Category: First Time Buyer

18 questions to ask a mortgage broker

Competition between traditional banks home lenders for your business continues to be fierce even in these economic times. The challenge is to understand all the products available and which ones would best suit your circumstances. Home buyers are increasingly looking to mortgage brokers to help them navigate this complex environment, although banks continue to offer…
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Why it pays to think like an investor when buying your first home

When you’re buying your first home, you’re taking your first step on the property ladder which can set up your wealth for life. It makes sense, therefore, to think strategically to maximize the value of your investment. As a first home buyer, you should begin with the end in mind – that is, consider your…
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10 tips for when the property you love is passed in at auction

After missing out at several auctions, you’ve finally found the home of your dreams, and despite being the highest bidder, it has passed in. What happens next? Here’s how to win the day.   Knowledge is power. It’s essential that you have researched the market and know of properties similar to this one that have sold…
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9 tips for checking an off-the-plan contract

Buying off-the-plan offers you a great opportunity to make a profit from real estate but is always a calculated risk. With a development planned, or in the midst of construction, you’ll can sometimes gain an advantageous price compared with completed buildings, and a 10% deposit gets you in the market quickly. If property values are…
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Six basic rules for buying off the plan

The upside of buying an off-the-plan townhouse or apartment should be competitive pricing that you’ll receive compared with similar properties that have already been built, plus the fact that your property is brand new. Your biggest challenge is to commit to a purchase based on a scale model, artist’s impressions and floor plan rather than…
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Three smart ways into the property market

Three forms of investing in real estate that don’t require the outright purchase of a property, or offer a unique twist on ownership, are becoming increasingly popular. Rentvesting is an option increasingly favoured by young buyers, who buy and rent-out one property in a market they can afford, and then rent a different property in…
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What happens when the property you bid on at auction passes in?

When a property fails to sell at auction it is described as “passed in”. But what does that really mean, especially if you are interested in buying the property?  A passed in property is one that has not been able to achieve a bid at auction that either met or exceeded the reserve.  When this…
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Three smart ways into the property market

Three forms of investing in real estate that don’t require the outright purchase of a property, or offer a unique twist on ownership, are becoming increasingly popular. Rentvesting is an option increasingly favoured by young buyers, who buy and rent-out one property in a market they can afford, and then rent a different property in…
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10 smart tips for buying a condo

Condo shopping can be a lot of fun but it’s risky without a plan. And it can be even harder if you’re considering buying new where you can’t actually see the finished product yet. Smart buyers consider each property with a clear vision for what they want, and they will not compromise until they’ve found…
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7 tips to negotiate the purchase of your dream home

You’ve found your ideal home, and now you’re wondering how to express your interest without sounding as if money’s no object. There’s an art to negotiation in the property business. For inexperienced buyers, it’s easy to forget there are likely other parties at the table. You can offer low, stay low and bluff but, like…
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