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So you’ve decided on a sea change and have settled on moving to the beautiful postcode of 3228? Amazing! We are so excited to have you in our gorgeous township. With everything from stunning beaches, incredible bars and restaurants, friendly people and a central commute to sporting grounds, shopping centres, train stations and much more … you could not have picked a better place to live!
Now it’s time to sort out the nitty-gritty details of finding the perfect property for you. Whether you are buying your first home, your forever home, an investment property or a weekend getaway – it is still one of the most important transactions you will make in a lifetime so ensuring it ticks all the boxes is an absolute must! So to make things easier – here is a list of our DOS and DON’TS when purchasing in 3228 compiled with expert advice from the McCartney sales team!
Things we recommend you DO
Sort out your finances
This step is undeniably the most crucial because without it… purchasing is virtually impossible. Having a clear understanding of your funds for the property will simplify your search by allowing you to filter out irrelevant options and concentrate solely on what is within your financial reach. If you are after financial advice, we highly recommend the team from U-Financial who are well-equipped to assist with a wide range of services, including purchasing your first property, loan refinancing, and everything in between.
Study your budget
Ideally, this should be completed initially whilst sorting your borrowing capacity. It’s amazing to have pre-approved finances and naturally, we want to acquire the best property that our loan allows. However, if you are going to live on the Surf Coast you want to make sure you can really LIVE. We have so many amazing amenities that you want to be able to take full advantage of – so considering the cost of the lifestyle is extremely important. Creating a practical budget that accounts for expenses such as dining out, morning coffees, and purchasing local produce and petrol for travel is imperative. If you require assistance, we once again recommend the team at U-Financial who will also be able to support you in optimising your finances in a pragmatic yet enjoyable fashion.
Know WHERE you want to live
Whilst we think the whole of 3228 is pretty great, it actually covers quite a bit of land so it’s valuable to know what area you want to purchase as this will impact things like cost, access to amenities and schools, walking distance to the beach and much more!
Know your non-negotiables and your compromises
This can be the make or break of purchasing a property, particularly if you are planning on occupying it yourself, but will also impact things like rental return if you’re after an investment. There are obvious decisions like the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, living areas and parking spaces however the little things do make a big difference. What block orientation are you after to make the most of natural light? What yard size do you need to entertain and fit any tools or gadgets? Making a list of things that are a MUST vs. the things you are willing to adjust on will make your search much easier!
Familiarise yourself with the local agencies and agents
Building these relationships can be beneficial in assisting you with your search and granting you early or exclusive access to off-market properties and listings that are yet to hit the market. It also means that agents can recommend properties within your criteria that you may not have considered.
Things we recommend you Don’t DO
Overwhelm yourself
As much as we as agents try to make this process as stress-free as possible, for most people feeling the pressure of purchasing is inevitable – especially if there is lots on the market. No matter how much you love house hunting, if you look at 15 open for inspections in one day – you will be exhausted trying to remember what you did/didn’t love about each home. Where possible, try and limit the number of inspections you are attending at once so you can really absorb the different assets and features of each property. By really refining your search and utilising your non-negotiables/compromises list you will reduce the list of inspections you attend, consequently minimising the sense of feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
Be disingenuine
We fully understand that not every property will be a perfect fit for everyone. In fact, it’s rare for a single property to meet the needs of the majority. Fortunately, all it takes is one interested buyer to achieve a successful sale. If a home doesn’t match your specific requirements or falls outside your budget, please don’t hesitate to inform us so we can help you find the ideal property. It can be disheartening for a property owner to hear that someone loves their home and is ready to make an offer, only to discover later that the interest was insincere or financially unfeasible. This can also deter an agent from taking your interest genuinely in the future so honesty and transparency is always the best policy in these scenarios.
Bargain Hunt
If a property is a bargain – the agent will tell you. Trying to negotiate or presenting an offer well below the listed price range is not only discouraged but can also be perceived as disrespectful to the homeowners. Empathise with their perspective when making an offer and consider how it would feel to receive an offer that significantly undervalues your property.
Inspect with unrealistic expectations
If you have a budget of $950,000, looking at a $1,200,000 home is not only irrelevant but also sets unrealistic criteria for properties within your price range – so don’t compare them! Additionally, unless a property is a brand new build chances are it’s likely to exhibit some wear and tear. Even the most impeccably maintained homes will bear signs of use, so it’s essential to consider this before becoming excessively critical of a property’s condition. Unless otherwise stated, remember that it is not a display home!
Restrict yourself
People will always need/want to sell their houses and the market is constantly evolving, meaning there will always be a supply of available properties. Unless there is an urgent necessity forcing you to acquire a property within a short time frame, be patient! There’s no point rushing into purchasing a property you dislike merely for the sake of doing so. Instead, maintain regular contact with local agents, monitor local listing websites and social media channels, and ensure that you buy at a time that is feasible to you and maximises your budget.
No matter what stage of life you are in, purchasing a property should be an enjoyable experience so make the most of it! And remember we are always here to assist with any selling or purchasing enquiries.
