Is it necessary to hire a lawyer when buying a property in Austria?

Do I need to hire a lawyer to help with the property purchase process in Austria? What is the legal process of a property purchase in Austria? 

It is not common to hire a lawyer when buying a property in Austria. Contracts tend to have a standard language and the property ownership transfer is carried out by a notary, an impartial government appointed authority, who checks the main ownership features and burdens. The lawyer or notary will prepare the purchase documentation. 

In new developments, there is typically a lawyer/notary/legal firm appointed to deal with the whole development and there is a standard documentation suite for all buyers. 

Sometimes foreigner buyers will use solicitors as an additional precaution to ensure everything runs smoothly. In the more complicated cases, it could be advisable.