Buying Tips

  1. Have all of your finances in order and your loan (if required) pre-approved so that you know exactly how much you can borrow and are ready to act immediately.

  2. Make a wishlist of features you’re looking for that are achievable within your price range, starting with those features that you won’t compromise on followed by those that you can forgo. Try not to waver from your ‘must have’ features and you’ll be a much happier buyer.

  3. Do your research! The Sydney Morning Herald Home Price Guide, Domain and R P Data are a great source of sales data. Speak to our agents about recent sales results. Inspect as many properties as you can in your desired areas so you get a feel for current values. Attend auctions so you can see how many people are bidding.

  4. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice. Our agents are here to help with anything, big or small, so call us for astute advice on any property related matter. We’ll be only too glad to help.

  5. As soon as you find a property that meets your requirements, ask the sales agent to send a copy of the Contract of Sale to your solicitor or conveyancer.

  6. Invest in both a building and pest inspection. This small initial outlay might save you from some major expenses down the track. Our agents can put you in touch with trusted professionals.

  7. If you are considering buying an apartment or strata titled property, make sure you take a look at the building’s Strata Report to ensure there is nothing important that may affect your decision to purchase, such as impending outlays for building work.

  8. Before bidding at an auction, familiarise yourself with the Office of Fair Trading's ‘Bidder's Guide’ to ensure you fully understand the procedure. You can download a copy at www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/pdfs/secondarymenus/publications/ftr31.pdf

  9. If you’re the successful bidder at auction you will be required to pay a non-refundable 10% deposit on the spot, so have a cheque ready. Both parties then sign the Contract of Sale which is known as exchange of contracts. When buying via the private treaty method, you will still be required to pay a 10% deposit however you are entitled by law to a five day cooling off period in which you as the buyer may change your mind, back out of the sale and receive your deposit back. In both instances your deposit will be held in an interest bearing trust account until settlement. Following exchange, you have a financial interest in the property so it’s wise to get it insured.

  10. On settlement day, when you pay the remaining amount owning on your home, you may request a pre-settlement inspection. This is simply to make sure that the property is in the same condition as when you last inspected it, as per the contract you signed, and that all the inclusions are there.