Find a Home

One of the best ways to find a home and to see what is available in your price range is to search online.

Look at websites for agents in the area you wish to buy and see what sort of properties are available in your price.

Look in your local newspapers and agents windows.

Don’t just look in the one suburb/area you first select – good buys can be found in adjoining suburbs/areas – if the area you first select seems to be a bit out of your price range, looks at properties and homes in adjoining areas – these often have similar amenities but maybe a bit more realistic in price. Drive around the area, study the streetscapes, find out what amenities there are – you might find the area you thought you liked at first, is not the one you decide to live in.

Be prepared to be adaptable and open to change as you move through the research process to

find a home. Spend time in thoroughly researching the market in area you wish to buy and you will find you develop a feel for the area and the prices for different properties – don’t be in a rush to put in an offer on what might seem the perfect property at the outset. There is no substitute for completing thorough research.

When you feel you have a good feel for the market of your choice, start looking seriously to find a home that may fit your bill – that have the features on your list and are in your price range.

Before contacting the agents, go and have a look at the properties from the street, is it as appealing as the photo?, what are the adjoining properties like? Does it look like the property may need more work than what you thought? What amount would need to be spent to complete any works? What are comparable properties in the area selling for?

If you are feeling good about the home, contact the agent and arrange for an inspection.

Be prepared to step away and make any enquiries you might need to from local authorities in relation the planning, any requirements for undertaking works, water authorities and the like.

Don’t feel pressured to make a decision immediately.

If you like the property then ask the agent for a copy of the Contract document or property information so you can take this to your representative to checking and so you can make any further investigations you might need to.

When you have completed these enquiries and have all the information you need – time to choose your representative