The best answer is the sooner, the better. As the vendor, you need to have a contract of sale prepared prior to listing your home for sale. If you are concerned about incurring solicitors fees, you may wish to start the process by obtaining market appraisals from real estate agents to understand what your property is worth to confirm that it is the right time for you to sell. Speak with the top performing agents in your suburb. If you are the purchaser, you don’t need to wait until you have a contract ready to sign. In fact, it is better to have done the selection process much earlier so you have them there as a sounding board should you come across any specific issues relating to the property sale. If a legal problem arises then they are there at the ready. Never, EVER, sign anything without seeking a conveyancer or a solicitor’s advice first.