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1. Be aware of your financial situation. Speak with your financial advisor or a home loan consultant to arrange the best loan to suit your needs. Should you like us to recommend a company to perform these services we would be happy to help.
2. Identify your preferred list of areas to move to. In so doing you should consider such factors as affordability, accommodation requirements and lifestyle.
3. Conduct preliminary research into your preferred suburbs. The Altus web-site contains suburb profiles for most areas. We also offer updated information on our own properties via our E-mail alerts and Buyer’s Bulletin, and a comprehensive view of what is currently on the market via our Home Open Reports. Simply contact Altus to find out how we can help you with these services.
4. Conduct reconnaissance research into your suburbs. Our research indicates that most people view between 14-20 homes before they are ready to make a decision about buying a home. This “leg-work” will help you to make an informed and therefore decisive decision you when you find the home that you are looking for. If you would like assistance with this process, please contact us.
5. Develop a relationship with an Altus Property Consultant specialising in your preferred area(s). The agent will be able to offer additional advice and also alert you to new listings before they reach the media.
6. When you find a property that suits your requirements, ask your Altus Property Consultant to represent you in the transaction. Our consultants are constantly striving to improve their negotiation and contract skills. Given that you are about to make one of the biggest investments in your lifetime we recommend that you have a specialist to represent your interests.
7. Altus recommends that you include a building and pest inspection as part of your Offer and Acceptance contract, particularly if you are purchasing a home that is more than a few years old. Should you like us to recommend companies to perform these services we would be happy to help.
8. Identify a Settlement Agent. A good settlement agent will prove invaluable in the sales-to-settlement process. Should you like us to recommend companies to perform these services we would be happy to help.
9. Once your offer has been accepted you will be required to forward a deposit to a designated Trust (usually the listing agent’s) account, usually within five working days of that offer. Although there is no set figure as to the amount of deposit that you should forward, a figure of 10% is common in the western suburbs.
10. In the week prior to settlement day, you will be entitled to preliminary inspection of the property that you have purchased. The purpose of this viewing is to ensure that the property is as was viewed at the time of contract and that any stipulations that you may have made as part of the contract (for example, a window repaired) have been attended to.
11. On settlement day your settlement agent will be responsible for the transfer of title from the previous owners to yourselves. For an unoccupied property keys to your new property are available immediately on settlement. For an occupied property, keys are available at 12pm on the day after settlement. Move in and enjoy your new home. You deserve to!
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