December 16, 2013
Mortgage Choice spokesperson Jessica Darnbrough offers a few pointers to help those looking to purchase a home or investment property over the festive season and into the New Year
Trying to find and purchase your dream home is not an easy task. That task is made even harder when you are trying to get your property purchase sorted in your summer holiday, over the festive period.
But while house hunting during the Christmas and New Year period can be a stressful experience, it may also be a great time to get the ball rolling on your next property purchase.
Indeed, over the festive period, there tends to be a drop off in buying activity, meaning there are less buyers actively on the hunt for a property. With less competition, you may just be able to find and successfully buy your dream home. Moreover, with interest rates continuing to hover around record lows, now really is a good time to jump into the property market.
Here are five tips to help you enjoy a stress-free home buying experience:
Identify your property needs: Write down a list of features that the property must have including the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you require, whether you need a covered garage for your vintage car or perhaps a generous backyard for your Golden Retriever. Once you know exactly what you are looking for, you can narrow down the list of homes you wish to inspect. Don't visit properties that don't meet most of your requirements – unless you are willing to spend big on renovations.
Make the most of property inspections: If you visit six different properties in the space of two hours, chances are the homes will blend into one by the end of the day. Take photos of the different properties you visit, write notes on the features you loved and hated, and always take the brochures being offered by real estate agents.
Define your monetary limits: See a mortgage broker to get an idea of the maximum amount you can spend on your new property. If your limit is $600,000, stick to it. Don't get caught up in the excitement of an auction and bid beyond your means – this will lead to additional financial pressures for the term of your mortgage.
Prepare and regularly update a budget: Identify your income and monthly expenses in a budget. The difference between your net income and outgoing expenses should be more than your expected mortgage repayments. Don't forget to account for things like utility bills, rates and home and contents insurance. Remember to update your budget regularly to identify areas of overspend and areas where you can save money.
Research your home loan options: There are a range of factors to consider when comparing home loans. Consider engaging a home loan specialist such as a mortgage broker to help navigate all the options available to you. A mortgage broker will be able to help you understand your borrowing limits, compare interest rates and features and identify the home loan that best suits you and your needs both now and in the future.
Armed with these tips, you may just be able to find the right property for you this festive season. And, given the current state of the property market, now really is a good time to buy. For more information on your home loan options and borrowing capacity, visit Facebook.com/MortgageChoice or Twitter.com/MortgageChoice. Or, call 13 77 62.
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Lauren Booke
Mortgage Choice Corporate Affairs
(02) 8907 0502 / 0448 240 047
Lauren.booke@mortgagechoice.com.au
Amity Harrold
PPR
(02) 9818 9334 / 0434 975 868
Amity.harrold@ppr.com.au
Important information
This article is for general information purposes only. It has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should, before acting on the advice, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances.
