Finding a home

Finding the perfect property will be a lot easier if you do your homework and don't rush the process. It's important to see a variety of properties in order to get a feel for the market and make the right decision when the time comes.

Below are more helpful tips you may wish consider:

 

Get pre-approved finance

Obtain your finance before you begin house hunting. Applying for a loan pre-approval with our Home Seeker service is simple, and having your finance approved will put your mind at ease.

If you leave it too late to apply for your home loan, other buyers who already have approved finance may beat you to your chosen property. What's more, should you successfully bid at auction without having your loan approved, you could lose your deposit if your loan doesn't come through.

 

Set time aside

House hunting is hard work and there are no easy shortcuts. Devote at least one day a week to serious house hunting.

 

Ask around

Talk to real estate agents to get a better idea of properties available and prices in the area. You should also talk to friends and family who have purchased in the areas you're interested in.

 

Start a property diary

When you visit a lot of properties, individual features can begin to run together in your memory. Start a diary with clippings, notes and photos of the places you've seen, and make a note of the asking price and any other stand out features.

 

Take photos

Invest in an instant or digital camera. It's a good idea to take snaps of various properties, inside and out, particularly of details you wish to remember.

 

Don't forget to inspect

Once you've found a potential home, arrange for property and pest inspections before exchanging contracts. Unless you're an expert, it can be hard to spot potentially costly problems.