Category: Buyers

‘Short sale’ and ‘foreclosure’ sales explained

When you’re hunting for a property, you may come across a couple of terms that will be unfamiliar to you – the “short sale” and “foreclosure”. What’s the difference, you may ask. Each term refers to a property that’s for sale, but the process of completing a deal is very different. If you find a…
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12 tips for furnishing your living room

One of the great pleasures of buying a new property or renovating an old one is to be able to tap into your imagination and creative spirit to decorate and furnish your dream. If you follow the basic rules of interior design, then you will be more than delighted with your final result. Some of…
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How to buy in a booming market

Sudden increases in property prices, such as the one we’re experiencing right now, is not a new phenomenon in real estate. While sellers might rejoice, buyers face an increasing financial challenge. Breaking into the market for the first time is formidable, and it can be daunting for owners who want to climb the property ladder…
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Breaking down the jargon of ‘under contract’

If you’re currently a first-time buyer, or even you’ve had experience in the real estate market before, you’ll have confronted a few examples of legal-sounding jargon that can be confusing. One term that causes a fair amount of head-scratching is “under contract”. You’ve no doubt have walked or driven past a property that’s been for…
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Nine ways buyers can avoid paying too much

In your hunt for a dream home, most buyers have one question continually running through their heads – “am I going to pay too much?”. When the market is as hot as it is right now, there can be a sense of urgency and even panic that you will miss out.  Mistakes in real estate…
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Five tricks to ease house-hunting stress

There’s no denying that house hunting can be stressful, especially if you’ve already sold your current home and must find a new property before you need to go to the expense of temporary accommodation. The technologies that we use in real estate these days have made it easier than ever to find your dream home.…
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Eight hot tips for buying an older apartment

If you’re seeking an apartment to buy, you have an array of choices in terms of location, height within the building and available amenities, such as an elevator, garden, gym and swimming pool. The foundation of any search is your decision to buy an apartment or condo off-the-plan, purchase in a brand new complex or…
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Seven ways buyers can avoid a bad deal

Sometimes, the realities of trying to buy a property can be harsh. Your dreams can turn to dust when the building inspector’s report reveals the home you’ve fallen in love with is prone to flooding, or has termites, mould, rising damp or rotting foundations.  And now you face a dilemma: do you return to the…
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The true meaning of a contingent sale

You’ve probably noticed the property market has a language of its own. There’s many phrases that are not typical in everyday language. One word to cause confusion is “contingent”. If you’re house-hunting, you may well have seen sale signboards with the word “contingent” plastered across them. So, what does that mean? Well, first, let’s be…
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Six reasons to order a building inspection

Resist the temptation to skip a building inspection when you’re buying a property even if you think other buyers are circling the home that has stolen your heart. It shouldn’t even be a temptation. If you’re even giving this the slightest consideration, stop now and make sure your head rules your heart.  Eliminate emotion –…
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