Wollongong Conveyancing and Property Lawyers

Wollongong is a narrow city between an escarpment and the sea, and both edges affect what you can do with a block.

Optimum Lawyers is a Parramatta property law firm. We act for Illawarra buyers and sellers by phone, email and video, and NSW property settles electronically.

Checks that are specific to Wollongong and the Illawarra

• Slope instability. Council’s development controls call for a geotechnical assessment where land may be affected by slope instability. It is most relevant under the escarpment, in suburbs such as Thirroul, Austinmer and Coledale.
• Flood. Short, steep creeks run from the escarpment to the coast, and the city flooded badly in 1998. The planning certificate attached to the contract says whether flood controls apply.
• Bushfire. Land along the escarpment is often bushfire prone, which affects what you can build and how.
• West Dapto. In the release area, land is commonly sold off the plan in stages. Check the sunset date and what the developer can change.
• Apartments. In central and North Wollongong, the strata records show levies, defects and disputes.

NSW contract basics

• The contract comes first. A NSW property cannot be offered for sale until the contract has been prepared, so it can be reviewed before you make an offer.
• Cooling-off. 5 business days on a private sale, with 0.25% of the price forfeited if you withdraw, and 10 business days for off-the-plan purchases.
• Auctions. No cooling-off period applies.

Moving south from Sydney

If you are selling in Sydney and buying in the Illawarra, both contracts are NSW contracts and one firm can run both, with the settlements timed so the sale funds the purchase.

Illawarra residents buying in another state

We also act on purchases and sales in Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia and the ACT for clients who live in NSW.

Three councils, three sets of rules

The Illawarra is three council areas: Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama. The newer estates at Shell Cove and Calderwood are in Shellharbour, and each council has its own planning controls and its own records for a property.

Transfers without a sale

We also act on transfers between partners, after a separation, from a deceased estate, and into or out of a trust or self-managed super fund. NSW duty can apply, and some transfers qualify for an exemption with conditions, so get advice first.

Lawyer or conveyancer?

A conveyancer can handle a simple purchase well. A property lawyer can also advise on what a slope, flood or bushfire control means for your plans, negotiate the contract, and act for you if the sale is disputed.

What clients say about our NSW work

“Wisam has been an invaluable partner throughout both my property buying and selling journeys.”

Katrina Ong, Google review

Questions about conveyancing in Wollongong

How do I find out if a block is affected by slope instability or flooding?

Start with the planning certificate attached to the contract, then council’s records for the address. For a steep block, a geotechnical report answers the question properly.

What is the cooling-off period for an off-the-plan purchase?

Ten business days in NSW.

Do you have a Wollongong office?

No. We are in Parramatta and act for Illawarra clients remotely. Settlement in NSW is electronic.

Can you act on my sale and my purchase together?

Yes. Running both lets us line up the two settlements.

Related: Property lawyers Parramatta | Interstate conveyancing | Sydney | Contract review | Property lawyers Australia