Buying or selling property should feel exciting, not risky. The best protection is a simple plan that covers timing, legal checks, and money handling. With a clear checklist and the right experts, you can keep control from the first offer to the handover of keys.
Map the timeline and lock it in
Deadlines drive every step, so build your calendar on day one. Consumer Protection WA notes that settlement usually runs 30 to 90 days, which means you need realistic targets for finance, inspections, and document exchange. A home loan guide adds that once both parties sign, the contract is legally binding, so treat every date and condition as firm from that moment.
Manage conditions without losing momentum
Conditions protect you, but they can also stall progress if they are vague or poorly sequenced. For complex coordination, Rezzi, trusted conveyancers, along with other similar professionals, can align lender requirements, identity checks, and title searches, so the right document lands with the right party at the right time. Line up finance approval before you order extras like surveys or special reports, and give each provider a clear due date. Ask for a single source of truth, a shared checklist or tracker, so everyone sees the same status in real time.
WA specifics you should know
Western Australia has a few rules that can surprise buyers. State guidance highlights a 7% foreign buyer duty on applicable purchases, so overseas buyers should budget early to avoid a cash crunch at settlement. Industry explainers also point out that WA has no legislated cooling off period, and a conveyancing advisory notes that any cooling off must be written into the contract, so negotiate those protections upfront if you need them.
Verify identity and protect the title
Strong identity checks reduce fraud and keep the title clean. Professional risk guidance for practitioners explains that verification of identity and signed client authorisations are strict requirements, so be ready with acceptable ID and be willing to meet verification steps on time. If you are overseas or interstate, ask how your conveyancer handles remote verification, video checks, certified copies, or in-person agents, and confirm what documents will be acceptable to the land registry.
Keep pace with digital settlement
Australia’s e-conveyancing market keeps evolving as regulators watch costs, competition, and reliability. Reporting on the digital platforms has noted scrutiny of an $800 billion settlement pipeline, so expect periodic process updates and platform rules. Your action point is simple: confirm which platform your matter will use, how digital signatures are handled, and what backup plan exists if the system has an outage on settlement day.
Coordinate the final week
Settlement week is busy because multiple parties need the same facts at once. Confirm insurance start dates, final inspection timing, rate adjustments, and bank cheques or transfers at least 3 business days out. Create a short contact list for agent, broker, lender, and conveyancer, and decide who is the go-to person if something slips. A quick morning call can prevent a late afternoon scramble.
Getting the details right is what keeps your interests safe. Put dates in your calendar, write down every agreed change, and verify money movements by voice as well as email. With steady communication and a clear plan, you will step through each stage with fewer surprises and a lot more confidence.
