The NSW Shared Equity Scheme for homebuyers explainedby Melina Maiolo21 October 202231 July 2025KEY TAKE-OUTS: The NSW Government is trialling a scheme to make home ownership more achievable for single parents, older singles (50+) and key worker first… Read More »The NSW Shared Equity Scheme for homebuyers explained
The A-Z of Conveyancing Terminologyby Melina Maiolo26 August 202230 July 2025KEY TAKE-OUTS Glossary of commonly used conveyancing terminology that you’ve seen or heard people use Cutting through legal jargon to explain commonly used conveyancing terms… Read More »The A-Z of Conveyancing Terminology
Current Incentives for NSW First Home Buyersby Melina Maiolo3 August 202228 July 2025If you’re a first home buyer, you’ll need as much help as possible. In this edition of Coutts LawCast, Senior Licensed Conveyancer Melina Maiolo discusses… Read More »Current Incentives for NSW First Home Buyers
Is transfer duty payable on a put and call option?by Melina Maiolo21 July 202229 July 2025KEY TAKE-OUTS What is a Put & Call Option Deed? Transfer duty (formerly called stamp duty) is now payable on the granting of an option… Read More »Is transfer duty payable on a put and call option?
Changes to Eligibility for First Home Buyers Grant and Residency Requirements for Australian Defence Force Members Purchasing Off the Planby Melina Maiolo8 July 202228 July 2025KEY TAKE-OUTS The State Revenue and Fines Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous) Act 2022 makes changes to the Duties Act 1997 and the First Home Owner Grant… Read More »Changes to Eligibility for First Home Buyers Grant and Residency Requirements for Australian Defence Force Members Purchasing Off the Plan
Tough Trailblazer Melina Maiolo Promoted to Senior Licensed Conveyancerby Melina Maiolo30 June 202231 July 2025Melina Maiolo still recalls the joy of helping a first home buyer save “over $12,000” when she was a Junior Licensed Conveyancer at Coutts. Fast… Read More »Tough Trailblazer Melina Maiolo Promoted to Senior Licensed Conveyancer
How the RBA Interest Rate Hike is Changing the Property Marketby Melina Maiolo8 June 202230 July 2025KEY TAKE-OUTS The RBA has increased the official cash rate and the banks have passed this on to their borrowers The rate rise has already… Read More »How the RBA Interest Rate Hike is Changing the Property Market
Going, Going, Gone. Applications for the NSW Bushfire Duty Relief Scheme have Now Closedby Melina Maiolo20 April 202228 July 2025KEY TAKE-OUTS Applications for the NSW Bushfire Duty Relief Scheme have now closed The Scheme offered an exemption, reduction or refund from/of duty for property… Read More »Going, Going, Gone. Applications for the NSW Bushfire Duty Relief Scheme have Now Closed
Legal Tips when Speaking to an Agent to Sellby Melina Maiolo21 March 202229 July 2025KEY TAKE-OUTS What are some of the most common legal requirements of an Agent as set out in the Property Stock and Business Agents Act… Read More »Legal Tips when Speaking to an Agent to Sell
Land Registry Services Offer Support to NSW Property Owners Affected by the Recent Floodsby Melina Maiolo7 March 202229 July 2025KEY TAKE OUTS Title searches and plan images will be available for free to NSW property owners affected by flooding Title searches and plan images… Read More »Land Registry Services Offer Support to NSW Property Owners Affected by the Recent Floods
When do I have to pay stamp duty?by Melina Maiolo21 February 202231 July 2025KEY TAKE-OUTS What is the difference between stamp duty and transfer duty? How much stamp duty do I need to pay? When do I need… Read More »When do I have to pay stamp duty?
eConveyancing: No Longer a Concept of the Future but Rather a Reality of the Presentby Melina Maiolo15 December 202128 July 2025KEY TAKE-OUTS: Conveyancing in NSW transitions to 100% digital Benefits of eConveyancing For several years now Conveyancing in NSW has been transitioning to ‘100% digital’;… Read More »eConveyancing: No Longer a Concept of the Future but Rather a Reality of the Present
2022 Land Tax Thresholdsby Melina Maiolo1 December 202129 July 2025What is Land Tax? Land Tax is an annual tax charged on the land value of all the property you own that is over and… Read More »2022 Land Tax Thresholds
Paw-some news for pet owners who live in Strata Titleby Melina Maiolo23 August 202131 July 2025KEY TAKE-OUTS: Keeping of animals by-laws Changes to laws concerning keeping a pet in Strata Title property The law is changing where it concerns keeping… Read More »Paw-some news for pet owners who live in Strata Title
How to find out your unimproved land valueby Melina Maiolo19 August 202128 July 2025Did you know you can conduct a free online search to find out your unimproved land value? What is your unimproved land value? Your unimproved… Read More »How to find out your unimproved land value
Buying or Selling Real Estate?by Melina Maiolo11 August 20212 July 2024In this podcast, Licensed Conveyancer, Melina Maiolo discusses what you need to know about buying or selling a property and how important seeking early legal… Read More »Buying or Selling Real Estate?
Attention First-Home Buyers! The Thresholds for Exemptions and Concessions From Duty Are Changing…but Not in the Way You Might Thinkby Melina Maiolo13 July 202128 July 2025KEY TAKE-OUTS First-home buyers will pay more in duty from 1 August 2021 as the current thresholds for new homes and vacant land revert to… Read More »Attention First-Home Buyers! The Thresholds for Exemptions and Concessions From Duty Are Changing…but Not in the Way You Might Think
Half a Houseby Melina Maiolo9 June 202128 July 2025You’ve all heard the story of the man who ended up with half a house. And I bet I can guess what you’re thinking –… Read More »Half a House
Land Tax Discount for New Build-to-Rent Housing Projectsby Melina Maiolo19 March 202129 July 2025KEY TAKE OUTS What is land tax How does this discount affect owners who qualify for it What is the purpose of the NSW Government… Read More »Land Tax Discount for New Build-to-Rent Housing Projects
2021 Land Tax Thresholdsby Melina Maiolo18 December 202028 July 2025What is Land Tax? Land Tax is an annual tax charged on all property you own that is above the land tax threshold. Generally speaking,… Read More »2021 Land Tax Thresholds