01 Sep THE CONVEYANCING ATTORNEY – THE SELLER’S CHOICE
You’ve made the decision to sell, picked the agent, and are eagerly waiting for the perfect offer. Now it’s time to choose a conveyancer to ensure successful registration of the transfer.
WHAT IS A CONVEYANCER?
Immovable property (houses, flats, vacant land etc) can only be transferred by a conveyancer – a practising attorney who specialises in the preparation of deeds and documents. In a normal registration and transfer process, the transferring conveyancer oversees more than 50 activities involving up to 12 parties. The conveyancer deals with all the parties involved and assumes responsibility for the collection and payment of all amounts due (to the bank(s), agent(s), compliance bodies, local authority, SARS, body corporate, and, ultimately, the seller). The right conveyancer is the difference between a stress-free transfer and tearing your hair out over complex administration.
WHO CHOOSES AND WHO PAYS?
Typically, the seller has the right to choose the conveyancer and the purchaser pays the transfer fees. Transfer fees are regulated by a Law Society tariff to ensure that the purchaser is not unfairly prejudiced by the seller’s choice.
HOW DO I CHOOSE (AND DOES IT MATTER)?
The seller chooses the conveyancer when signing the offer to purchase. Your estate agent is allowed to make recommendations, but your choice should not be influenced by other relationships or benefits which may not necessarily always be in your best interests. If you don’t know a conveyancer, ask friends or colleagues who have recently sold a property to suggest a conveyancer who provided exceptional service and support throughout the entire process, who continually addressed any problems that arose, professionally and competently, and who kept within timelines, all while keeping the parties fully informed of the progress of the matter.
The choice of a conveyancer is critical, particularly to avoid delays and ensure a personalised service that is in the interests of all parties. Always choose a reputable conveyancer who delivers on their promises and makes your transfer their priority.
SO, WHO ARE WE?
Gillian Erasmus Attorneys Inc is a female-owned and run conveyancing firm. We always provide personal and honest advice, and we guarantee that the transfer of your property is in safe hands. Our director, Gillian Erasmus, will be your personal contact throughout the sale and transfer of your property and will ensure that what you agree to with the purchaser becomes a reality.
For more information on how we can help you, please get in touch with us. Gillian Erasmus – gillian@erasmuslaw.co.za or 0604816891.
