Purchasing your first home can be an exciting yet overwhelming journey. To make this process smoother and ensure you’re ready to seize the right opportunity, here’s a handy checklist of tips to get you fully organised.
1. Get Your Finances in Order
Organise Financial Documents: Collect pay slips, tax returns, and bank statements.
Understand Your Budget: Know how much you can afford to spend on your new home.
Obtain Pre-approval: Secure a mortgage pre-approval to strengthen your buying position.
2. Create Your Wish List
Identify Must-Haves: Think about the features that are most important to you (e.g., number of bedrooms, garden, proximity to work).
Consider Location: Research neighbourhoods where you’d like to live.
Future Plans: Reflect on whether this home is a short-term or long-term investment (3 years versus 10 years).
3. Stay Organised
Property File: Start a folder to keep track of all the properties you view, including notes and photos.
Set Up Alerts: Create searches on realestate.com and domain.com to receive notifications of new listings that fit your criteria.
4. Evaluate Your Options
Assess Renovation Readiness: Decide if you’re willing to take on a fixer-upper or prefer a move-in ready home.
Weigh Suburb Choices: Consider if you want a smaller property in a preferred suburb or a larger one in a less favoured area.
5. Do Your Due Diligence
Market Research: Understand property prices in the areas you’re considering. Beware of overpaying due to lack of knowledge.
Be Cautious with Price Guides: Price guides can be misleading; properties may end up selling for much more or less than listed.
Avoid Rushing Offers: Take your time to conduct thorough research before making an offer. When I buy a home on behalf of clients, I go through nine important steps before I make an offer. It's a rigorous process that ensures my clients have their absolute best foot forward in negotiations.
6. Get Expert Help if Needed
Consider a Buyer’s Agent: While hiring a buyer's agent comes with a fee, the amount of money you could save on your purchase should never be overlooked. Most people discover they’ve overpaid for a property only after it’s too late. A knowledgeable buyer's agent can help you navigate the complexities of the market, ensuring you make informed decisions.
Final Thoughts
Purchasing a home is not just about finding a place to live; it’s a significant investment that requires careful planning and consideration. By staying organised and informed, you’ll be better equipped to make decisions that suit your needs and budget. I would be delighted to make an appointment for you would like to discuss your goals and property dreams.
"After unsuccessfully searching independently for a year, Felicity's drive, network connections and diligence made all the difference by securing our acreage dream within a matter of weeks" (Joshua and Nicola )
Are you ready to find your dream home?
Contact us today on 0449765106 to learn how we can help you secure your perfect home
With the right guidance, your dream home is within reach. Let’s embark on this journey together.
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