Buying your first home
There's lots involved in buying your first home. We give you access to the right tools and support to help you start your first home buying journey.
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3 must do steps to prepare for buying a house
Doing research and preparing to shop around is an important part of securing a dream home. Here's three must-do steps to help prepare yourself.
Feel like you know this week’s real estate guide back to front? If so, you’re on the right track. Doing your research and preparing yourself to shop around is an important part of securing your dream home. Here's three must-do steps to prepare yourself:
1. Find out what you can afford
Before you do anything it's a good idea to find out how much you can afford. Online tools such as our home loan calculator can help you estimate the total cost of purchasing a house and what your repayments could be. For a more accurate estimate it's best to talk to one of our lending specialists, who will take you through our home loan products, to help you find the best loan for your situation. A lending specialist can also organise a home loan pre-approval, to help you shop with more confidence.
2. Understand what you want
Understand and continue to remind yourself of what you are actually looking for. Are there things you can compromise on and things you absolutely need? Keeping a list will be a great reference point for you – especially if you decide to make an offer and enter into a negotiation.
3. Research the market
What’s happening in the area you’re looking at buying in – what’s sold, for what price and how long did it take to sell. This will help you to know if you’re walking into a bargain or if there’s potential for you to negotiate a better price based on market trends. Sign up for real estate alerts and get friendly with local agents – be honest with them as this will set you up for an effective relationship with the agent.
Did you know our lending specialists can put together a Heritage Bank Property Report on a property you are interested in? The report includes information such as previous sales, area details and recent sales in the area. Drop into your nearest branch or phone 13 14 22 and let us help you today.
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Costs associated with buying a property
Aside from the purchase price, there are a number of other costs associated with buying a property. Here's 8 costs to consider.
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How much money can I borrow?
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The First Home Owners Grant
Find out if you qualify for help to purchase your first home with a First Home Owner Grant.
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How to Use the First Home Super Saver Scheme
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The home loan application process
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4 things you need to buy a house
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What is LVR?
Learn more about Loan to Value Ratio (LVR), how it’s calculated and what effect it can have on your mortgage.
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The banking jargon you need to know
From direct debits to lenders mortgage insurance and offset accounts, there’s lots of jargon you’ll come across when reviewing your banking or looking for a home loan.
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What is an offset account?
Front and centre of saving both money and years off your home loan is having an offset account.
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Buying property at auction in Queensland
Buying property at auction in Queensland differs from other states. Find out what you should consider doing before attending an auction in Queensland.
Are you ready to buy a house?
Got all your ducks in a row? This handy infographic takes you through four things you'll have if you are ready to buy a house.
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6 things every first home buyer needs to do
Buying your first home is a huge undertaking. Here's 6 things every first home buyer should do.
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Buying your first house as a young person
Buying a house as a young person often means buying your first home and with that comes lots of things you’ll need to consider.
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3 must do steps to prepare for buying a house
Doing research and preparing to shop around is an important part of securing a dream home. Here's three must-do steps to help prepare yourself.
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Change of address checklist
Moving house? Here's a printable checklist of places you might need to consider changing your address with.
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What to look out for at an open house from a tradie
While the inspections carried out by the professionals will give you thorough information when buying a property, there are things you can do at an open house inspection that might help you decide whether it's a property you want to buy. Guest blogger and Plumber, Bec Senyard shares her top 9 things to look at when inspecting an open house.
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What is a cooling-off period?
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3 stylist tips to maximise the sale price of your home
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How Much Does It Cost To Build A House?
Building a house can be an expensive and daunting task. Don’t get caught short.
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What is a construction loan?
If you’re building a house rather than purchasing an established property, you’ll want to investigate construction loans.
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Upgrading Your Home: Moving vs Renovating
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Attending an auction can be scary, but with these strategies you’ll be itching to stand front and centre.
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The Sunset Clause in QLD: What You Need to Know
If you’re thinking about buying off the plan, be sure to look out for any sunset clauses in the contract. But what is a sunset clause and how could it impact on your purchase?
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Selling property? Preparation is key
Every seller wants to get the best price possible for their property. If you are serious about selling your home and generating buyer interest there are two key areas you need to look at.
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What to do in the final 10 minutes before your open house
You've spent weeks, maybe even months, preparing for your house to be on the market - you've touched up paint, improved lawns and spent hours removing scuff marks. Here's what to do in the final 10 minutes before your house is open to the public.
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Selling property? Two easy traps to keep clear of
If you are serious about selling your home here's two key areas you need to research, understand and act on to ensure your home becomes somebody else’s home as soon as possible.
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How to help parents downsize
Helping a parent to downsize from the famaily home is an emotion-charged experience. Guest blogger and Psychologist Ellen Jackson shares four tips to help make the process easier.
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Buying property with friends: How do you save the relationship
Pooling your dollars with parents. siblings or friends to get a foothold in the housing market can allow you to split purchase costs and spread the repayment load. Guest writer, Ellen Jackson from Potential Psychology takes us through her top tips to reap the upside of property co-ownership without ruining the relationship.
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Building equity in your property
Having equity in your home means the difference between the value of your property and how much you owe on it. Check out the ways you could build equity in your property and how you might consider using your equity.
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3 ways to add value to your home before selling
There are many quick and easy ways to add value to your home – from giving your digs a lick of paint to replacing tired tap ware. Here's 3 ways to consider adding value to your home.
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Home buyer brain storm
Use our printable home buyer brainstorm sheet to help get your thoughts onto paper.
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Buying property off the plan
A boom in approved units, townhouses and apartments across the country could be seen as a good thing for Aussie home buyers, who may benefit from increased affordability and the option to purchase off the plan.
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How to negotiate like a pro
So, you’ve found a property you love and want to make an offer. Here's four inside tips on how to negotiate like a pro.
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Housing clichés which ring true
Some clichés are worth taking seriously when choosing a suburb and selecting a home.
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