Buying property is a big step wherever you live. Doing it from another country adds a layer most local buyers never think about. You can’t pop into an office with paperwork in hand, and you’re relying on people you may never meet to keep your settlement on track.
One recent SettleHQ user was in that position. They were based in New Zealand and needed a settlement agent for a property purchase in Western Australia. Below is how their journey played out, followed by some general pointers for anyone buying property in Australia from New Zealand.
Starting With the SettleHQ Compare Agents Tool
The buyer’s first stop was the SettleHQ website, where they used our Compare Agents tool.
For anyone who hasn’t tried it, the tool asks a few quick questions about your transaction and what matters most to you. It then shows the settlement firms from our WA partner network best suited to your situation, including their specialisations and their settlement fee. There’s no sign-up and no cost to compare.
That matters more when you’re buying from a distance. You don’t have to go with whoever comes up first in a search. You can see how firms differ before you contact anyone.
Getting a Quote From KB Settlements
From there, the buyer went to the KB Settlements website and completed their own quote online. KB Settlements is a Perth-based firm and one of the partners in the SettleHQ network.
The buyer was also presented with SettleHQ pricing. Showing fees upfront is a core part of how SettleHQ works, so buyers know what they’re looking at before they commit to a firm.
In the interest of transparency, SettleHQ and the firms in our network, including KB Settlements, are part of the same wholly owned group of WA settlement businesses.
Questions About Communicating From New Zealand
Because they were based in New Zealand, the buyer had questions about how communication with their conveyancer would work.
It’s a fair thing to ask, and a smart one to raise early. When you’re not in WA, you can’t rely on a quick face-to-face catch-up. Knowing how your settlement agent will keep you informed, and how you’ll get documents back to them, takes a lot of the uncertainty out of the process.
If you’re in a similar position, these are worth asking any settlement agent:
How will you keep me updated, and how often?
Who is my main point of contact?
How will documents be signed and returned while I’m in New Zealand?
How will my identity be verified?
A Smooth Handover to the Conveyancer
The move from quote to conveyancer handover was smooth. From there, the buyer’s settlement was in the hands of the KB Settlements team.
That’s how SettleHQ is designed to work. SettleHQ is the introduction, and we don’t carry out the conveyancing ourselves. Once you choose a firm, you deal directly with that firm, and they guide you through each stage of settlement.
The Buyer’s Experience
The settlement was successful. Afterwards, the buyer left a five-star Google review for KB Settlements:
“Fantastic service. Suzanne and her team made my settlement process so easy. Highly recommend!”
For a buyer who started out with questions about managing things from another country, that’s a good outcome to hear.
Buying Property in Australia From New Zealand?
Every transaction is different. The points below are general information only, not legal advice, and your settlement agent can explain how they apply to you.
Use a licensed settlement agent. Every firm in the SettleHQ network is licensed and regulated under WA’s Settlement Agents Act. If you’re buying from New Zealand, professional help is also a practical necessity. Buyers based outside Australia, including in New Zealand, face extra identity verification and document witnessing requirements under Landgate’s rules. Your settlement agent will explain exactly how that works from where you are.
Check what applies to you. Depending on your citizenship and residency status, extra rules or duties may apply to your purchase. Ask your settlement agent and get legal advice before you sign.
Get your contract reviewed first. WA has no statutory cooling-off period for property contracts. Once you sign, you’re committed. Every settlement booked through SettleHQ includes a complimentary contract review by your chosen firm.
Have your documents ready. Identity documents, finance details and your signed contract are easier to organise early, especially when you’re sending them from another country.
Ask about communication upfront. As this buyer’s story shows, it’s one of the first things worth raising.
Compare Settlement Agents in Our WA Network
You might be based in New Zealand, buying interstate or living here in Perth. Either way, choosing the right settlement agent makes a real difference. Compare settlement agents in our WA network to see specialisations and fees side by side. It’s free, there’s no sign-up, and it only takes a few minutes.
