A couple in Neutral Bay were three days away from signing a contract for their dream home when they noticed a clause their conveyancing lawyer flagged – one that would’ve left them responsible for unapproved building works done by the previous owner. A quick contract review saved them from a costly mistake. That’s the real value of having the right conveyancer in Sydney on your side. At GKE Lawyers in Northbridge, we handle every stage of your conveyancing Sydney transaction from start to finish so you can buy or sell with genuine confidence, not just hope. Don’t sign anything until you’ve spoken to us.
Conveyancing is simply the legal process of transferring property ownership from one person to another. But in New South Wales, that process comes with a specific set of rules, obligations, and deadlines that don’t apply in other states — and getting any of them wrong can be costly.
In NSW, property conveyancing is governed by the Real Property Act 1900 and operates through the Torrens Title Register, which records all legal ownership of land across the state. Every transfer must be lodged with NSW Land Registry Services, and today most settlements are completed electronically through PEXA Australia’s e-conveyancing platform.
The difference between a licensed conveyancer and a property lawyer is worth knowing too. A licensed conveyancer is qualified to handle standard residential transactions. A conveyancing lawyer can also advise on broader legal issues if complications arise, which is why choosing a firm like GKE, where both conveyancing and property law expertise sit under one roof, gives you real peace of mind.
Skip proper legal advice and you might miss a defect on the title, an undisclosed easement, or a clause in the contract of sale that works entirely in the other party’s favour. The cost of getting conveyancing right is small. The cost of getting it wrong is often enormous.
At GKE Lawyers, our conveyancing team handles the full range of property transactions across Sydney and the North Shore from simple residential sales to complex commercial property deals. Whether you’re a first-home buyer stepping into the Sydney property market for the first time, an investor expanding your portfolio, or a developer working across multiple sites; our experienced conveyancing lawyers Sydney clients rely on are with you every step of the way.
We operate on a fixed-fees basis, which means you know what your conveyancing costs will be before we start, with no hidden charges and no surprises at settlement. Our office is based in Northbridge, and we serve buyers and sellers across North Sydney, Mosman, Cremorne, Lane Cove, and beyond.
Our conveyancing services cover every property type and every stage of the transaction. From the moment you ask us to review the contract through to the day keys are handed over, GKE handles it all: searches, liaising with lenders, coordinating settlement, and lodging everything correctly with NSW Land Registry Services.
A buyer in Neutral Bay was excited understandably about a property she’d found in Kirribilli. The price was right, the location was perfect, and the agent was pushing for a quick exchange. She nearly signed the contract of sale immediately, without a thorough review. Fortunately, she called us first.
When buying property in Sydney, Australia, the contract is everything. It sets out what you’re actually purchasing, what conditions apply, and what happens if something goes wrong before settlement. Our conveyancers and property lawyers review every contract in detail before you sign, checking for special conditions, unusual deposit terms, unapproved structures, and anything else that could create problems down the track.
For buyers, the cooling-off period in NSW is five business days from exchange, giving you the right to pull out of the contract, though you’ll forfeit 0.25% of the purchase price if you do. At exchange, that same 0.25% holding deposit is typically paid, with the full 10% deposit due at formal exchange.
We handle all title searches and due diligence, advise on stamp duty obligations, liaise with your mortgage broker and lender, and coordinate settlement from start to finish. We take extra time to guide first home buyers in North Sydney, Wollstonecraft, and Artarmon through every stage, ensuring they never feel uncertain.
A homeowner in Mosman was eager to list her property and had already agreed on an agent. What she didn’t realise and almost found out the hard way is that in NSW, you cannot legally advertise a property for sale without a complete sale contract already prepared. No contract, no listing. It’s one of those NSW property rules that catches sellers off guard more often than you’d think.
Selling property begins with getting the contract right, and that’s where our conveyancers come in. We prepare the full contract for sale, including all mandatory disclosure documents, title searches, zoning certificates, drainage diagrams, and any easements or covenants that must be disclosed to potential buyers. Getting these wrong or leaving them out can expose a vendor to legal liability.
Once the property is under offer, we liaise with the buyer’s conveyancer or solicitor, manage any negotiations on contract terms, and coordinate the discharge of any existing mortgage with your lender. We guide Cremorne, Cammeray, and Neutral Bay sellers through every stage of the process with clear updates and no unnecessary delays.
Settlement in NSW typically occurs 42 days after exchange, though this can be negotiated. Our experienced conveyancers make the property sale process as seamless as possible from contract preparation through to final settlement.
A buyer in North Sydney signed a contract for an off-the-plan apartment. The contract included a sunset clause, a standard clause that allows either party to rescind the contract if the development isn’t completed by a certain date. What he didn’t realise was how that clause could be triggered, or that the developer could use delays sometimes deliberately to rescind contracts and resell at a higher price.
Off-plan conveyancing in Sydney is a specialist area, and it demands careful legal advice before you commit. Buying off-plan means purchasing a property that hasn’t been built yet, usually at today’s price, with settlement occurring when construction is complete. That timeline introduces a range of potential risks that don’t exist in a standard purchase.
Sunset clauses need to be reviewed carefully. Developer changes to finishes, floor plans, or common areas may be permitted under the contract unless restricted by specific protective clauses. Strata schemes, planning permissions, and body corporate arrangements all need to be understood before exchange.
GKE’s conveyancing lawyers’ Sydney team reviews off-plan contracts thoroughly, identifies the risks that matter, and advises you on how to protect your position. For buyers in North Sydney and surrounding developments, getting proper legal advice on an off-the-plan purchase isn’t optional; it’s essential.
A business owner in North Sydney found a commercial property that suited his plans perfectly. He was ready to sign until we pointed out that the zoning classification on the title didn’t permit his intended use. A straightforward-looking commercial property purchase had a fundamental problem sitting right in the due diligence that hadn’t been done.
Commercial property conveyancer work in Sydney is significantly more complex than residential transactions. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell commercial property in Sydney, the legal requirements are broader, the risks are higher, and the documentation is more involved.
For buyers, commercial conveyancing includes thorough title searches, zoning compliance checks, environmental reports, and a review of any existing leases or encumbrances affecting the property. Before exchanging contracts, you must identify land use restrictions, GST implications, and any outstanding council notices. For sellers, we prepare all necessary documentation, advise on disclosure obligations, and manage the transaction through to settlement.
Our conveyancing lawyers’ Sydney team regularly assists buyers and sellers across the Sydney CBD, the North Sydney commercial precinct, and surrounding areas. Whether you’re a property developer acquiring a development site or a business owner purchasing your first commercial premises, we provide practical, expert guidance every step of the way.
A first-home buyer in Wollstonecraft came to us after doing some research online. She’d seen mentions of the First Home Owner Grant but wasn’t sure if she was eligible, and she had no idea that her new build might also qualify for a stamp duty exemption. She was about to miss out on thousands of dollars in government assistance simply because nobody had told her.
First home buyer conveyancing Sydney clients are at the heart of what we do. Buying your first property is exciting, but it’s also genuinely stressful, and the number of things to understand at once can be overwhelming. Our job is to make it easier.
The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) in NSW provides a one-off payment to eligible first home buyers purchasing or building a new home. To qualify, you must be at least 18 years old, an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and you must have never previously owned a property in Australia. The grant applies to new homes valued at up to $600,000, or land and a new dwelling valued up to $750,000.
On top of the FHOG, first home buyers may also be eligible for stamp duty concessions on properties under certain price thresholds. Our conveyancers calculate your exact stamp duty obligations and identify every concession you’re entitled to.
We guide Naremburn, Artarmon, and North Sydney first home buyers through their entire property journey with plain English explanations at every turn.
A buyer in Cremorne fell in love with a second-floor unit in a well-maintained-looking block. She exchanged contracts without a strata report review. Six weeks later, she discovered there was a $50,000 special levy payable to fix structural issues with the building’s car park, a cost she was now responsible for as the new owner.
Strata conveyancing in Sydney is a distinct area of property law that requires a thorough understanding of what you’re actually buying into. When you purchase a strata-title property, whether it’s an apartment, townhouse, or unit, you’re not just buying the lot itself. You’re also acquiring a share of the common property and an obligation to contribute to the ongoing costs of running the strata scheme.
Our conveyancers review the strata report in detail, checking the financial health of the owners corporation, any outstanding or upcoming special levies, the state of the sinking fund, and whether there are any unresolved building defects or disputes. We review by-laws and flag anything that might affect how you can use or alter your property.
On the North Shore, where many of Sydney’s most sought-after apartments are located, strata conveyancing is not something to rush. We ensure every North Shore buyer knows exactly what they’re committing to before they sign.
STOP. Do not sign anything until a lawyer has read it.
That sounds blunt, but in the context of a property purchase, it’s genuinely the most important advice you’ll receive. A contract of sale in NSW is a legally binding document. Once you’re past the cooling-off period, you’re committed. And the clauses in that contract, especially the special conditions added by the vendor’s solicitor, can have serious financial consequences if you haven’t had them reviewed.
Our contract review property Sydney service covers every clause, every condition, and every potential red flag. We check for unapproved structures that the vendor may be trying to pass on to the buyer, unusual deposit terms, clauses that remove standard buyer protections, and conditions that limit your rights if the property has issues. We review title searches for encumbrances, check for any outstanding council orders, and confirm the property is what the contract says it is.
One area that catches buyers off guard is the auction contract. At auction in NSW, there is no cooling-off period. What you sign on the day is binding immediately. That’s why getting a contract review done before auction day, not after, is critical.
At GKE, our lawyers will review every contract before you make a commitment. It’s one of the most valuable things we do and one of the most requested parts of our conveyancing services.
The conveyancing process doesn’t need to be confusing, and with GKE Lawyers, it genuinely isn’t.
It starts with an initial consultation and a fixed-fee conveyancing quote so you know exactly what everything will cost before we begin. There are no hidden charges, no surprise invoices, just a clear, fixed professional fees arrangement from day one.
From there, we move into contract review and legal advice. Whether we’re reviewing the incoming contract of sale on a purchase or preparing one for a sale, our conveyancing lawyers Sydney clients trust go through every detail carefully. We explain what we find in plain English and advise on your best next steps.
Stage three covers all the necessary searches, checks, and compliance work. This includes title searches, zoning certificates, strata reports where applicable, and stamp duty calculations. For buyers, it also means liaising with your lender or mortgage broker to ensure finance is in order and the settlement timeline is on track.
Stage four is exchange and settlement coordination. Once contracts are exchanged, we manage the countdown to settlement, addressing any requisitions, confirming settlement figures, and coordinating the electronic transfer through PEXA. In NSW, the standard settlement period is 42 days from exchange, though this can vary depending on the property and the agreement between parties. For conveyancing Sydney city transactions, timelines can sometimes be tighter.
Finally, after settlement, we attend to all post-completion matters: NSW Land Registry registration, council and water authority notifications, and confirming that the transfer of property ownership has been completed correctly. You’ll receive confirmation that everything is done, and you can focus on what comes next.
People have no shortage of options when it comes to finding Sydney conveyancers. So why do so many buyers and sellers across the North Shore consistently choose GKE?
Firstly, our fixed fees mean there are no surprises. You’ll receive a clear fixed fee structure at the start, and that’s what you’ll pay. No vague estimates, no escalating bills.
Secondly, our local knowledge of the Sydney property market — particularly the North Shore — sets us apart from a generic online conveyancing company. We know the local councils, the common strata issues in the area, and the quirks of NSW property law that affect conveyancing matters here specifically.
Thirdly, we communicate. Our conveyancing lawyer Sydney clients regularly tell us that staying informed throughout the process gave them real peace of mind. We ensure you stay informed about your matter.
And finally, because we’re not just a conveyancing firm—we’re a full-service law firm—you have access to broader legal expertise if your property transaction hits a complication that requires more than standard conveyancing advice. That combination of affordable conveyancing expertise and comprehensive legal backing makes GKE the right conveyancer for buyers and sellers alike.
Stamp duty, formally known as ‘transfer duty’ in NSW, is a state government tax payable on most property purchases. It’s one of the larger upfront costs of buying property, and understanding how it works before you reach settlement is important.
In New South Wales, stamp duty is payable by the buyer. It falls due either at settlement or within three months of exchange, whichever comes first. The amount payable depends on the purchase price and the type of property involved, whether it’s a new home, an established property, or vacant land.
Revenue NSW provides an online duty calculator that gives you an estimate based on your specific transaction. Our conveyancing team calculates your exact stamp duty obligations as part of our service, so you’re never caught short at settlement.
For first-time home buyers, NSW offers stamp duty exemptions and concessions on eligible properties, potentially saving you tens of thousands of dollars. These concessions are subject to eligibility criteria, including purchase price thresholds, property type, and residency requirements. Every transaction also incurs a $20 stamping fee that applies regardless of concessions.
GKE Lawyers ensures every client understands their stamp duty obligations clearly before they exchange because a last-minute shortfall at settlement is not a situation anyone wants to be in.
Our clients come from all different situations, and our experienced conveyancers are equally comfortable handling straightforward transactions and complex property matters.
First home buyers in Wollstonecraft, Naremburn, and Artarmon make up a significant part of our conveyancing work. Buying your first property in Sydney is one of the biggest financial decisions of your life, and our team makes sure you have everything explained clearly: the process, the costs, the timeline, and your rights throughout.
Property investors in North Sydney, Mosman, and Lane Cove rely on us to manage investment property acquisitions efficiently and accurately. Whether you’re adding to an existing portfolio or making your first investment purchase, we manage the due diligence and transfer process without fuss.
For sellers in Cremorne, Cammeray, and Neutral Bay, selling my property often comes with its own pressures: coordinating settlement with a pending purchase, managing a mortgage discharge, or dealing with an unexpected delay. Our conveyancing team keeps everything moving.
Commercial buyers and sellers operating in the North Sydney CBD and Sydney city precinct engage us for commercial property transactions that require both conveyancing expertise and commercial legal knowledge. Property developers working across Sydney also turn to GKE for complex, multi-stage conveyancing across a range of sites.
We provide the same attentive, step-by-step guidance for interstate or overseas buyers who are unfamiliar with NSW property law and the wider NSW conveyancing rules, regardless of their location.
Expert conveyancing isn’t just about processing paperwork. It’s about understanding the market, the rules, and the specific characteristics of the area where your property sits, and that local knowledge genuinely makes a difference.
GKE Lawyers has been handling property sales and purchases across Sydney’s North Shore for years. We understand the North Sydney Council, Mosman Council, and Lane Cove Council processes; how they issue certificates; what common issues come up in their areas; and how local planning rules affect property transactions. That kind of insight doesn’t come from a manual. It comes from experience.
We’re familiar with many of the strata buildings and developments across the North Shore, which gives us context that a large interstate firm simply won’t have. We understand the NSW-specific conveyancing rules, which differ from Victoria’s, Queensland’s, and other states’, and we know how to navigate them efficiently for buyers and sellers who may have had experience elsewhere.
Our Sydney conveyancing services reach across:
Our clients come from all walks of life and from suburbs all across the North Shore and beyond. From Mosman families navigating property purchases to North Sydney business owners resolving commercial disputes, from Neutral Bay residents sorting out their estate plans to Cremorne couples going through separation, our work spans a wide range of legal situations. What stays consistent is the feedback: people appreciate the honesty, the clarity, and the genuine care our team brings to every matter. Here’s what a few of our Sydney clients have shared.
At GKE Lawyers, the recognition we’re most proud of is the trust our clients place in us, but we’re also honoured to be acknowledged by the broader Australian legal community for our professionalism and results-driven approach.
1996
Membership
These acknowledgements reflect the standards our entire team holds itself to, every day, across every matter we take on.
Not everyone can make it out to Northbridge, and we get that. Whether you’re in Kirribilli, Waverton, Hebersham, or anywhere else across Sydney, GKE Lawyers offers online consultations so you can get the legal help you need from wherever you are. It’s the same attentive, no-obligation conversation, just done your way. Book your online consultation through our website, and one of our team members will be in touch promptly to arrange a time that suits you.
We don’t measure success in legal jargon or billable hours; we measure it in real results for real people. Here are a few examples of what that looks like.
Property Purchase in North Sydney
A first home buyer in North Sydney was pressured to sign a contract quickly. Our conveyancing team reviewed the contract thoroughly, identified a clause that would have left the buyer liable for significant building defects, and negotiated its removal before exchange. The client settled with confidence and without any unexpected costs.
Family Law Matter in Mosman
A parent in Mosman approached us during a difficult separation, concerned about custody arrangements for two young children. Our family law team helped negotiate a parenting plan that prioritised the children's stability, avoided drawn-out court proceedings, and gave both parents a clear, workable framework going forward.
Business Dispute in Sydney CBD
A business owner in Sydney CBD was locked in a contract dispute with a former supplier. After initial negotiations failed, our litigation team stepped in, gathered the relevant evidence, and represented the client in court proceedings. The court resolved the matter in the client's favour, awarding compensation for the losses incurred.
Legal costs vary depending on the type of matter and how complex it is. At GKE Lawyers, we’re upfront about fees from the start – no hidden charges or surprise invoices. We offer fixed fees where possible and always explain costs before you commit.
For most standard residential purchases and sales, a conveyancer handles the transaction efficiently. If your matter involves more complex legal issues, disputes, development, or commercial property, a property lawyer may be more appropriate. Our team can advise you on what suits your situation.
Don’t accept the insurer’s decision without getting legal advice. There are often grounds to challenge a rejection, and in many cases, clients recover what they’re owed after seeking proper representation. Contact our team to discuss your options.
In New South Wales, you can apply for divorce after 12 months of separation. Once you file an application, the court process usually takes a few months. Resolving financial and parenting matters separately can take longer depending on the circumstances.
Yes, more than most people think. Without a valid will, your estate is distributed according to a legal formula that may not reflect your wishes at all. A simple will drafted now can save your loved ones significant stress and uncertainty later.
Absolutely. Buying a business without proper legal guidance is one of the most common and costly mistakes new business owners make. A business lawyer reviews contracts, conducts due diligence, identifies potential risks, and ensures your protection before you sign anything.
Whatever legal matter is on your mind—big or small— GKE Lawyers is here to help. We’re one of Sydney’s most trusted law firms, and we work with families, individuals, and businesses right across North Sydney and the surrounding suburbs every day. Reach out to us however it suits you best.
Whether you call, visit, or send us a message online, you’ll hear back from a real member of our team. No automated responses, no long waits. Just straightforward help from people who know the law and care about the outcome.
