Your due diligence checklist on what to do when buying a house in QLD and how to avoid the potential Hiccups!

Buying a house in QLD whether it may be the first time or not, may seem daunting. However it doesn’t have to be. By following these 8 simple tips, you can make the process simple and successful!

• Get Pre-Approval. Speak to your bank manager or broker and get your pre-approval for finance in place before you make an offer on a home. Doing this first will avoid heartache and also help with securing your position in the negotiation process.  Sellers will take a buyer’s offer much more seriously if their finance is pre-approved and they are in a position to buy.

• Searching Online.  The major real estate directories are a great place to start looking for properties. Realestate.com.au and domain.com.au will have most of the homes listed for sale in your area. Both web pages allow you to filter your search by features, location and price bracket so you can eliminate homes that are not suitable or in your budget.

• Give Feedback at Open Homes. When you attend open homes, don’t be afraid to let the agent know whether the home is suitable for you or not and be sure to tell them exactly what your requirements are. This way, the agent will know where you stand in relation to that property and can help find something that is more suitable to your budget and requirements. Nothing restricts an agent from helping you find the right home, than not knowing where you’re at in terms of interest.

• Become a VIP to your Agent. A good agent will add you to their VIP Buyers List. This allows them to easily notify you of any new listings that become available within your budget, sometimes even prior to advertising. These are generally buyers who are ready to purchase if the right home is found and will be in the fore mind of the agent.  (If you would like to be put on our VIP Buyers List, please tell us here.)

• Avoid Regret. Don’t be afraid if you find your dream home early in the process. Just because you’ve found something you love early in the search, it doesn’t necessarily mean there is better out there. Ask any home owner who has missed out on a property by delaying their decision – regret will haunt you forever.

• Engage a Conveyancer or Solicitor. You can ask your preferred agent for any recommendations. Engage a solicitor or conveyancer to read over the contract before you sign.  To avoid any hidden costs, request a Fixed Price Quote before any work is completed.

• Navigating a Building & Pest Inspection. Your preferred agent can also offer recommendations for a local, reliable company to book in a building & pest inspection at your property of interest. If issues arise in the property, try not to be put off by really minor issues as there is no such thing as a perfect home. However, it is very important to consider major issues carefully as these can be expensive to rectify – your solicitor / conveyancer will guide you through this process.

• Book a Pre-Settlement Inspection. Pre-settlement Inspections are not mandatory, but we highly recommend that you arrange to do this with your agent to ensure nothing has changed before settlement is finalised. It is a good idea to ensure the power is on, so that you can check that all appliances and electrical points are in good working order.

If you follow these simple steps when buying a house in QLD, you will help to make your buying process much less stressful!

If you are currently in the market to buy, we invite you to browse our current listings. One of them just may be the perfect home for you!

For further helpful information on Buying a Home in Qld click here.