What your Forrestfield settlement agent does

Forrestfield sits roughly 20 km east of our Myaree office, in Perth’s eastern suburbs. Once the contract is signed there is a fair bit to organise before the property changes hands, and that is what we do.

WA does things slightly differently to the eastern states. Conveyancing here is done by licensed settlement agents or by lawyers, and settlement agents work under the Settlement Agents Act 1981 and a code of conduct. We are licensed, and we will tell you when a question is really one for a lawyer.

Forrestfield is close enough that a home visit to sign the paperwork is easy to arrange, including on weekends.

Local Forrestfield property, local paperwork

Forrestfield is a settled, established suburb: older brick-and-tile homes, plenty of blocks split into duplex or triplex sites, and villa and townhouse complexes. Lots of those are strata or survey-strata, which changes what needs doing.

  • Villa and townhouse complexes are usually strata, so the strata information needs to come in early
  • Subdivided rear lots often share a driveway, which shows up on the title
  • Long-held homes sometimes need a survivorship application before they can be sold
  • Seller identity checks sorted well before settlement
  • Strata information requested as soon as the contract is signed

Selling or buying nearby instead? See settlement agent for Wattle Grove, Maida Vale, High Wycombe, Lesmurdie and Gooseberry Hill.

strata property buying

Forrestfield settlement, step by step

One thing that confuses a lot of Forrestfield buyers and sellers is adjustments. Council rates, water and strata levies are often paid ahead for a period. At settlement they are split so the seller pays up to the settlement date and the buyer pays from then on.

Those figures all come together in the settlement statement, which you see before the day. If something looks off, ask us. We would rather explain it twice than have you sign something you do not follow.

The Forrestfield settlements we take on

Common Forrestfield conveyancing jobs that come across our desk:

  • Transfers under court orders following a separation
  • Title searches
  • Lodgement of documents with Landgate
  • Green title and strata title subdivision settlements
  • Transfer duty arranged through State Revenue Online as part of the settlement
  • Settlements for houses, duplexes, townhouses and villa strata, for buyers and sellers
  • Vacant land settlements

There is more on our Forrestfield conveyancing page, plus general information for purchasers and for sellers.

Perth Real Estate

Settlement agent FAQs for Forrestfield

Can you give me legal advice about my contract?

We are settlement agents, not lawyers. If your Forrestfield contract raises something that needs legal advice, we will tell you and recommend you speak to a lawyer.

Who chooses the settlement agent?

You do. Buyers and sellers are each entitled to appoint a settlement agent or lawyer of their choice, and to change at any time. You do not have to use the one suggested by the real estate agent.

Can one settlement agent act for both the buyer and seller?

Only if both parties are given a written disclosure and consent. Many Forrestfield buyers and sellers prefer to have their own settlement agent.

Will my settlement agent come out to Forrestfield?

In most cases, yes. Forrestfield is a short trip from our Myaree office, so a home appointment to sign the paperwork can usually be arranged, including on weekends.