FINANCE - Ensure that you have your Finance in place. Knowing your limit means you will be only looking at properties you can afford. This guarantees you won't be dissapointed by becoming attached to a property you can't afford. Make sure you allow for all extra legal costs involved. eg. Stamp duty and conveyancing costs.

DO YOUR RESEARCH - It is imperative to do your homework and research prices. Research sales in those preferred areas using your local paper or I can provide some feedback. Inspect every property in your preferred area so you have a feel for the price. Attend all auctions in the area.

Develop a relationship with an agent specialising in your preferred area. The agent will be able to offer additional advice and also alert you to new listings before they reach the media. Our new Property Alert feature ensures you know what new properties are available before anybody else knows and whether they are in your price range.

FIND A PROPERTY - When you find a property that suits your requirements, ask your agent to send a copy of the sale contract to your solicitor or conveyancer. Following your solicitors or conveyancers advice on the sale contract you are now able to make an informed decision to proceed with an offer on the property through the agent.

INSPECTIONS - We recommend that you arrange a building and pest inspection to make you aware of any major defects and pest concerns eg: white ant, termites. This can be added as a condition to the contract if the property owner hasn't had reports done.

MAKING AN OFFER -  You will be required to put your offer in writing by signing a contract of sale and paying a deposit. Your deposit will be held in trust until settlement. The vendor will sign the contract of sale  and then the contracts will be sent to both parties' solicitors.

SETTLEMENT DAY - Your solicitor or conveyancer may request that you have a pre-settlement inspection before settlement takes place. This is to ensure that the property is in the same condition as when you last inspected it and that all the inclusions are as per the contract you signed.