Before choosing a property
- Budget. Add up your deposit, purchase expenses and realistic household repayments.
- Prepare your finance. Gather income, expense and debt information. Check the conditions and expiry of any pre-approval.
- Engage a lawyer or conveyancer. Have someone ready to review documents before you offer or bid.
When a property looks right
- Investigate the property. Review the title, property information and building condition and check insurance.
- Arrange the offer. Agree a price, dates and any conditions with your lawyer’s help. For an auction, finish the relevant checks before bidding.
- Confirm finance and conditions. Your lender will need to accept the property. Discuss outstanding conditions with your lawyer before authorising an unconditional commitment.
From agreement to ownership
- Prepare to settle. Your lender and lawyer arrange loan documents and funds. Check insurance, dates and the pre-settlement inspection.
- Settlement and handover. Your lawyer confirms when settlement is complete and when the keys can be released. Keep repayment dates and any fixed-rate expiry in your calendar.