Every year I review hundreds of contracts and vendor statements – for FREE! As my practice gets busier and busier, I keep re-evaluating my offer of free section 32 reviews but have always concluded that it is a vital part of my services. Wondering what the catch is? There is no catch! This is why:-

The tradie quote

At the moment I’m looking into renovating my kitchen. I’ve had builder after builder come out to my house and spend an hour with me, giving their thoughts and ideas, measuring and suggesting, without any guarantee that I will hire them in the end.

My free reviews are the same. I offer it as a no-obligation way to sample my knowledge and expertise, to build trust, and to provide a level of comfort. While I take care of the legalities, you can concentrate on finding the house of your dreams.

I recently received the following review, and I like the unofficial part (in bold) even more than the formal quote, because it shows the value of this process:

Thank you again for your assistance with my property purchase. I knew I was in good hands after our first phone conversation.

I have provided the below feedback for use in your advertising.

“Aliza made took the stress out of the conveyancing process and ensured that my property purchase went smoothly. She is very knowledgeable, efficient and responsive. I highly recommend Aliza and will be using Prime Property Lawyers for my next property transaction.”

Signing your life away

You know those annoying Terms and Conditions that pop up on websites? Confession: I also hit “agree” without reading them! Contracts for the Sale of Real Estate are NOT the same! I cringe when new clients come to me in excitement, having just won at auction, without getting legal advice first. “Whoops!” they say. “We weren’t expecting to bid, let alone win!”

There’s nothing you can do about the terms of a contract once you sign on the dotted line. Any negotiations must happen beforehand. And if you win at auction the risk is even higher, as there’s no cooling off period.

I would much rather spend time reviewing a contract before you sign, even if you don’t win, than having to patch up a legal mess created by a contract that you’ve signed without prior advice.

What’s the catch?

There is no catch! I’ll review your first contract and section 32 for FREE for any established residential property in Victoria. Simply email me the documents before you place your offer. You are not obliged to use me for your purchase if you are successful.

If you need additional contracts reviewed, I charge $165 (incl GST)*. However, this fee is waived for the property that you end up buying. Please note that there is an additional fee of $110 for contracts over 150 pages or for urgent (same day) reviews.

My review involves a written summary, which I will then discuss with you by phone and warn you of anything unfair or unusual. I’ll also talk you through the process, and any stamp duty exemptions and concessions that may be available. I will suggest amendments to the contract that you may wish to consider and any special conditions that you should request.

I only ask that you give me enough notice. If possible, please don’t send me a contract on Friday for a Saturday auction, as I may not have time to look at it. I’ll do my best but my turnaround time is usually 24-48 hours, depending on availability.

Good luck with the house hunting! I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Aliza Taubman is the Principal Solicitor at Prime Property Lawyers.

Thinking of buying a property in VIC? Send Aliza the contract & section 32 to review for FREE before you sign!
*Fees subject to change. Contact us for more information and current pricing.