When to engage your conveyancer in Adelaide
Early, so your Form 1 is complete and accurate. Because the cooling-off clock only starts once a proper Form 1 is served, getting the certificates right up front protects your settlement date.
Who can act for you in South Australia
In South Australia you can use a registered conveyancer or a solicitor. Registered conveyancers are regulated by Consumer and Business Services and handle most residential sales.
Vendor disclosure in South Australia
South Australia's key document is the Form 1 vendor's statement, served on the buyer. It discloses title, statutory and other particulars, and its service starts the buyer's cooling-off period. A defective Form 1 can extend cooling-off rights, so accuracy matters.
Cooling-off in South Australia
Buyers get two clear business days to cool off, running from the later of entering the contract or receiving a complete Form 1. There is no cooling-off at auction. A defective Form 1 can leave the cooling-off period open.
Our view
In SA the Form 1 does double duty: it discloses and it starts cooling-off. We think that makes an accurate Form 1 the most important document in the sale, because a defective one can leave a buyer's exit open longer than you would like.
Selling and buying at the same time?
Stamp duty is a buyer cost, so you won't pay it on the property you're selling. But if you're buying your next Adelaide home, transfer duty is usually the largest government cost of the purchase, and it belongs in your budget from the start.
Two common Adelaide scenarios
Selling to upsize
You're selling your Adelaide home and buying a larger one. Brief your conveyancer early so your paperwork is ready, line up both settlements for the same day where you can, and estimate the stamp duty on the new place so your borrowing adds up.
Selling an investment
Selling a South Australia investment property means tidy title and rates information and, where it applies, sorting tenancy and body corporate details. Getting your conveyancer on early keeps a tenanted sale on track to settlement.
Nothing to pay until settlement
Your conveyancing and other selling costs can be funded and repaid from your sale proceeds at settlement, so getting started early does not mean paying early. How pay at settlement works.
Useful South Australia resources
Frequently asked questions
When should I engage a conveyancer to sell in Adelaide?
Early, so your Form 1 vendor's statement is complete and accurate before it is served on the buyer.
What is a Form 1 and why does it matter?
It is South Australia's vendor's statement, served on the buyer. It discloses key particulars and starts the cooling-off period; errors can extend a buyer's rights.
Who can do my conveyancing in SA?
A registered conveyancer or a solicitor. Both can act for a seller in South Australia.
Is there a cooling-off period when selling in SA?
Buyers get two clear business days, from the later of the contract or a complete Form 1. Auction sales have no cooling-off.
Do I pay stamp duty when I sell in SA?
No. Stamp duty is paid by the buyer. If you are buying next, our SA stamp duty calculator applies the first home buyer relief for new homes, off-the-plan and land.
