Buying Tips

1. Speak with your finance advisor or bank to arrange the best loan to suit your needs.

2. Make a list of what you absolutely must have in a property so that you don’t get carried away and buy something that looks great but doesn’t have what you really need.

3. Make a ‘wish list’ so that these desired but non essential items can be factored into your decision making when you find them in a property within your price range.

4. Prepare a short list of preferred areas that suit your lifestyle. Keep in mind affordability and accommodation requirements.

5. Research sales in those preferred areas. Inspect every property in your preferred area so you have a feel for the price. Attend all auctions and home opens in the area. Ask an agent for guidance and any information they can provide.

6. Develop a relationship with a Sales Agent specialising in your preferred area. The agent will be able to offer additional advice and also alert you to new listings before they reach the market.

7. Once you have found a property and negotiations have been finalised, you will be required to sign the sale contract and pay a deposit. Your deposit will be held in a trust account until settlement.

8. Your agent will send a copy of the sale contract to you and your solicitor or conveyancer.

9. We recommend that you arrange a building and pest inspection to make you aware of any major defects and pest concerns eg: white ant, termites.

10. A week prior to settlement it is recommended that you have a pre-settlement inspection. This is to ensure that the property is in the same condition as when you last inspected it and that all the inclusions are as per the contract you signed. All gas, plumbing and electrical should be in good working order.