Stepping into a property deal can feel like decoding a puzzle. Whether you’re buying your first home, upgrading, downsizing, investing, or selling, the contract of sale holds more than just signatures—it carries expectations, obligations, and potential pitfalls. Even a standard agreement might contain clauses that could create complications without careful review. This blog explores common traps hidden in property sale contracts and how a licensed conveyancer at GMS Legal examines these documents to help clarify their meaning and implications before you sign.
Some contracts include terms that appear straightforward on the surface but may tilt the balance in favour towards one party. These can introduce one-sided responsibilities that might not be immediately obvious.
The conveyancing team pays close attention to:
This kind of review supports decision-making by helping parties recognise where obligations might not be balanced and where clarification could be needed before proceeding.
What happens when the language in a contract lacks a clear definition? Terms like “reasonable” or “best efforts” may seem harmless, but can lead to different interpretations during or after the transaction.
The conveyancing team may assess how such phrases operate in context, including:
Clear interpretation of ambiguous terms can reduce misunderstandings and support smoother discussions between parties or their representatives.
Imagine you’ve already exchanged contracts, only to discover additional responsibilities tied to the property that weren’t fully explained at the outset. These might relate to works required, additional fees, or third-party conditions.
Licensed conveyancers can examine sale agreements for:
This process helps identify areas that may need closer discussion before a contract is accepted as final.
Deadlines matter. Contracts often contain critical dates tied to finance, inspections, settlement, and document delivery. Missing these can result in penalties or contract termination.
The conveyancing team highlights:
Paying attention to timing requirements helps support compliance and contributes to a more predictable settlement experience.
Standard contracts often include extra conditions designed for specific situations—such as when a property is tenanted, lived in by the seller, or has limited access. These additions are usually written as special conditions and may differ from the usual contract wording.
Special clauses might include:
Conveyancing staff review these elements to support awareness of how such provisions could affect both parties’ expectations and timing.
Does the contract refer to additional documents, annexures or schedules that contain important terms? It’s not uncommon for crucial details to sit outside the main agreement, and these references can sometimes carry legal or financial implications that are easy to miss.
A licensed conveyancer takes care to examine:
Identifying and reviewing these attachments can help avoid misunderstandings and bring attention to parts of the contract that may need closer scrutiny before proceeding.
Heading into settlement, it’s important that the information in the sale contract accurately reflects what’s recorded on the property title. Even small discrepancies—such as a misspelled name or incorrect lot number—can lead to delays or require last-minute amendments. In more complex cases, issues with unresolved ownership or title restrictions may need further review before proceeding.
The conveyancing team focuses on:
Reviewing these elements supports a smoother process from contract review to transfer.
Property contracts often include legal terms that can be confusing or unfamiliar. These phrases might appear minor, but they can carry important implications—particularly when it comes to settlement dates, maintenance responsibilities or contract conditions. A clear understanding of these terms can make the process feel less overwhelming and support more confident decision-making.
The conveyancing team may help explain:
Translating these expressions into plain language helps clients feel more informed and confident in understanding the contract they are about to sign.
Sales contracts can contain more than meets the eye. At GMS Legal & Conveyancing, our licensed conveyancers carefully review every part of your standard agreement. Whether you’re buying, selling, or assisting others through the property process, we can walk through the fine print with you and identify key areas that may need clarification before proceeding.
If you’re buying a property, get in touch with us via our contact page or give us a call to discuss your conveyancing needs on the Central Coast. We’re here to help you understand the documents before you make your next move.
We’ll be open 9am – 1pm on 23rd December.
Closed from 24th December to 6th January.
Normal trading resumes 7th January.
Please note we’ll also be closed on Australia Day.
