It’s not easy buying a house, and sadly, things aren’t getting any easier for prospective homebuyers. House prices are rising exponentially, making most houses virtually unaffordable for the average Australian worker, especially in large cities. In addition to rising house prices, buyers also have to contend with conveyancer and realtor fees.

If you are fortunate enough to be able to afford a house, then there are some important things that you need to think about. This post will tell you what they are, as well as offer some expert advice that’ll save you money.

Hiring Conveyancer

Let’s make it clear from the outset: You need a conveyancer. There is absolutely no way that you are going to buy or sell a house without one. Conveyancers are lawyers who specialize in the legal components of buying, selling, or even transferring property. However, just because you need a conveyancer, that’s not to say you have to spend a fortune on one. You can find very affordable conveyancing in Brisbane and in other Australian cities and states. A conveyancer will handle all of the legal aspects of your purchase, facilitate the money transfer, and ensure the contracts are all signed correctly.

Home Inspection

In addition to hiring a conveyancer, you might also want to hire a home inspector. When you are buying a house, an inspection needs to be performed so that you can be sure the property’s in liveable condition. A large number of people never perform maintenance or repairs on their properties. This often leads to serious damage occurring, often unbeknownst to homeowners. A home inspector will be able to go through the house you are planning on buying and methodically point out any issues or potential issues. If the house you are buying does have problems, you can reduce your offer or withdraw it altogether.

Shop Around

When you’re looking for a conveyancer, home inspector, and even a realtor, make sure to shop around. A lot of people conduct internet searches and then work with the first company or individual that they find. Doing this can lead to you overspending and hiring somebody who’s simply not fit for the job. Always read reviews and try to find out what a company or individual’s reputation is by asking around in the local community. Use a price comparison site if you can too, so you can save money.

House Hunting

House hunting is an important part of finding your next home. However, it’s also something that can be immensely stressful. People tend to spend every waking minute browsing through property sites when they’re searching for a house. Unless you are under time constraints (because you have to move out of your current property soon, for example) you should give yourself a break. Rushing your house hunting could lead to you choosing a property that’s simply impractical and not right for you and your family. Consider employing a realtor and asking them to help you, if you can afford to.

Involve Partner

If you are buying a house and have a spouse or partner, then make sure that you give them a say too. A lot of people, especially people who’re paying for most of the deposit and mortgage, take control and buy the house they want, rather than the house that they and their partner want. However, when involving your partner make sure that you explain to them the importance of realism. It’s common for people to view house hunting idealistically, searching for houses that are unaffordable or don’t exist outside of their fantasies. It’s okay to have a ‘dream house’ but if you refuse to accept any house other than that, then you probably won’t find a property to buy (unless you have an unlimited budget).

Using Realtor

A professional realtor should be one of your first points of call when you’re searching for a house to buy. The reason for this is that realtors have access to huge catalogs of houses currently for sale, some of which aren’t even listed online yet. You can use property search sites too but remember most of the properties listed on them are old or outdated. A realtor will be able to tell you about all of the latest properties on the market. They will also be able to search for properties according to your requirements, ensuring you get a house that’s right for you and your family.

Negotiating Hard

When you do find a house that you like, negotiate hard. Property prices are up at the moment, but at the same time, very few people are buying. As mentioned in this post’s introduction, average Australian workers are struggling to afford a house, especially in large cities and towns. Because not that many people are buying right now, you can haggle hard, and get a good deal if you’re aggressive enough. One of the advantages of hiring a quality realtor is that they’ll be able to negotiate on your behalf.

Assessing Needs

What are your needs? Your needs are one of the first considerations that you need to make when you are buying a house. Make sure that you write down a comprehensive list of everything you need your new property to have (not want). If you have a large family, then you’ll need a garden, a driveway, lots of storage space, and enough bedrooms. If you are on a budget, then you could have to look for properties in more rural areas, since city properties are achieving record prices at the moment.

Local Connections

If you do have to move to a more rural area, try to find one where you have at least some local connections. Moving to an area where you know nobody is a very bad idea. Not only will you have trouble actually moving house (because you won’t have anybody local to help you) but after you move in, you will be alone. Moving somewhere where you know people will make the process much easier, less stressful, and a lot more comfortable.

If you are buying a house, then you need to do everything you can to make the process less stressful. However, it’s not always easy to take the stress out of buying a house, especially if you’ve never had to buy one before. Don’t worry though, because you can just use the guidance given here to make everything easier for you to deal with.