Real Estate Agent in Castlemaine
Real Estate Agent in Castlemaine
Prepare a wish list
Make a list of the attributes you most desire in a property, including your ‘must have’ features, such as location, number of bedrooms or land size.
Organise your finance in advance
Loan pre-approval is a big advantage. Approach your lender or have a mortgage broker visit you to find out how much you’ll be able to borrow and what your repayments will be so you know how much you have to spend. Having your finances organised gives you more chance of securing a purchase and is an asset when negotiating with vendors. If you’re bidding at auction, make sure you have adequate funds in your cheque account to pay the deposit.
For local advice:
Tony Height
Mobile: 0437 410 4120
www.investorloansnetwork.com.au
Email: tony@investorloansnetwork.com.au
John Scarborough
Mobile: 0416 316 167
www.allantax.com.au
Email: john@allantax.com.au
Organise your solicitor or conveyancer
Make life easier by having a conveyancer or solicitor that you can engage as soon as you take out a contract on a property. If you don’t know of one, ask us and we can recommend a local contact for your consideration.
For local advice:
- Griffin Conveyancing : (03) 5472 5452
- Hal C Curwen-Walker: Barrister & solicitor: (03) 5470 5910
- LMSW: Solicitors: (03) 54721588
Additional expenses
While your lender will identify upfront costs such as mortgage insurance and stamp duty, you should also be aware of other expenses which will factor into your ongoing costs. Maintenance costs, land tax, council rates, home insurance and strata fees (if applicable) should all be investigated so that you know just how much to budget for on top of your mortgage repayments.
Do your research
Invest the time in inspecting as many properties as possible. This will give you a better understanding of the market, put you in a better position to negotiate, and help you recognise a bargain or an overpriced property.
Sign up to Property Alert services
Our agency, like most agencies and all of the major property search sites such as realestateview.com.au, domain.com.au and realestate.com.au have ‘property alert’ facilities. Simply enter your details and your property requirements and you’ll be emailed as soon as a property meeting your criteria is listed. This helps give you a jump on the market and saves considerable time.
Pest and building inspections
For the few hundred dollars these will set you back, they are absolutely worth it for your peace of mind. They will help ensure you don’t end up with unknown problems which could cost you thousands down the track.
For local advice:
Central Victorian House Inspection Services - Garry Whitfort mob: 0418 367 644
Pre Purchase House Inspections - Steve Keith: 1300 551636
Natural Pest Control - Kim Odgers: 1800 067711
Pre-settlement inspection
Visit the property on the day of settlement to be sure there are no surprises. Be absolutely positive that the property was left exactly as you had agreed upon in the contract.