By admin 
Buying or selling property is exciting, but conveyancing can slow things down if you’re not prepared. This legal process involves transferring ownership from one person to another and must be completed before settlement.
While some delays are unavoidable, many can be managed or prevented with good planning.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, understanding how to speed up the conveyancing process can help you avoid unnecessary stress and get into your new property sooner.
Choose your conveyancer early
One of the most effective ways to keep the process moving is to engage a conveyancer as early as possible. Many people wait until after signing a contract, but by that point, precious time can be lost. A good conveyancer will review documents before you sign and identify any concerns right away.
Your conveyancer handles critical tasks such as reviewing the contract of sale, performing property searches and lodging legal documents. Choosing someone with local experience and strong communication skills makes a big difference.
Ask your agent, mortgage broker or friends for recommendations and compare quotes if needed. Just don’t wait until the last minute.
Prepare your paperwork in advance
Conveyancing relies heavily on documents. If you’re selling, you’ll need to provide proof of identity, details about the property and any disclosures required under local law. Buyers must supply finance details, identity verification and other information.
Delays often happen when people can’t locate the right paperwork or respond quickly to requests. Keep your identification, loan pre-approval and other relevant records organised and ready to go.
If you’re unsure what documents are required, ask your conveyancer early on so there are no surprises later.
Be responsive and available
Even if your conveyancer is on top of everything, the process will stall if you’re slow to return calls or sign forms. Replying to emails, providing requested documents and signing contracts on time can shave days—or even weeks—off the total time.
Electronic signing has made this much easier. Many documents can now be completed digitally, allowing for faster turnaround. Let your conveyancer know the best way to reach you and check your inbox regularly throughout the process.
The more responsive you are, the smoother things will go.
Secure your finances quickly
Finance delays are a common cause of conveyancing hold-ups. If you’re relying on a home loan, it’s essential to get pre-approval early and stay in touch with your lender. Missing documents, changes to your financial situation or bank delays can all affect the timeline.
Work closely with your mortgage broker or banker to ensure the valuation, approval and documentation process moves forward without hiccups.
Once you have formal loan approval, send confirmation to your conveyancer immediately so they can continue preparing for settlement.
Understand property searches and reports
Your conveyancer will order a range of property searches to ensure there are no legal or planning issues that could affect the sale. These include title searches, zoning certificates, land tax clearances and more.
Some of these can take several days or even weeks, depending on the council or authority involved. While your conveyancer will handle the logistics, understanding what these reports are and why they’re needed can help you stay patient and avoid unnecessary concerns.
If you’re under time pressure, ask whether any reports can be fast-tracked or if interim options are available.
Avoid last-minute contract changes
Another frequent cause of delays is contract renegotiation. This might happen if one party wants to change the settlement date, add conditions or dispute a clause. While sometimes necessary, these changes should be made early, not a few days before settlement.
Work closely with your conveyancer and real estate agent to ensure the contract terms are fair and final before signing. If anything seems unclear, raise it immediately rather than waiting until later in the process.
Making changes late in the game often leads to rework, legal review and frustration for everyone involved.
Schedule inspections and reports early
If you’re buying a property, building and pest inspections should be booked as soon as your offer is accepted. Waiting too long can lead to scheduling conflicts or rushed reports that miss important issues.
Your conveyancer will also need time to review these reports and advise you on next steps. If problems are found, you may want to negotiate repairs or price adjustments—both of which can take time to finalise.
Getting these inspections out of the way early gives you more flexibility to act before key deadlines.
Conveyancing doesn’t have to be a drawn-out or stressful process. With early preparation, strong communication and proactive decision-making, you can avoid the most common delays and move forward with confidence.
Choosing the right conveyancer, staying on top of your responsibilities and acting quickly when needed are all essential steps. Whether you’re buying or selling, taking the time to manage your side of the transaction helps keep things on track and ensures a smooth transition on settlement day.
