Conveyancing

Conveyancing is the legal process by which ownership of immovable property is transferred from seller to buyer. In South Africa it must be done by a conveyancer, a specialist attorney admitted to practise conveyancing in the High Court.

The typical conveyancing flow

• Offer to Purchase signed by both parties (suspensive conditions met)
• Conveyancer instructed by the seller (usually their choice)
• FICA verification of buyer and seller
• Application for transfer documents and signing
• Bond cancellation (seller side) and bond registration (buyer side) attorneys appointed
• Rates clearance, levy clearance, and electrical compliance certificates obtained
• Lodgement at the Deeds Office (transfer + bond + cancellation simultaneously)
• Registration in the Deeds Office (typically 7-10 working days after lodgement)
• Funds released, keys handed over, commission paid

How long does it take

A clean transfer typically takes 8-12 weeks from offer signature to registration. Delays are common: bond approvals, clearance certificates, missing FICA documents, and Deeds Office backlogs all add time. Active monitoring is critical to keep the deal alive.

The agency's role

Although the conveyancer manages the legal process, the practitioner remains responsible for keeping buyer and seller engaged, chasing outstanding documents, and managing expectations. Commission is only payable on registration, so an aborted transfer means lost income.

Tracking transfers in REAPS

REAPS treats every accepted offer as a Deal moving through the conveyancing pipeline. Stages, document checklists, and transfer milestones are tracked against the deal record, with automated reminders and risk warnings when a stage stalls beyond its expected duration.