Finding a home

• Decide what sort of areas you're interested in and check them out
• Make a list of everything you'd like in a home
• Try and work out a simple budget, at least get an idea of your costs
• Gather together details about your income, expenses and savings
• Talk to your lender about your plans/Find out what you can afford
• Ask about getting a pre-approved loan
• Get a feel for the market - read the papers, talk with several agents.
• Find a good lawyer early on, phone for several quotes
• Look at, at least 10 homes-and 'score' them

Before making your offer

• Register your interest early if the place is being sold by auction or tender
• Talk with your lender again, double check the conditions needed in your offer
• Do a thorough checklist of the property-use the checklist in this guide
• Ask the agent as many questions as you can
• Talk with the council about the property and the area
• Try to estimate the value/ask the agent about recent sales and price trends

Once your offer is accepted

• Pay a deposit on the property to the real estate agent
• Phone your lawyer and tell them of your contract & agent
• Arrange with lawyer to make new will
• Arrange with lawyer to make enduring power of attorney and advanced health directive
• Decide what sort of home loan mix you'd like
• Organise building and pest consultant's
• Arrange insurance for the home, including contents
• Make a time with the lawyer to sign the mortgage papers
• Make a time with the bank to sign your loan papers
• Set up any new bank accounts and automatic authorities needed
• Consider life insurance, trauma cover and income protection insurance

At settlement time

• Arrange for the money you're paying yourself to be ready on settlement day
• Do a pre-settlement inspection of the property, on the day prior
• Pay your share of the purchase money to the Lawyer
• On settlement day check with your lawyer that they will immediately after settlement organize the agent by fax to release the keys
• After settlement check the statement and papers your lawyer send you

Arranging the move

1. Give your landlords agent notice
2. Organise cleaning contractor
3. Apply to get you bond back
4. Get quotes from several moving companies
5. Check insurance for the move
6. Arrange a moving in time with the out going owners
7. Contact power, gas, phone and television companies
8. Redirect your mail and send change of address cards.

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