Define what you are looking for
As you begin your search it’s a good idea to come up with a list of ‘must haves’ and ‘nice to haves’ and be ready for this to evolve throughout your search, your perfect home may not be quite what you expect.
Where to look for the ‘one’
We are surrounded by options to browse through properties for sale. Some of us become attached to scrolling through real estate apps and websites while others love flicking through newspapers. Both channels provide descriptions of the properties, advise of the type of sale (private or auction), outline times the property will be open for inspection and the real estate agent’s details. Conducting your search online (website or in app) will give you access to more detailed information and photos, the ability to create lists of your favourite properties, inspection schedules, and in some cases, a virtual tour of the property.
Identify the frontrunners
Once you’ve sifted through what’s available, make a shortlist of properties you’d like to inspect. Saturday is the most popular day for inspections, but the agent may be able to arrange for you to view the property at another time if you ask.
Explore far and wide
A common mistake is not looking at enough properties. The more properties you look at, which could mean 20 or more, the better you are able to judge the properties on offer in your preferred area and what price they are looking for. It may also refine the ‘must haves’ and ‘nice to haves’. Yes you are right in thinking this may take several weeks, if not months. Just remember this is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make and that when the time comes to commit, it’s important you get that warm fuzzy feeling that tells you its right.
Keep an open mind
The reality for most people is that we can’t secure our dream home straight away. Sometimes you may need to look at a home that is a bit smaller, needs some work or is perhaps in a different area that you wanted. Having an open mind may mean you find a property that you really like, sooner. You can always make changes to your home to fix up anything that you don’t love. And who knows, you may even end up feeling like it’s a better match than what you were originally look for!
Be patient and don’t give up
You might find yourself making a number of offers on different properties before winning one and it can be tempting to either bid too high or simply give up. The trick is to do neither. Instead, step back and take five, re-evaluate your home buying strategy, focus on what’s important to you and where you can make compromises to get your dream home. And, stay as positive as you can.
Explore our Home Buyer hub for more tips when you're planning to buy a home.
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