Plain-English documents explained guides for Australian property buyers, from Unstated.
A caveat is a notice on the title that someone claims an interest in the land. Here's what caveats mean on a Victorian title search, who lodges them, and what happens before settlement.
A restrictive covenant is a rule written into the title that limits how land can be used, from single-dwelling limits to building materials. Here's how covenants work and where to find them.
An easement gives someone else a legal right to use part of the land you're buying. Here's how easements work in Victoria, the common types, and where to find them in your Section 32.
How a plain-English Section 32 summary and a conveyancer's review differ, why they are not the same job, and how Victorian buyers use both together.
The four ways to get a Section 32 (Vendor's Statement) reviewed before you sign in Victoria, from reading it yourself to a conveyancer review, with the pros and cons of each.
A Section 32 has to include specific disclosures under Victorian law. Here's what belongs in one, how gaps happen, and what the Sale of Land Act says about statements that fall short.
The complete plain-English guide to the Section 32 Vendor's Statement in Victoria. What's legally required, every section explained, what makes one defective, and how it differs from the contract of sale.
A practical checklist of everything to review in a Section 32 (Vendor's Statement) before you sign a contract in Victoria.
A guide to the key sections of a Victorian contract of sale, what each part means, and what to look for before you sign.
The title search is one of the most important documents in a Section 32, and one of the hardest to read. Here's a plain-English guide to easements, covenants, caveats, and what they mean for you.
Under Victorian law, a vendor can request access to your deposit before settlement using a Section 27 statement. Here's what that means and what to check before agreeing.
In Victoria, significant building work requires both a building permit before it starts and an occupancy permit once it's complete. Here's what each one means and why buyers should check for both.
Section 32 is a Victorian term. Every state has its own version of vendor disclosure with different rules and different documents. Here's a plain-English guide to what to expect in each state.
A building inspection is the best $500 you'll spend in the buying process. Here's what the inspector actually looks at, what's beyond their scope, and how to read the report.
If you're buying an apartment, unit, or townhouse, you're not just buying the property. You're buying into a community with shared responsibilities. Here's what an owners corporation is and what to check before you commit.
Every property in Victoria sits in a planning zone and may have one or more overlays. These rules govern what you can build and what you can change. Here's how to read them.
Pest inspections check for termites and other timber pests that can cause expensive structural damage. Here's what the inspector looks for, what limitations apply, and how to read the report.
These two documents come together but do different jobs. One tells you what you're buying. The other sets the terms of the deal. Here's how they fit together.