YOUR FIRST HOME. A CLEARER PATH.

Build a realistic buying brief.

Talk to your broker about your budget and likely buying costs.

List the locations, layout and features that matter most to daily life, then separate the essentials from the preferences.

A practical brief makes inspections more useful and helps you compare properties consistently.

Plan the deposit and finance early.

Work with your broker or lender on borrowing capacity, comfortable repayments and the savings you'll need for both the deposit and buying costs.

Track the savings target against your income and existing commitments, and ask which credit and application documents to prepare.

Confirm the conditions and expiry of any pre-approval, then obtain the required final finance approval for the property.

Check the support available for your purchase.

RevenueSA explains South Australia's First Home Owner Grant and first-home buyer stamp duty relief.

A grant and duty relief work differently, so have your eligibility, property type, contract date and application timing checked before including either in your budget.

The Australian Government's 5% Deposit Scheme is a separate pathway through participating lenders, which assess eligibility and the loan application.

Use the current official criteria and your lender's advice for your purchase; the scheme name doesn't establish your borrowing approval or total upfront costs.

Compare the location with everyday life.

Visit shortlisted areas and open homes to compare actual prices, transport, work access, schools and the services you use.

Check relevant planning proposals and compare similar properties, with your own intended use and likely upkeep guiding the shortlist.

If you're buying with someone else, discuss the ownership arrangement with your conveyancer before signing.

Use the inspection to ask better questions.

Look beyond presentation to how the home functions, its condition and its surroundings.

Ask your building inspector about the structure and maintenance, and have your conveyancer review the contract and property documentation.

Check comparable sales before deciding your offer or auction limit.

Prepare for the way the property is being sold.

Private offers and auctions have different steps and conditions.

Your conveyancer can explain the contract, cooling-off position and what needs to happen before you commit.

I can help you search, assess a property and negotiate or bid within your agreed instructions.

Prepare for settlement and moving day.

Confirm settlement funds and dates with your lender and conveyancer, and arrange insurance from the point they advise.

Organise the final inspection, utilities, removalist and key collection around the confirmed settlement arrangements.

General information only, not financial, tax or legal advice; I help with the property search and purchase, while your broker, conveyancer and other qualified advisers confirm the arrangements for your circumstances.