What is my lawyer's responsibility when I purchase a property?

The duties of your lawyer are the following:
* BEFORE YOU PAY THE OPTION MONEY AND SIGN THE OPTION TO PURCHASE

1. Title Search : to verify and confirm the property's ownership before advising you whether or not to pay or sign the option to purchase
2. Bankruptcy or winding-up & judicial management search : to check that the seller is not in the bankruptcy list or winding up judicial management list
3. Option or Sale Contract Check : to make sure that the terms of the contract are fair and agreeable to you

* AFTER YOU SIGN THE OPTION TO PURCHASE

1. Caveat Lodge : to make sure that another person cannot make any deals with your property.
2. Official enquiry on the Title with the seller's lawyer : a detailed check is made on the Title of your property to ensure that it is in order.
3. Send official enquiries to various government departments : to find out whether there is any legal obstacle on the property.
4. Transfer documentation : prepare the transfer in your favour, send them to the seller's lawyer for approval, and then engross the document.
5. Preparing or vetting the mortgage loan and/or CPF Board documentation : contact your banker & the CPF Board for the necessary documents .
6. Notify the Management Corporation : (if a strata titled property is purchased) the MC will be notified, and particulars of the maintenance and service charges obtained
7. Completion Account : inform you that you have to get ready the necessary payments.
8. Completion : after making a final search to confirm that that the Title is free from any encumbrances, your lawyer will arrange and meet all parties involved to exchange the documents, payments and keys.