1. The day arrives when you want to purchase your first house. The first thing to do is make an appointment with your chosen financier to see if you are eligible for the first home buyers grant and to find out how much you can borrow. This allows you to look for a property in your price range and avoid disappointment either by not being able to afford the house you like or signing a contract of sale and having it end due to finance not being approved. You need to find out also what Solicitors costs are, the cost of stamp duty and other hidden costs.
2. Prepare a short list of preferred areas and your property requirements which suit your lifestyle and your pocket.
3. Go to Open Inspections, research the internet and local newspaper for recent sales and current listings in your preferred area so you have a feel for price and value for money
4. Develop a relationship with your Jays Real Estate Sales Agent.
Let them know all of your requirements so they can offer additional information and can alert you to new listings before they are advertised. If the Agent contacts you with a “left field” property, have a look. If the Agent knows you well enough you may be pleasantly surprised at their judgment.
5. Once you have found “the one” ensure that your Solicitor views the Contract of Sale before you sign. Once you sign the Contract ensure that you organise an Insurance Cover Note over the property within 24 hours. Follow up with your Agent and Solicitor on inspections and ensure they are completed in the time frame required by the contract of sale. In most cases If all goes well you should be in your new home at the end of 30 days from the date of signing your Contract.
