When you’re buying a home there’s a lot to think about, but it doesn’t need to be stressful. These tips can help you steer in the right direction if you’re considering a move in the near future.

1. Tips To Help You Buy The Right Home

2. Don’t Believe The Hype (Good or Bad)
On these pages you’ll find:
• median property prices;
• data showing the impact of interest rates;
• and the average number of people looking for property
in that suburb versus the number of properties for
sale.
All this gives you a great insight into the suburbs you’re
considering for your next move or investment so you can
leap with confidence into the adventure.
A particularly useful insight is supply to demand ratios and
trends over time. These give you the bigger picture of a
location, and can help you consider the property/suburb’s
potential.
What matters is whether it’s your right time to buy, for
your needs and circumstances. Knowing the state of play
is useful to help you calibrate that decision, but shouldn’t
be the only thing that motivates.

3. Location & fieldwork
The old property maxim still holds true. But that doesn’t
mean inner city rules.
You want a property that delivers what you need now,
or enough of what you need that you’re happy to
compromise for longer term capital growth.
Be very clear about what matters to you
• access to major roads;
• public transport;
• shopping or entertainment hubs;
• schools;
• cultural diversity.
Shortlist suburbs that deliver on those needs.
Do some field work to make sure the suburb’s right for
you. Walk around the area you’re thinking of buying in.
Grab a coffee, or a meal at the local pub. Pretend
you’re already living there and see if distances are what
they seem, and atmosphere is living up to expectations.

4. Consider Surrounding Suburbs
If your target suburb is out of budget,
consider more affordable neighboring
suburbs.
Before you buy, talk to locals to get
residents views on the suburb and its
best streets. Reading local
publications and connecting with local
websites, bloggers or personalities
can also give you helpful insight.
If you’re attracted to an area because
of its rising value, remember that may
spill over into next door suburbs.

5. Consider Surrounding Suburbs
Cooler periods in the housing market can
be windows of opportunity, so it’s worth
keeping an eye on interest rate and
market trends.
Some locations are hitting the bottom of a
pricing cycle, so there are bargains to be
had.
If you’re not ready yet, use Spring to
prepare to buy in the quieter months of the
year, when there may be less competition
for the house of your dreams.

6. Talk to the experts
Talk to local agents to find out what’s
happening in the market.
Find more tips on buying here
You may not get your dream home right
away. It’s ok. Consider apartments
instead of houses in the location you are
wanting to purchase, they are often
more affordable and put you in your
desired location. Or you may choose a
property that needs a little TLC, but ticks
other boxes.
Work closely with your agent to develop
an action plan and strategy that meets
your goals and needs.

7. Get in first
When looking for real estate
bargains, register for property
alerts so you are among the first
to hear about properties for sale.
Other ways to keep a step ahead
include searching via the public
trustee, deceased estates and
mortgagee sales.

8. Monitor close to home
If you’re looking to buy a
property in an area where you’re
already living, take a close look
at other properties that go up for
sale nearby. Look at how they’re
marketed, how well inspections
are attended and how long they
spend on the market.
This will give you an indication of
how the market is doing in your
neighborhood and can guide
you on the price you should be
paying for a property close by.

9. Inspect smartly
Smart sellers naturally stage
their homes to make sure they
look their best when you view
them. You’d do the same.
Remember to look between the
lines (or cushions) for issues
that might not be immediately
obvious. Take along a list of
practical things to check – things
like adequate power points, hole
or cracks. That way, if you fall
instantly in love, you won’t
suddenly forget to sanity check
for possible pain points.

10. Inspect smartly
Smart sellers naturally stage
their homes to make sure they
look their best when you view
them. You’d do the same.
Remember to look between the
lines (or cushions) for issues
that might not be immediately
obvious. Take along a list of
practical things to check – things
like adequate power points, hole
or cracks. That way, if you fall
instantly in love, you won’t
suddenly forget to sanity check
for possible pain points.