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Understanding the Property Buying Process
A new home isn’t just about walls and a roof; it’s a fresh start and a new lifestyle for you and your family. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, understanding the real estate process is key to making informed decisions. We’ve helped hundreds of buyers navigate the property market—here’s what you need to know:
Determine your borrowing capacity and get pre-approved
Conduct thorough property inspections
Determine your borrowing capacity and get pre-approved
Review contracts with a lawyer or conveyancer
Attend auctions or negotiate private sales
Sign documents and pay the deposit
Finalize pre-settlement inspections
Complete the real estate settlement
Celebrate your new home!
What are the advantages of renting a house?
Renting is becoming more popular in Australia, with around 6.3 million people living in the private rental sector, which is reported to be the highest rate since 1960 according to the productivity commission report 2019.
There is also the problem of rising home prices and buyer affordability. Also, not everyone wants to buy a home, bear the burden of a mortgage, or be confined to the same house in the same neighbourhood. They desire the freedom and lifestyle perks that renting may provide.
Positive vs. Negative Cash Flow Properties:
Positive Cash Flow Property
Rent income exceeds ownership costs, providing steady returns.
Negative Cash Flow Property
Expenses exceed rental income, but investors may benefit from tax deductions and long-term capital growth.
Property Market Cycles: Why They Matter
Real estate prices fluctuate based on supply and demand. When demand is high and supply is low, prices increase. When too many properties enter the market, prices and rents may drop. Smart investors anticipate these cycles to buy at the right time.
Choosing the Right Location & Investment Strategy
Location plays a crucial role in property value and investment success. Here’s what to look for:
Key Neighbourhood Features:
- Access to public transport, parks, and schools
- Upcoming infrastructure projects or urban redevelopment
- Safe neighbourhoods with low crime rates
- Proximity to cafes, shopping, and lifestyle amenities
- High rental demand and low vacancy rates
Factors to Consider When Buying:
- Familiarity with the area’s demographics and growth potential
- Low-maintenance properties to minimize ongoing expenses
- Future development plans that could impact property values
- Expected rental returns and capital growth projections
- Strata title implications and associated fees
The Costs of Buying a Property
Purchasing real estate involves various costs beyond the property price. Being aware of these expenses helps you plan your budget effectively.
Common Costs to Consider:
- Stamp duty (varies by state)
- Legal and conveyancing fees
- Loan establishment and mortgage insurance costs
- Building and pest inspections
- Council rates and strata fees
- Moving expenses
Finding & Securing the Right Property
House-hunting takes time, but knowing what to look for makes the process smoother.
How to Conduct Property Research:
- Attend open houses to get a feel for the market
- Speak with real estate agents to gain insights
- Use online property portals for market comparisons
- Inspect properties multiple times before making a decision
- How to Conduct Property Research:
Key Questions to Ask Your Agent:
- How long has the property been on the market?
- Why is the owner selling?
- Have any recent renovations been made?
- Are there any zoning changes or restrictions?
- What are the estimated council rates and strata fees?
Buying Options: Auction, Private Sale & Expressions of Interest
Auction:
- No waiting period—immediate sale outcome
- Transparent pricing based on competitive bidding
- Requires upfront financial preparation
Private Sale:
- Allows for negotiation with the seller
- Buyers may include conditions (e.g., finance approval, inspections)
- Cooling-off period in most cases
Expression of Interest (EOI):
- Buyers submit their best offer by a set deadline
- The seller reviews all offers before making a decision
- Used for high-value or unique properties
Sales Agreement
Legal contract outlining terms of sale
Settlement Planning
Typically takes 6 weeks for buyers to arrange finances
Pre-Settlement Inspection
Ensure the property is in agreed condition
Transfer of Ownership
Legal documentation is completed
House-hunting
It takes time if you are dedicated to locating a fantastic property at the ideal price in the ideal neighbourhood. You can gain valuable information that cannot be obtained from a computer by attending open house inspections, speaking with the agents, strolling around neighbourhoods, and attending auctions.
This not only makes it easier for you to understand what is available and what you like and dislike, but it also guarantees that your understanding of regional markets is broadened.
You’ll acquire excellent intuition for what a home should sell for, ensuring that you make a purchase at a price that is reasonable given the surrounding market.
As you are about to check out properties:
- Maintain a positive outlook because it’s an exciting time.
- Create a list of your desired properties
- Choose the suburbs that you prefer
- Make sure you can afford a property in the suburbs you’ve picked
- Attend many open houses to get a thorough sense of the market
Conducting research before purchasing a home
Make sure you ask these questions from your sales agent
- How long has the house been for sale?
- Why are the owners putting the house up for sale?
- Have the owners recently made any renovations?
- Are the sellers open to bargaining?
- Could you possibly offer a list of recent similar sales?
- How much do council rates cost?
- Does the property have any restrictions?
- Do they know of any upcoming zoning changes?
- Do they accept bids prior to the auction?
- Have any offers been made, and if so, how much?
Additionally, it is crucial that you schedule a professional pest and building inspection as well as a strata report since they reveal problems that are invisible to the human eye. While no property is perfect, being aware of any significant flaws will help you make more informed purchasing decisions.
Of course, the sales contract has to be reviewed by your conveyancer or attorney to make sure it is correct and free of any surprises.
House-hunting
It takes time if you are dedicated to locating a fantastic property at the ideal price in the ideal neighbourhood. You can gain valuable information that cannot be obtained from a computer by attending open house inspections, speaking with the agents, strolling around neighbourhoods, and attending auctions.
This not only makes it easier for you to understand what is available and what you like and dislike, but it also guarantees that your understanding of regional markets is broadened.
You’ll acquire excellent intuition for what a home should sell for, ensuring that you make a purchase at a price that is reasonable given the surrounding market.
As you are about to check out properties:
- Maintain a positive outlook because it’s an exciting time.
- Create a list of your desired properties
- Choose the suburbs that you prefer
- Make sure you can afford a property in the suburbs you’ve picked
- Attend many open houses to get a thorough sense of the market
Conducting research before purchasing a home
Due diligence can protect you from purchasing a house with problems that could end up costing you a lot of money in the future.
The first stage is thoroughly inspecting the property. You may get tips on what to look for when buying a home or apartment from our helpful room-by-room checklists.
Make sure you ask these questions from your sales agent
If you are still new to the home buying process, we recommend that you ask these questions from the local sales agent that you choose. This is essential as the crucial decision of buying a new, convenient home depends on the real estate agent you choose.
- How long has the house been for sale?
- Why are the owners putting the house up for sale?
- Have the owners recently made any renovations?
- Are the sellers open to bargaining?
- Could you possibly offer a list of recent similar sales?
- How much do council rates cost?
- Does the property have any restrictions?
- Do they know of any upcoming zoning changes?
- Do they accept bids prior to the auction?
- Have any offers been made, and if so, how much?
Additionally, it is crucial that you schedule a professional pest and building inspection as well as a strata report since they reveal problems that are invisible to the human eye. While no property is perfect, being aware of any significant flaws will help you make more informed purchasing decisions.
Of course, the sales contract has to be reviewed by your conveyancer or attorney to make sure it is correct and free of any surprises.
What options are there for purchasing a home or unit?
There are a few options for purchasing your ideal house or an investment property, and we’ve highlighted the top three below for you to think about.
Auction
A licensed auctioneer conducts a public sale at an auction where the item is sold to the highest bidder. The vendor and their agent will decide on a reserve price together. They will only accept this as the lowest bid for the property.
The property is “passed in” if the bids fall short of the reserve price, at which point the agent will start negotiations with the top bidder in an effort to reach an agreement on a price. Purchasing a property at an auction has a variety of significant benefits, including the following:
- There is no waiting period, so you obtain a quick result.
- The cost is compared to those paid by other public purchasers.
- Subject to any reserve price, the highest bidder is the winning party.
Private Sale / Treaty
In Australia, this is the most typical method of property purchase. Although the house has a defined asking price, the actual selling price usually differs from the asking price.
The property will be sold after a period of negotiating during which offers are sent back and forth between the seller and the buyer. Are you wondering what benefits do private treaty buyers receive when purchasing a property? So, here they are;
- You may have more time to make a decision, therefore there is less emotion than an auction
- Greater flexibility for negotiation. A contract can be signed subject to certain conditions being met, such as a building inspection, finance approval, repairs to the property etc.
- In most cases, you have a cooling-off period in case your circumstances change
- You do not have to pay for any report until you have signed an agreement to buy the property
- There is more certainty regarding the price than at auction
Tender or Expression of Interest
Buyers are asked to submit their best and last offer to acquire a property by a certain closing date and time during an expression of interest or tender sales campaign.
The seller will next consider the offers after consulting with their agent, as is customary. If a reasonable offer is not made, the property may be sold using a different strategy or another Expression of Interest may be requested.
The costliest or unusual properties are best suited for this technique of sale. If you are not familiar with the benefits of purchasing a property through an expression of interest or tender, here are some;
- By the competitive nature of the offers, reveals the actual worth of the property.
- The deadline instils a sense of urgency.
- The sale’s private nature makes it possible to keep the selling price under wraps.
- Purchasers may covertly submit offers
The settlement of property
Sales agreement
A contract of sale is necessary since purchasing real estate is a legal transaction, protecting both the buyer and the seller. This document includes all pertinent information pertaining to the sale of the property. Subject to any cooling-off time and other conditions, the buyer and seller are obligated to comply with the contract once they have both signed it and exchanged it between them.
Making plans for settlement
The period of time between the Contract of Sale’s execution and settlement day can vary according to the nature of the deal and the property. The average duration, however, is often six weeks, and this period of time gives the purchasers enough time to arrange their money and/or the sellers of the property enough time to fulfil any particular requirements that were mentioned in the contract of sale.
Pre-settlement inspection
The prospective buyer will get a chance to examine the home as settlement day draws near. If you are buying a property and follow this step, you can ensure that nothing suspicious has occurred since you have signed the contract with the seller. It also enables the buyer to verify that any outstanding tasks specified in the contract have been accomplished. And our real estate agent will help you in this process.
Finalising transfer document
The settlement team will check that all contract requirements have been met on settlement day. The sales agent will transfer the deposit that has been kept in trust after receiving authorisation from the buyer’s lender to pay the remaining balance of the purchase money. The legal counsel for the sale will check if all the required bills and dues are paid. The transfer documentation will be completed and sent to the land registration office and if all goes according to plan, the new owner will take the legal ownership of the property.
Sales agreement
A contract of sale is necessary since purchasing real estate is a legal transaction, protecting both the buyer and the seller. This document includes all pertinent information pertaining to the sale of the property. Subject to any cooling-off time and other conditions, the buyer and seller are obligated to comply with the contract once they have both signed it and exchanged it between them.
Making plans for settlement
The period of time between the Contract of Sale’s execution and settlement day can vary according to the nature of the deal and the property. The average duration, however, is often six weeks, and this period of time gives the purchasers enough time to arrange their money and/or the sellers of the property enough time to fulfil any particular requirements that were mentioned in the contract of sale.
Pre-settlement inspection
The prospective buyer will get a chance to examine the home as settlement day draws near. If you are buying a property and follow this step, you can ensure that nothing suspicious has occurred since you have signed the contract with the seller. It also enables the buyer to verify that any outstanding tasks specified in the contract have been accomplished. And our real estate agent will help you in this process.
Finalising transfer document
The settlement team will check that all contract requirements have been met on settlement day. The sales agent will transfer the deposit that has been kept in trust after receiving authorisation from the buyer’s lender to pay the remaining balance of the purchase money. The legal counsel for the sale will check if all the required bills and dues are paid. The transfer documentation will be completed and sent to the land registration office and if all goes according to plan, the new owner will take the legal ownership of the property.
The settlement of property
Once you have made the decision to buy a new home, knowing how to research the market and what to look for in a neighbourhood are key.
Conveyancing and legal fees
Purchasing a house is a legal procedure, therefore it’s crucial to have professionals guide you through the process. They will examine the agreement, discuss amendments, and set up the formal transfer of ownership.
Inspections before purchase
Before you sign the contract, it is strongly advised that you get the property inspected for both building issues and insect problems. It’s crucial to be aware of any structural problems or pests. Get a strata report as well if you are purchasing an apartment.
Stamp duty
It is highly recommended you get both building and pest inspections on the property before you sign the contract. Ensuring you are aware of any structural issues or infestations is important. If you are buying an apartment, you should also get a strata report.
Moving charges
You will need to budget for the price of hiring professional movers to assist you, unless you have a few friends who are ready to offer a hand on moving day. You may either go with the full-service option and have them assist you with packing and unpacking in addition to hiring a truck and movers.
Finding & Securing the Right Property
House-hunting takes time, but knowing what to look for makes the process smoother.
How to Conduct Property Research:
A nationwide programme called the First Property Owner Grant (FHOG) was created to assist first-time homeowners in reducing the impact of the GST while purchasing or constructing a home. It is a one-time payment for qualified first-time homebuyers who buy or construct a house to live in.
Although it is a nationwide programme, the terms differ across the nation since it is sponsored regionally by the state and territorial governments. You can visit their website to learn more about the FHOG in your state or territory or you can talk to one of our Real Alliance real estate agents to get to know more about this grant. But generally speaking, you could be qualified if you are:
- An Australian citizen or permanent resident who has never received the grant previously
- Who is purchasing a new or existing house on their own.
- You intend to use the home as your primary residence.
- You submit your grant application within a year after buying your first home.
Want to Know More
Once you have made the decision to buy a new home, knowing how to research the market and what to look for in a neighbourhood are key.
Know more about home buying process
You can get to know in-depth tips from our sales team on how to look for, locate, and negotiate or bid successfully on a property. This guide is your go-to source for efficiently buying a home.
First selling, then buying
Knowing how much your present property is really worth and how to increase its worth can help you understand how much you can afford to spend on your future home.
Start your property search
There is a house for every lifestyle among the many properties we have up for sale. You can talk to one of our agents to get help finding the right property for you to call home.
Our checklists for open for inspection
Simply cross out the various aspects as you walk around the house to gain a full understanding of whether or not this is the right property for you. Never show up unprepared for a house inspection.
Don’t hesitate to contact our property experts for your inquiries and more information
Whether you’re buying, selling, or managing, Real Alliance is here to help. Contact us today and experience real estate with a difference.