Buyer Information

Finding a property you like

Congratulations! After all your hard work and perseverance you have found a property that you want to make your home. There are still a few steps to go through before it finally becomes your home so its important that you read more about what is involved in this section.

You might want to consider utilising the services of a solicitor/conveyancer at this stage.

Buying a House

How do you make an offer on a property that you’d like to buy? When should you pay a deposit? What is the difference between an auction and a private treaty sale?

This section focuses on some of the things you need to consider when you are ready to show a genuine expression of interest in a property. You’ll need to liaise with a few people at this stage, such as your home loan provider to make sure your finances are in order, the real estate agent selling the property and your solicitor/conveyancer.

Buying a House at Auction

An auction is when prospective buyers come together and bid on a property, with the highest bidder being successful, subject to the bid exceeding the sellers reserve price. Auctions can be very emotional, and it is important not to get swept away by the exciting atmosphere and offer more than you can afford.

Legal Matters

Once you have exchanged contracts you can breathe a sigh of relief and congratulate yourself on your new purchase!

Conveyancing is the next step in the buying process – which is the process where a property is transferred from one party to another. This is usually done via one of three ways: a solicitor, a conveyancer or by the purchaser via a do-it-yourself (DIY) conveyancing kit.

Planning your move

The contracts have been signed and the property you have purchased is about to become your home. Now you’re ready to move from one home to the other. This section looks at how you can find a removalist, or what to consider if you decide to move yourself. You will also read about the option of insuring your possessions during your move and most importantly, letting people know your new address!

Moving home

Moving to a new home is a huge logistical exercise, but with proper planning you can reduce some of the stress involved. Once you have exchanged contracts you should start planning the logistics of the move.

Moving insurance

Consider whether you need to take out insurance for your furniture and other household items while they are in transit from your old property to your new property. If using a removalist, ask about the level of coverage that you will receive and the cost. Insurance normally covers the cost of any damage or destruction of your property during the moving process, although you should carefully read the insurance policy to find out exactly what is covered. You may also want to check that it covers theft.

Notifying services

Australia Post can redirect mail from your old address to your new address for a specified period of time.

Simply complete and lodge an application to redirect mail in person at any Australia Post outlet. Then when you receive your redirected mail you will be reminded as to which companies you still need to notify about your address change.