Thinking about where you would like to live opens up so many exciting
possibilities. There is so much to consider. Distance from work is
obviously an important factor. Then there are schools, shops and other
local amenities to be considered. You might prefer a bustling
neighbourhood with lots of cafes and street life, a quiet leafy suburb,
a country town, or a rural life.
Once you have decided on a location, you need to decide what style of
home you want to live in. If your dream home is not immediately
achievable, you may consider compromising. By doing this, you can at
least get into the market and ride any capital gain while continuing to
search for your ideal property.
Spending all weekend looking though houses can be a daunting task when
you are not sure of what you are looking for. The best approach is to
know what you want before you start, and make a record of each house
you look at.
When inspecting a house, take our
Home Inspection Checklist (PDF, 34kb)
with you to record the parts of the house that you like as well as
dislike. It also gives you tips on what to look for, like checking the
water pressure.
If you decide to arrange a professional inspection, the inspector will
examine the house, checking for structural stability, subsiding floors,
guttering and plumbing problems, and any unusual faults. The inspection
will take between two and four hours and you will be provided with an
inspection report outlining any problems and the likely repair costs.
You can also seek advice on any planned extensions you may have.
For more information on professional inspections visit
Archicentre.
You should know everything you can about the property. A declaration
known as the Contract of Sale has the information that you should be
aware of when looking at the property. This declaration is applicable
in all states, however it is called the Vendors Statement or Section 32
in Victoria.
The Contract of Sale (Section 32) will be available upon request. If the
information is incorrect, the purchaser may be able to get out of the
contract. It should contain:
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a copy of the land title
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what the property can be used for
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details of any existing debts on the property
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council and water rates and any body corporate contributions
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building permits and agreements for any extensions or renovations.
It’s so easy... select the State or Territory you would like to search
from the dropdown box, then click search.
To get an idea of the prices properties are selling for in the suburb of
your choice, select the State or Territory from the dropdown box, then
click search.
You can also search for a local real estate agent in your area.
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