8 key steps to buying a house or an apartment

Step 1: Save for a deposit

You can take this first step when the idea of buying a house or apartment is no more than a thought in the back of your mind. Having a history of consistent saving will get you a lot of credibility with your bank it shows you have the discipline to save for a deposit and the capacity to repay a mortgage.

A regular savings plan will also be instrumental in helping you to work out how much you can afford to borrow when you’re ready to buy. If you can comfortably set aside a predetermined amount every pay-day for a year or more, chances are you’ll be able to meet loan repayments at the same level. If you’re wondering how much you’ll need to save for a deposit, this will vary depending on the price point of your target properties and the loan to value ratio required by your bank. If you begin saving as soon as possible you’ll give yourself the best head start. To read more about home loans and what you need to know when buying a house or an apartment click here.

Step 2: Find out if you qualify for any grants

The government offers a number of grants, schemes, discounts and incentives to help first home buyers into the property market. You’ll need to do some research on your government area to see what you’re eligible for, but in most states you can expect a financial boost if you’re planning to live in the property you buy for at least six continuous months and/or you’re buying/building a brand new home up to certain price points. Some lenders will even count the first home buyers’ grant towards your deposit.

Step 3: Create a list of must-haves and a list of nice-to-haves

Writing a wishlist is a popular step on the journey to becoming a homeowner, but it’s a good idea to divide this list into two. The first list should include your must-haves. These are the deal-breakers you believe you can’t compromise on. For example, you may want to live within a particular school zone, or be no more than a half-hour commute from the office or from elderly parents, or have a double garage or workshop space to support an important hobby. Perhaps you need a fenced yard for a pet or single-level living due to mobility issues. The second list will detail all the features that would be nice but not essential. For example, air conditioning or a gas connection in the kitchen, or a park view. Maybe you would like four bedrooms but would settle for three, or perhaps you would prefer a dedicated home office but would settle for a study nook. You can use these lists to narrow down your options when you’re ready to buy and you can share them with agents you meet who can help you to find a home.

Click here to find out what location features should you look for when buying an apartment or house.

Writing a wishlist is a popular step on the journey to becoming a homeowner, but it’s a good idea to divide this list into two

Step 4: Get a loan pre-approval

Your mortgage broker or bank can help you to secure home loan pre-approval. Pre-approval means a lender has agreed, in principle, to lend you a certain amount of money towards the purchase of your home. It means you’re one step closer to being what agents call a qualified buyer - a buyer they should take more seriously because you’re more prepared to buy. It’s also a good way to set your budget, because the pre-approval will lock in exactly how much you can afford to spend. The lender will take a look at your assets and liabilities, your income and your expenses and assess whether you would be eligible for a home loan. If you get pre-approval, it generally lasts for between three and six months, allowing you to inspect property within your price range with more confidence, knowing you will most likely be able to secure a loan. Click for more detailed information about getting a home loan download our buying a house or apartment in NSW guide. Use our calculator to work out how much you may be able to borrow.

Step 5: Research your target areas

While information provided by friends, family and the media can help you to become familiar with a neighbourhood, it’s important to carry out your own research.

Once you have a shortlist of suburbs, do your homework on property prices - can you afford to buy here? Vacancy rates - it can be a positive indicator if a suburb is in high demand, crime rates - are there any recurrent problems? Plus amenities.

One of the best ways to see what a suburb offers is to go for a leisurely walk through the streets, noting the types of housing, whether homeowners are house proud, and where public transport, shops, parks and schools are located.

Stop and talk to the locals - they are better placed than anyone else to tell you what it’s like to live in their suburb. And be sure to befriend the local agents. Not only will they be able to help you with your early research, they’ll be instrumental in helping you to find a home that meets your needs.

Click here for more insights into how to research the market when buying a property in NSW.

Step 6: Get legal advice

When your house hunting gets to the serious end, you’ll need legal help to make sense of sales contracts. A sales contract includes the terms and conditions of the sale and important information about the land. While there’s a standard contract of sale used for most residential property transactions, each seller can amend the contract with their own special conditions and clauses. For example, the vendor might want a long settlement, or they may plan to remove certain fixtures from the home. A solicitor or conveyancer will be able to advise you on the contract. They’ll be able to explain any complicated inclusions and can also request changes to the contract if required.

Step 7: Do the appropriate inspections

Some vendors will make a recent pest and building inspection available to potential buyers, but more often than not you’ll have to pay for one yourself. An inspection is an important step to confirm the property you’re keen to buy is structurally sound, free of pests and doesn’t need any urgent repairs. If an issue is uncovered in the report and you still want to buy the property, you may be able to use the report findings as leverage to negotiate a better purchase price. If you’re buying an apartment, you can inspect the strata records yourself, or order a strata report from a company that specialises in inspecting these records. You want to find out if the building has any defects, if it’s well-maintained, if there have been disputes between owners, if there are adequate finances to cover the building’s running and maintenance costs, if the building is adequately insured, and if there are any special levies due. For more information about how to do your due diligence when buying a property click here.

Step 8: Make an offer

The final step in buying a property is to put forward your best offer, either directly to the agent or by bidding on auction day. If you’ve done all your due diligence in the lead up to this point, you’ll have a good idea how much the property is worth and what level of competition you are up against. Keep in mind that while a vendor may accept your offer, it is not legally binding until you have both signed and exchanged contracts. To see what properties we are selling click here. This information is provided subject to our Terms and Conditions.