from buyers

How long is the cooling-off period in NSW?

For most residential property bought by private treaty, it runs until 5pm on the fifth business day after exchange. For an off-the-plan residential contract it is 10 business days. It does not apply if you buy at auction or if you give the seller a 66W certificate.

Is there a cooling-off period at auction?

No. There is no cooling-off period if you buy at auction, or on the same day as an auction after the property is passed in. Have the contract reviewed, your finance approved and your inspections done before you bid.

When is transfer duty paid?

Within 3 months of the contract date, or by settlement if that is earlier. We arrange payment as part of your purchase.

What if my finance falls through?

If you have exchanged without a finance condition, you are generally still bound to complete, and you could lose your deposit if you cannot. Talk to us straight away. Read more: Finance fell through after exchange in NSW? What happens next.

Do I need a paper certificate of title?

No. Paper certificates of title ceased to have legal effect in NSW from 11 October 2021, and settlement happens electronically.

Guides

Guides for buyers

Conveyancing enquiries

Talk to us about your purchase

Send us the property address or the contract, and tell us about any dates coming up, such as an auction. We'll tell you what to check before you sign and what it will cost.

Call (02) 9557 9000

If you are about to exchange contracts or bid at auction, please call us.

Send an enquiry

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See our privacy policy for how we handle personal information.

What happens next

  1. We read your enquiry and contact you to talk about your purchase.
  2. We explain what we will do and give you a written estimate of our costs and disbursements.
  3. If you decide to go ahead, we verify your identity and start work on the contract.

Our office

Level 3, Unit 3.07
18–30 Faversham Street
Marrickville NSW 2204

Get directions (opens in a new tab)

Opening hours

Monday to Friday
9:00am to 5:00pm

Getting here

You can drive up to Level 3, and two hours' free parking is available at the Wicks Place car park, 186 Victoria Road.

General information only

This page gives general information about buying property in NSW as at October 2026. It is not legal advice about your situation. Laws, fees and duty thresholds change, so please speak with us before you act.

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Level 3, Unit 3.07, 18–30 Faversham Street
Marrickville NSW 2204

(02) 9557 9000
lawyers@cmlaw.com.au

Disclaimer: This website provides general information only. Nothing on this site should be taken to comprise legal advice or used as a substitute for detailed and competent legal advice. While the information contained in this website is believed to be accurate and current, it is provided by CMLawyers in good faith on an “as is” basis. CMLawyers, its directors, officers or employees make no representation or warranty as to the reliability, accuracy or completeness of the information contained on this website, and none of them accept any responsibility arising in any way (including negligence) for errors in, or omissions from, the information contained in this website.

CM Lawyers  ·  Level 3, Unit 3.07, 18–30 Faversham Street, Marrickville NSW 2204  ·  (02) 9557 9000  ·  lawyers@cmlaw.com.au