Top 5 home buying do’s and don’ts [Infographic]

What should you definitely include on your ‘to-do’ list when buying a property and what mistakes should you try to avoid? The infographic below lists our top five ‘do’s and don’ts’ related to buying a home.

Unpacking the 5 Do’s

1. You’ll see the first ‘do’ in the infographic relates to affordability: find out what type of property can you actually afford before you start house hunting. You can use our affordability calculator to get a better idea of this amount.Calculate your affordability>
2. Next up: do get a credit check to find out your credit score and see if you can improve it (if necessary) before applying for a home loan. Not sure why you need to do this? Find out here.
3. Find out what documentation you need when applying for a home loan or putting in an offer on a home; having this ready will speed up the process.
4. Do get a professional in to inspect the home you are thinking of buying as this could save you from investing in a property that is structurally unsound.
5. Lastly, use our Homes4Me app for more tips on getting a home loan or for important information on buying your first home.

Unpacking the 5 Don’ts

1. 1. Don’t forget to find out about the monthly costs of owning a home. All these expenses add up and should influence your final decision about the property you’re going to buy.
   2. Impulse buying is a definite ‘no-no’. Don’t put in an offer to purchase before you’ve done your homework – including getting that all-important home inspection done and finding out everything you need to know about the neighbourhood and monthly rates.
   3. The property you’re looking at may come replete with the nicest finishes and best décor on the block, but this doesn’t mean it’s the best property for you to buy. Remember, it’s actually the land underneath the building that has the most value, and even the seemingly least attractive of houses can be transformed into the house of your dreams.
   4. Buying a home can seem an overly complicated, legal process, but don’t let this put you off. Take it one step at a time and get in touch with us for some expert assistance.
   5. Lastly, don’t put off getting into the property market for too long – the time will never be 100 percent right, and, like most things, you often just need to take the plunge to reap the benefits.