Buying your first home in NSW is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make. First home buyers conveyancing might sound complicated, but it is simply the legal process that protects you throughout the purchase.
At Jameson Law, we have guided hundreds of first home buyers through this journey. This guide breaks down everything you need to know, from making your initial offer to grabbing the keys at settlement.
What Conveyancing Actually Protects You From
The Legal Shield You Need
Conveyancing is the legal transfer of property ownership. In NSW, a conveyancer or solicitor manages the entire process: they review your contract before you sign, check the title to confirm ownership history, meet all deadlines, and coordinate with the seller’s team, your bank, and other professionals.
Without this framework, you risk purchasing one of your most expensive assets with zero protection against undisclosed defects. Over 28,000 first-home buyers across Australia took out loans in a single quarter in early 2026, and the vast majority relied on professional conveyancing support.
What You Risk Without Professional Help
A conveyancer identifies red flags in contracts before you are legally bound. They arrange essential property searches (like title checks and council zoning certificates) and handle your stamp duty applications. Without professional review, first-home buyers frequently:
- Overlook critical contract conditions.
- Miss out on government grants worth thousands.
- Fail to identify easements or council restrictions that limit how the land can be used or developed.
Skipping building and pest inspection reports before the exchange of contracts is another critical error, leaving you liable for expensive structural or termite damage after settlement.
Government Assistance You Could Lose
Stamp duty can represent tens of thousands of dollars. Depending on the property price and your eligibility for the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme (FHBAS), you could save a massive amount. Currently, eligible first-home buyers receive a full transfer duty exemption on homes valued up to $800,000, and a concessional rate applies between $800,000 and $1,000,000.
The residence requirement is frequently misunderstood: you must move into the home within 12 months after settlement and live there as your principal place of residence for 12 continuous months to retain the exemption. Professional conveyancing ensures these applications are lodged correctly before settlement so you don’t overpay.
How the Conveyancing Process Works Before Settlement
Conducting Due Diligence Before You Exchange
Before you exchange contracts, your conveyancer conducts thorough due diligence. Your conveyancer obtains a title search to verify the seller actually owns the property and identifies any mortgages, easements, or restrictions. Key searches include:
- Title Search ($150 – $300): Verifies ownership and identifies legal burdens.
- Council Zoning Certificates ($50 – $100): Confirms the property complies with local building codes.
- Strata Search Report ($100 – $200): Crucial for apartments; reveals outstanding levies or structural defects the body corporate is aware of.
- Sewer and Water Diagrams ($30 – $50): Confirms utilities connect properly.
Timing Your Searches and Inspections
The cooling-off period in NSW usually gives you only five business days to complete inspections and due diligence (note: this does not apply to auction purchases). Your conveyancer coordinates building and pest inspections immediately. Skipping a $500 inspection could leave you with a $50,000 repair bill after settlement.
Reviewing the Contract and Managing Pre-Settlement
Your conveyancer reviews the Contract of Sale line by line. Once you exchange contracts and pay your deposit (typically 5% to 10%), your conveyancer shifts focus to pre-settlement tasks.
They will lodge your FHBAS application, calculate final adjustments for council rates and water bills, and arrange mortgage registration with NSW Land Registry Services so your lender’s interest is legally recorded.
What You Will Actually Pay and How Long It Takes
Breaking Down Your Purchase Costs
First-home buyers consistently underestimate the total cost of purchasing property. Beyond your house deposit and purchase price, you must budget for:
- Conveyancer’s Fees: $1,050 to $1,875 (depending on complexity).
- Disbursements: $300 to $800 (for mandatory searches like title and zoning).
- Building & Pest Inspections: $400 to $1,200 combined.
- Bank/Loan Application Fees: $300 to $600.
Understanding Your Timeline
Settlement typically occurs 6 to 8 weeks after exchange of contracts. The entire purchase process from initial offer to holding keys usually takes 8 to 12 weeks. This timeline matters because the NSW FHBAS application must be lodged before settlement to secure your exemption.
Your conveyancer must coordinate with your lender to confirm all finance conditions are met and arrange mortgage registration. If your lender imposes additional conditions late in the process, settlement can be delayed—which is why engaging a conveyancer before you exchange contracts prevents bottlenecks.
Final Thoughts
Buying your first home in NSW represents the largest financial commitment most people make. First home buyers conveyancing protects that investment by managing legal risks, securing government assistance, and coordinating every step from offer to settlement via PEXA.
Without professional support, you face missed stamp duty exemptions worth thousands, hidden property defects, unfavourable contract terms, and missed deadlines.
We at Jameson Law have guided hundreds of first home buyers through this journey. We manage your contract review, coordinate all searches, lodge your stamp duty exemption applications, and handle every detail that protects your investment. Contact Jameson Law for a free initial consultation to discuss your purchase timeline and ensure your first home buying experience is safe and secure.
