Structure Your Search
Do your homework and prepare a short list of your preferred suburbs or areas that suit your lifestyle and budget. The internet is a great place to start your research as you can find out about everything from local schools to transport options to council building regulations (see our useful links page for some useful places to start).
Do The Legwork
Once you have targeted a few areas and done your online research it is time to get out and look at properties in person. Try to inspect every property in your budget as well as those a little bit cheaper and a little more expensive and make sure you attend any auctions that coincide with your searching (you can find our open house times here). This will help you get a good grasp on the current market values. Don't be nervous about talking to our agents and make sure you have given us your requirements (either in person at an open for inspection or through our website) so we can alert you to any new listings that you may be interested in.
Due Diligence
When you find the property of your dreams it is important to do your due diligence – have your solicitor or conveyancer look at a copy of the contract of sale, we recommend you organise a pest/building inspection and/or strata report as appropriate and make sure your finance is in place so you can put down a deposit and settle on the property in the required time period. If the property is being sold at auction then it is worth reading NSW Fair Trading's Bidders Guide to familiarise yourself with the process.
You should then be ready to negotiate or bid for your chosen property and with a bit of luck you will be the successful buyer. The agent handling the sale and/or your solicitor/conveyancer will be able to guide you through the exchange and settlement process.
