Buying tips

Do you need some help finding your next property to buy?

Buying a house is considered to be one of the most stressful things we can do. Having the right information can alleviate the stress of purchasing your next property. The following tips will help you to find the right property for you.

Where should you buy a property?

‘Location Location Location’ – it’s an old real estate adage but it’s not a cliché. The location of the property is as important today as it ever was. So what makes a good location? Areas that are performing well include the inner city, waterfront properties and suburbs where new homes are being built. Other factors to consider are proximity to schools, shopping, restaurants and transport such as buses and trains.

What is the best aspect?

A property that faces north east is the best as these properties tend to be cooler in summer and warmer in winter. The opposite, a property facing south west will be colder in winter and hotter in summer. Other factors in the temperature and comfort of a home include elevation and the introduction of sustainable, energy saving practices. Read about sustainable living.

What features should you look for in a property?

Make a list of features that are important to you. Your list might include price, aspect, privacy, no stairs, low maintenance, capital gain. Once you have your list, choose those features that you consider non-negotiable and be prepared to compromise on others. Try to look for that one special feature such as a view, the aspect, and proximity to transport.

Check out the services in the local area

Have a look around the local area to find the proximity of public transport, schools, restaurants and cafes, shopping centres, medical centres, parks and sporting facilities. These can make vast difference to your lifestyle and to how much you will enjoy living in the home and the area.

Where can I find more buyer information?

The Internet is the perfect place to start and I’m pleased that you have found my website. You can scroll through all the current residential properties for sale that I have listed on my website. You’ll be able to see the full details of each property and find out when each is open for inspection.

If you know which suburb you want to live in – it may be Kenmore, Indooroopilly or somewhere more rural such as Pullenvale or Brookfield – spend some time driving around the suburb to see what is available. Check out local newspapers and visit open homes – you’ll be able to compare prices and get a feel for areas and styles that will suit you and your lifestyle.

Find out what you can afford

Arrange to meet with your bank manager or finance broker to work out exactly how much you can borrow and therefore what you can afford. There’s no point in looking at ‘Moet’ if your budget only reaches to ‘Yellow’.

Another option to consider is to shop around to find the best mortgage rate. Start by reading the information on getting a mortgage in ‘Useful info’.

Include in your projected budget all the extra costs associated with owning a home. There are extra costs associated with owning a home such as council rates, insurance and home maintenance and repairs.

What to look for in a property

Does the property fit your wants and needs? Consider the following:

Will you enjoy living in the neighbourhood?
Is it in an area likely to hold resale value or benefit from capital growth?
Are there any long-term costs or issues e.g. body corporate fees, jointly owned driveways?
Does the entire house, including alterations, have the required council permits?
Is the property built for the climate? Brisbane is hot so a north east aspect will give you a home that is warm in winter and cool in summer. Find out if the place is insulated? What other energy saving features does the house have? Check out some ideas about sustainable living. You might want to check with your local council about planning issues. Make sure there is no big development, council resumptions or new roads planned that will affect the property.
Does the home need major changes to make it comfortable? If so, you might want to get a good idea of costs before you make an offer.
Is the property suitable for your stage in life? Young families are looking for schools and other family friendly services. Empty nesters may want to downsize and a keen gardener is looking for a property where they can get their hands dirty. Someone a bit older might be looking for a single level home where there are no stairs to negotiate.

Ask your solicitor or conveyancer to advise on what the different titles mean or what terms on a Title of Sale mean. Find someone to look after the legals on our links page.

Make a list of your wants in a house

To help you keep focused on what you really want in a home or investment property, make a checklist of all the things that you want (and another of what you absolutely don’t want) and include the services you want in the area.

Do the open for inspection rounds

When planning to go to several open for inspections, make a list of houses in time order so that you have plenty of time to get from one house to another. Making notes of features you like about each house and taking photographs will help you to to keep track of the houses you like best

These are just a few ideas to help you when buying your next property. If you are interested in selling your property in the Western Suburbs, email Liza at lizamckilliam@remax.com.au or complete the contact form.