Buying a property is a massive decision. It involves a lot of thought, research, and money. While some pool in their entire life savings together to pay for the house, most of them opt for a mortgage. Whatever be the payment mode, buying a house could have a long-standing impact on your finances. While the common understanding is that home buying is only about the cost of the property, there’s more to it than that. Your mortgage might not cover these costs makes it all the more important to understand the nuances. This blog delves deep into the financial transactions involved in buying a home to make it seamless and stress-free for you.
Consult the Local Authorities
Property laws vary from one region to another. Similarly, locals’ laws for property purchases are very different from the rules for foreign nationals and corporations. If you are not a citizen of Australia, here’s a great page to visit to understand the laws, guidelines, and limitations for foreign nationals in the form of the Foreign Investment Review Board: Home website. The government body is responsible for making decisions on approvals about foreigners willing to invest in the country.
If you are a citizen of Australia, the process is inward-looking and easy. First, you can start your property transaction by verifying the seller’s registration with the Land and Property Information department. Then, the seller needs to attach a copy of the Contract of Sale and other documents for registration. Hence, this becomes your one-stop shop to verify the authenticity of the property.
Understand the Stamp Duty
As a buyer, paying the stamp duty will be your responsibility. You need to contact the local authorities and find out the stamp duty, which will vary based on the property valuation. Failing to pay this within three months from the contract will invite an exchange penalty of 12.78 percent per year. Besides the property valuation, you also need to understand the stamp duty percentages, which vary by the State. The stamp duty that you pay is sent to the Office of State Revenue.
Conveyance and Registration Fees
There are numerous payments that go into buying a home. Understanding the different fees is important. You need to pay a Solicitor´s or Conveyancer’s fees for the documentation work that needs to be processed to close the property purchase. This can be done by a lawyer, a land broker, or an agent, depending on the State law. Your lender might cover the conveyance as a free service, so it would help check beforehand and save some costs.
Besides this, you must also pay the Land Titles Office a registration fee to transfer property ownership from the seller to your name. These costs depend on the property price and the local laws. Again, the solicitor or conveyancer pays this expense on your behalf. So, make sure you look for these charges and compare them with the price from the department while signing the documentation.
Besides this, if you have hired a realtor, you might have to pay those charges too. However, the realtor fees are negotiable, and there is a maximum cap for the commission in every state. Understanding these payment terms and calculating their impact on your finances is important before making a buying decision.
