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Buying or selling? Every transaction needs protection.
From the moment you sign to the day you get the keys, we handle every legal detail so you can focus on your next chapter.
Buying or Selling?
Each path has different legal considerations. Click to explore what's involved.
Buying
More steps, more due diligence. Agreement review, title investigation, property searches, finance coordination, and settlement.
Key concerns
- What's actually on the title?
- Are there hidden restrictions?
- Will finance be ready in time?
Conveyancing is more than paperwork.
It's the legal process that transfers property ownership from one person to another. Get it wrong, and problems can persist long after settlement day.
"Our team completes countless property transactions each year. This experience means we know what can go wrong and how to prevent it."
B For Buyers
Agreement review
Before you go unconditional, we review your sale and purchase agreement to ensure you understand your obligations and the conditions that protect you.
Title investigation
We examine the certificate of title to confirm exactly what you are buying, including any registered interests, easements, or covenants.
Property searches
We obtain and review council records and the Land Information Memorandum (LIM), which contains important information from local authorities.
Condition management
We track important dates and help you make informed decisions about whether to proceed, renegotiate, or withdraw while you still can.
Finance coordination
We work with your bank or lender to ensure loan documents are ready and funding is confirmed before settlement.
Settlement preparation
We prepare all transfer documents, calculate settlement figures, and confirm every detail is in order.
Settlement day
We transfer the purchase funds, register you as the new owner, and arrange for you to collect the keys.
S For Sellers
Agreement review
We review the sale and purchase agreement to confirm your interests are protected and you have authority to sell.
Title preparation
We ensure the title is ready for transfer with no surprises for the buyer that could delay settlement.
Responding to requisitions
We answer buyer enquiries efficiently and accurately, keeping the transaction moving forward.
Discharge coordination
If you have an existing mortgage, we coordinate with your lender to arrange discharge on settlement day.
Settlement day
We confirm settlement has occurred and ensure sale proceeds are transferred to you promptly.
Understanding what you are buying.
Each title type has different implications for ownership and ongoing obligations.
Freehold
Fee Simple
The most straightforward ownership. You own the land and buildings outright with no ongoing obligations to others.
Cross-Lease
Shared Land
Shared ownership of the underlying land. Changes may need neighbour consent.
Unit Title
Body Corporate
For apartments and townhouses. You own your unit plus a share in common property managed by a body corporate with rules and levies.
Leasehold
Hawke's Bay Heritage
A legacy of Napier's 1931 earthquake rebuild. You own the building but lease the land, paying ground rent. Lease terms, renewal rights, and freeholding options require careful analysis.
We work with your other advisors.
Property transactions involve many professionals. We coordinate with everyone to keep your transaction on track.
Real Estate Agents
Conditions, dates, settlement arrangements
Banks & Brokers
Finance documents, funding availability
Building Inspectors
Report implications, legal position
Valuers
Timing coordination, delay prevention
Lawyer-Backed Conveyancing
Conveyancing is more than processing documents. It involves understanding legal obligations and protecting your interests when problems arise.
Beyond Standard
Leasehold complexities, boundary disputes, title problems, and unusual situations all require legal knowledge beyond basic property transfer.
Not Just Paperwork
Understanding legal obligations, identifying risks, and protecting your interests when problems arise — that's what we do.
Ongoing Relationship
Your property purchase is just the start. When you need a will, trust, or estate plan, we already know your situation.
Timeline Expectations
Most property transactions settle within 4-8 weeks of going unconditional. Here's the typical flow.
Agreement Signed
Agreement review, title investigation begins, property searches ordered.
Due Diligence
LIM review, building inspection results, condition decisions, finance confirmed.
Unconditional
All conditions satisfied, loan documents prepared, settlement date confirmed.
Keys in Hand
Funds transferred, ownership registered, keys released. Welcome home.
New to Property Buying?
Our step-by-step guide walks you through each stage of buying your first home, from saving a deposit to settlement day.
What Our Clients Say
"Absolutely happy with our experience at Carlile Dowling. We are so fresh and new to all this legal stuff especially being our 1st home. You made everything easy to do and understand for us."
"Really professional and helpful. Kept me informed throughout the whole house sale process & made it way less stressful than I thought."
"Seamless & efficient service as always."
To ensure candour, all feedback was collected anonymously.
Related Reading
Buying at auction in New Zealand
Property auctions are unconditional and binding. Understand how auctions work, what you must do before auction day, and the risks involved before you bid.
When Family Helps with the Deposit
Bank of Mum and Dad? We explain gift vs loan structures, property sharing agreements, and protecting family contributions.
Legal Fees Explained: Understanding Conveyancing Costs
What does conveyancing cost? We explain the work involved, typical third-party disbursements, and factors that affect complexity.
Local expertise,
responsive service
Common Questions
Standard conveyancing usually takes between four and six weeks from agreement to settlement, though this can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the transaction, the conditions in the agreement, and the settlement date agreed between the parties.
We keep you informed of progress throughout.
We conduct title searches, council records checks, and review the Land Information Memorandum (LIM). Depending on your property, we may also check for contaminated land records, historic heritage listings, and natural hazard information.
A Land Information Memorandum is a report from the local council containing information they hold about a property. This includes building consents, resource consents, rates, and any notices affecting the land. It helps you understand what the council knows about the property before you commit.
You can, but we recommend contacting us first. Once you sign, you are legally bound by the agreement's terms. Having us review it beforehand ensures you understand your obligations and have appropriate conditions protecting you.
If issues arise before you go unconditional, you usually have options: renegotiate the price, request the seller fix problems, or withdraw from the agreement if your conditions allow. We help you understand your position and make informed decisions.
We will contact you to confirm settlement is complete and let you know when you can collect the keys from the agent. For sales, we confirm when funds have been received.
A conditional agreement has conditions that must be satisfied before you are committed, such as finance approval or a satisfactory building inspection. Once you go unconditional, you are legally bound to complete the purchase. This is the point of no return.
No. The deposit is usually held by the real estate agent's trust account until settlement, unless the agreement provides otherwise.
If settlement cannot occur on the agreed date, there are usually penalty interest provisions. We work to prevent delays and, if they occur, help you understand your options and obligations.
Ready to discuss your needs? We're here to help.