Category: First Time Buyer

Five ways to find your dream home faster

House-hunting requires time and effort and there’s nothing more exciting than finding your dream home. The best way to fast track this process is to make a list of your priorities before even stepping out the door to go and see a property.  Knowing your “must-haves” and nice-to-haves” helps ensure your agent only shows you…
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How to decorate a studio apartment

If you’re a first-time buyer and single, or just starting your journey as an investor, one style of property that’s likely to suit your budget is a studio apartment.  It’s one of the easiest points of entry into real estate, and there’s always a keen rental market regardless of the prevailing economic circumstances. For a…
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Ready to quit the big smoke?

Many first-home buyers whose plans to buy in the city have been dashed by rising prices and interest rates are turning to regional Australia to climb onto the property ladder. While this isn’t an ideal solution for everyone, first-home buyers should not discount the idea.  Regional centres are growing economically and offer excellent buying opportunities…
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Checking smoke detectors may save your life

It’s an exciting moment when you’re about to sign a contract to buy your dream home; the possibilities for this new chapter in your life will feel limitless. Before walking this path, though, a few serious administrative tasks must be completed. Perhaps one that can be overlooked is checking the smoke alarms on the property.…
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Is your property plan on track, despite rate rises?

It’s a challenging time for upsizers and first-home buyers as they determine if they have enough cash and credit to fulfil their immediate property ambitions. Changing interest rates have made the mortgage and refinancing landscape a moveable feast. Lenders are tending to take more time in assessing applications at the moment as they weigh up…
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Stay alert and you’ll find your dream home

It pays to keep an open mind if you’re considering whether to enter the property market to upgrade your home, downsize or make your first purchase. Fluctuating property values and mortgage costs can make real estate a challenging market to interpret for some buyers. Media reports of exceptional growth in certain cities should always be…
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Top tips for buying an apartment

If you’re looking to buy a property at the moment, the apartment market is proving to be less volatile than detached housing. The latest CoreLogic figures show a 1.4% decline nationally in apartment prices in the three months to the end of July. But if you look at the year-on-year figure, it’s down 0.2% because…
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Upgrading from a rental to buying your own home

The housing market often experiences fluctuations that can affect both renters and potential homebuyers. In some periods, significant increases in rental prices across various cities and regions can create a strong incentive for individuals to consider transitioning from renting to homeownership. Market reports frequently highlight disparities in rental price changes across different locations. Some cities…
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Essential decorating tips for first-home buyers

The exhilaration of buying a first property is unforgettable: your home is full of endless possibilities.  As a first-time owner, you’re likely to want to put your mark on your new home, and that means hitting the furniture stores and redecorating. But, don’t be too hasty because if you rush the process, you also risk…
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Deciphering the quest for a mortgage

Buying property for the first time can deliver many challenges along the way. Finding a lender offering a competitively affordable mortgage is arguably one of the hardest. Home loans are tricky, with many terms and conditions that dictate your monthly financial commitment. If you select the wrong deal, it can cost you thousands of dollars.…
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