Title transfer documents, loan funds, settlement statement, and a final pre-settlement inspection.
What happens at this step
The two to four weeks between unconditional and settlement are spent preparing for the actual transfer of ownership. The buyer's lawyer prepares the transfer documents in Landonline. The bank prepares the loan documents. The seller's lawyer arranges the mortgage discharge. Both sides agree the settlement statement. The buyer does a final pre-settlement inspection.
What NZ Legal does
We prepare and load the transfer in Landonline. We coordinate with your bank for loan drawdown. We agree the settlement statement with the seller's lawyer (rates, water, body corporate levies). We confirm the pre-settlement inspection time with the agent.
What you do
Sign the loan documents the bank sends through. Arrange the balance of the deposit and any extra funds you are contributing. Do the pre-settlement inspection (within 5 working days before settlement) and tell us immediately if anything is missing or damaged.
Common pitfalls
- Skipping the pre-settlement inspection. Damage discovered after settlement is harder to recover.
- Not flagging missing chattels (oven, dishwasher, heat pump) before settlement. The contract chattels list is the reference point.
- Loan funds not lodged in time because of bank documentation delays.
