Buyer Inclusion
With BidConvey, inclusion means having a real say in choosing the conveyancer who will handle your property transfer. Because when you're paying the transfer costs, your voice should matter.
A real say in choosing the conveyancer who will handle your property transfer.
Instead of being excluded from the decision, you choose from a seller-approved shortlist, with transparent pricing and service information.
How do I start the process?
To use BidConvey, you must initiate the process when making your offer to purchase. Simply request that the BidConvey conveyancer nomination process be included as a special condition in your Offer to Purchase.
Once the seller accepts your offer, including this condition, the BidConvey selection process can begin.
What Inclusion Gives You
BidConvey introduces a more inclusive approach to conveyancer selection.
- See your conveyancing options
- Compare pricing and service information
- Choose from a seller-approved shortlist
- A fairer, more transparent process
Because when buyers are included, the system becomes fairer and more transparent.
What to do now
Register where you are in the buying process and get guidance
Register my buying stageCompare the options, see the value
How much does Choice cost?
A small fee for a bigger saving
BidConvey charges 10% of the saving you achieve.
Worked example of the BidConvey buyer fee on a R5,000.00 saving
VAT and Processing Charges will vary, depending on the BidConvey fee.
No additional BidConvey charges will be added at checkout.
No saving. No BidConvey fee.
Buying a Property: Explained
Buying a property can be exciting - but the process comes with legal terms, professionals and costs that can be confusing if you haven’t bought property before. Here’s a simple guide to the key terms you’re likely to encounter.
Bond pre-qualification gives you an early indication of how much a bank may be prepared to lend you to buy a property. It is based on factors such as your income, expenses and credit profile.
Pre-qualification is not final bond approval. The bank will still need to assess your application and the property before granting the bond.
An Offer to Purchase (OTP) is the document in which you make a formal offer to buy the property. It sets out important terms, including:
- The purchase price
- How the purchase will be secured (cash, finance or both)
- Any conditions that must be met
- The occupation date
- Who is responsible for particular costs
- Other rights and obligations of the buyer and seller
Once properly accepted and signed by the parties, the OTP generally becomes a legally binding agreement.
Don’t treat the OTP as just paperwork. Make sure you understand what you are signing before you sign it. You are not required to simply accept the OTP presented to you. You can propose changes, add clauses, or request that certain existing clauses be amended before you sign. The seller can then accept, reject, or negotiate those changes.
One of the most important clauses a buyer can consider is who appoints the transfer conveyancer. Traditionally, the seller or the seller’s estate agent may present the buyer with a conveyancer already selected for the transaction. But if you are paying the transfer costs, you may reasonably want a say in who provides that service and at what value. A buyer can therefore propose a BidConvey clause in the OTP. The important point is that OTP is a proposal, not an instruction to the seller. The seller remains free to consider the clause.
Is a seller likely to reject an offer because of the BidConvey clause?
The BidConvey approach is designed to address the seller’s legitimate concern, the uncertainty that may come with a buyer appointment. BidConvey establishes a fair and transparent process that protects both parties. There is a strong argument that the seller has little reason to reject an offer, simply because the buyer has asked for a say.
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of the property from the seller to the buyer. A conveyancer handles the legal and administrative work required to prepare the transaction for registration at the Deeds Office. This can include obtaining and preparing documents, dealing with the parties and relevant authorities, obtaining the required certificates and ensuring that the transaction complies with the legal requirements for registration.
These are the costs associated with transferring the property into your name. Depending on the transaction, they can include:
- Transfer duty or VAT, where applicable
- Conveyancer’s professional fees
- Deeds Office fees
- Administrative and other necessary disbursements
Conveyancer’s professional fees
These fees are guided by the conveyancing tariff - not a fixed price - a benchmark. The professional fee is negotiable and does not mean that every conveyancer must or will charge exactly that amount. In most if not all instances, where the choice of conveyancer is made solely by the seller, the buyer will be presented with one conveyancer. One offering. One fee. No comparison, No choice.
Simply put, BidConvey gives the buyer a marketplace against which to test that benchmark, on both price and offering.
By adding the BidConvey clause to your OTP, you include yourself in the decision, unlock comparison, choice and best value.
Transfer Duty vs VAT
The amount depends on factors such as the purchase price and whether transfer duty is payable. Transfer duty is a tax imposed on the acquisition of property in circumstances where transfer duty applies. It is generally a cost for the buyer and is separate from the conveyancer’s professional fee and other transfer costs. The amount of transfer duty depends on the applicable rules and the value of the transaction.
VAT, or Value-Added Tax, may apply where the seller is a VAT vendor and the sale of the property forms part of the seller’s taxable business activities. Where VAT applies to the transaction, transfer duty will not apply to that same acquisition.
The difference between transfer duty and VAT can be significant and a buyer should understand which is applicable. Where VAT applies, a buyer should understand whether the price includes or excludes VAT. The answer can materially affect the total amount required to complete the purchase.
If you are buying the property with a home loan, your bank will require a mortgage bond to be registered over the property. A separate conveyancer handles the legal process of registering that bond in favour of the bank.
The costs can include:
- Bond registration conveyancer’s professional fees
- Deeds Office fees
- Other necessary administrative costs and disbursements
What Could I Pay?
If you are buying a property with a home loan, you may have to budget for two separate groups of costs:
These are separate processes and separate costs.
And What About the Conveyancer?
This is an important part of the property-buying process. The conveyancer plays a critical role in getting the property transferred into your name. Because the conveyancer is an important professional in the transaction - and because the buyer may ultimately bear the transfer costs - it is reasonable for buyers to want to understand who is handling the transfer and what they are paying for.
Traditionally, the seller appoints the transfer conveyancer. BidConvey is designed to give both buyer and seller a meaningful say in the appointment of the transfer conveyancer.
Instead of one party simply selecting a conveyancer, BidConvey introduces a structured, competitive and transparent process:
This allows the seller to have confidence that the conveyancer is suitable and capable, while giving the buyer an opportunity to consider choice, service and value.
The objective isn’t to take the seller’s choice away. It’s to create a process where both parties have a voice in an appointment that affects both of them.
If the buyer is paying the transfer costs, shouldn’t the buyer have a say in who provides the service?
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from property buyers about using BidConvey to appoint the transferring conveyancer.
Don't sellers normally appoint the transferring conveyancer?
In most standard sale agreements, sellers are given the contractual right to nominate the transferring conveyancer. BidConvey provides an alternative process where buyers and sellers participate together in an online appointment.
Won’t a seller reject my offer if they already have a transfer conveyancer and I want to use BidConvey?
Probably not.
A seller’s primary concern is that bias in favour of the buyer’s nominated conveyancer could prejudice their rights.
BidConvey addresses that concern by facilitating an objective and transparent appointment process designed to ensure that neither party is favoured.
BidConvey is about giving both parties a fair say – particularly where the buyer pays the transfer costs.
Why should I care who the transferring conveyancer is?
The transferring conveyancer is responsible for managing the legal transfer of ownership of the property. The quality of service, communication, responsiveness, and fees can differ between firms.
Does the transferring conveyancer act for the buyer?
No. The transferring conveyancer does not act exclusively for the buyer or seller. They act objectively and give effect to the terms of the sale agreement.
Does the transferring conveyancer act for the seller?
No. The transferring conveyancer does not act exclusively for the seller. Their role is to facilitate the transfer according to the rights and obligations contained in the sale agreement.
Is it legal to use BidConvey?
Yes. Buyers and sellers are free to agree on how the transferring conveyancer will be appointed, provided both parties consent.
How do I use BidConvey when making an offer?
Simply request that the BidConvey conveyancer nomination process be included as a special condition in your Offer to Purchase. Once the seller accepts your offer, including this condition, the BidConvey selection process can begin.
Will using BidConvey delay my property transaction?
No. The conveyancer selection process is designed to be completed (within a 24 hour business window) quickly so that the transfer can proceed without unnecessary delay.
Will I automatically get the cheapest conveyancer?
Not necessarily. BidConvey is designed to encourage value, quality, and service — not simply the lowest price.
Can I compare conveyancing fees?
Yes. BidConvey allows buyers to compare fee proposals alongside service offerings.
Do I have the final say?
Yes. Although BidConvey is designed to be a shared appointment process between buyer and seller, the buyer makes the final choice.
What if I have a bond?
If you are obtaining finance, you will still have a separate bond registration attorney appointed by your bank.
Do I still pay transfer fees?
Yes. BidConvey changes how the conveyancer is selected, not who is responsible for the transfer costs.
What if the seller refuses to use BidConvey?
The seller may reject the amendment. Like any other contractual term, both parties must agree before it becomes binding.
Get guidance that matches where you actually are.
Tell us your stage and we will send the material for that stage — not a generic brochure. Nothing here commits you to anything.
What happens next. You get an on-screen confirmation immediately. Someone follows up on the channel you choose.
If you are preparing an offer, say so — the clause has to be in the Offer to Purchase before anyone signs, and that is the only moment it can be added.
BidConvey is a technology platform and does not provide legal, tax, or financial advice.
Registered.
Powered by Inclusion.
The property industry works best when it works for everyone. BidConvey introduces transparency, choice, and participation into the conveyancing process.