Council rates are a compulsory annual charge levied by local councils to fund essential community services. The amount you pay is determined by the property’s Capital Improved Value (CIV) – the value of the land and buildings – and a fixed charge component. As of December 2025, council rates vary significantly across Melbourne’s 31 municipalities. […]
Conveyancing involves the legal transfer of property ownership from a seller to a buyer. It’s a crucial part of the sales process, ensuring all legal requirements are met and the title is correctly transferred. As of December 2025, conveyancing fees in Victoria typically range from $800 to $1,800, although this can vary depending on the
A breach of contract by a vendor – the seller – occurs when they fail to fulfil their obligations as outlined in the Section 32 statement and the sales contract. As of December 2025, this can have significant legal and financial consequences for the seller. In Melbourne, and particularly within the Eastern Suburbs where Fletchers
An unconditional offer to purchase a property in Melbourne means the buyer is committed to buying the property, regardless of any remaining conditions. This differs from a conditional offer, which includes clauses like subject to building inspection or finance approval. As of December 2025, unconditional offers are becoming more common in Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs, particularly
A special condition is a specific clause added to a standard Victorian property sale contract, allowing buyers or sellers to request certain actions or requirements be met before the sale is finalised. These conditions modify the standard terms and conditions of the contract to suit the individual circumstances of the property or the parties involved.
A conveyancer is a legal professional who handles the transfer of property ownership. While not legally *required*, as of December 2025, it’s extremely common – and strongly advised – for buyers in Melbourne to engage a conveyancer or solicitor to manage the legal aspects of the purchase. In Melbourne, particularly within the Eastern Suburbs where
Generally, yes, you can withdraw your offer to purchase a property in Victoria before signing the Section 32 and the contract of sale. However, it’s not quite as simple as just changing your mind, and the specifics depend on the stage of the negotiation as of December 2025. Currently in Melbourne, the process typically involves
Responding to offers is a crucial part of the sales process, and the timeframe for a vendor’s response can vary. As of December 2025, it’s common for vendors to take between 24 to 72 hours to consider an offer, though this isn’t a fixed rule. Currently in Melbourne, particularly within the Eastern Suburbs where Fletchers
In Victoria, a purchaser’s offer isn’t simply a price; it can include conditions that must be met for the sale to proceed. These conditions protect the buyer and allow them to further investigate the property or secure financing. As of December 2025, common conditions encountered in Melbourne include subject to building and pest inspections, subject
Determining if a property is overpriced involves comparing its asking price to recent sales of comparable properties in the same area, and assessing buyer engagement during the marketing campaign. As of December 2025, a realistic price reflects current market conditions and what buyers are willing to pay. In Melbourne, particularly within the Eastern Suburbs where
