A home buyer’s checklist
If recent studies are anything to go by, 2021 is the year that many Australians intend to embrace the dream of purchasing property.
In fact, data indicates 39 per cent of Australians have plans to buy a property in the next 12 months, which means one in every three people is currently weighing their options when it comes to their next property move.
So, if you’re serious about buying, what sort of things should you be considering? Here’s a home buyer’s checklist to help you take the next step on the property journey.
Talk to a lender
Your budget will determine the types of properties you should be considering, which makes talking to a lender or mortgage broker the first port of call for any prospective purchaser.
A lender or mortgage broker will help you determine exactly what you can afford to pay for a property, which begins to narrow down that all-important property search.
Even if you’re not ready to buy for six months or so, it’s a great idea to talk to a lender well in advance as they can offer helpful hints on how to ensure you are a solid prospect when it comes to approving a loan.
Make a list
Regardless of whether it’s an investment property or your dream home, the property search often starts with a list of the areas or suburbs you like, the property features you want and the benefits you’re looking for.
Often this list comprises non-negotiables and nice-to-haves.
Non-negotiables are the features you can’t do without, such as a set number of bedrooms, while nice to haves are the things you would like, but can do away with in the right circumstances.
Then it comes down to researching the areas that you’re looking at, investigating what’s planned for that area in the future, such as infrastructure, developments and more.
The search begins
Once you’ve determined your budget, what you want and the suburbs that appeal, it’s time to start the property search in earnest, and at this stage you may wish to get finance pre-approval.
This helps speed up the purchasing and negotiation process and also assists if the property you’re looking at is going to auction.
If you’re after something really specific, it can also help to register as a potential buyer on an agent’s database. That way they can alert you when a property that fits your bill comes to market.
Making an offer
When you find the perfect property, the next stage is to make a suitable offer, pending conditions like finance approval, pest and building inspections etc.
The agent handling the sale will help guide you through this process, liaising with the seller and inserting any suitable clauses into the contract of sale.
Pest and building, valuation
Once an offer is accepted, the countdown to settlement begins, so now is the time to engage a lawyer or conveyancer, while also undertaking due diligence.
This includes having all necessary inspections conducted, such as pest and building inspections, while your lender will also need to value the property as well.
Countdown to settlement
With finance approved, property value ascertained and pest and building inspections conducted, you are in the final stretch to the property’s official sale, when your bank releases the funds and the property becomes yours.
At this point you will want to line up insurance to take effect on the day of settlement, while your lawyer will be liaising behind the scenes to ensure everything is going to plan.
Settlement
Settlement is the moment when a buyer officially takes possession of the keys to a property and it becomes theirs.
Now’s the moment to pop the champagne and celebrate a property journey which resulted in a home to call your own.
Ready to start the purchasing journey?
You can view the properties our Eview agents currently have available for sale here.
If you’re considering selling and would like one of our agents to appraise your home, please complete the form below and we’ll be in touch shortly.
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