With beautiful beaches, excellent schools, proximity to the city, and availability of childcare services, the Sutherland Shire is an attractive area for buyers looking to purchase a family home.
People born and raised in the Shire typically enjoy the lifestyle and often return to raise their families here, even if they lived away for a while.
Couples and young families who live in the inner-city of Sydney also often relocate to the Sutherland Shire when purchasing a home in the city becomes unaffordable.
All of these factors can make buying in the Shire very competitive!
Use these tips below to ensure you’re purchasing a house that ticks all the boxes for you and your family and feels like home!
Visit open homes
The first step is to get out and about on the weekend to attend inspections. Look through properties on the market to get an idea of what is on offer and also what prices are being achieved at auction.
Understand additional costs
Beyond the deposit and stamp duty, there are lesser-known costs to consider, like conducting building and pest inspections, conveyancing fees, and disbursements. This can add up if you look at bidding for several homes!
HOT TIP! Use the Housing NSW Guide to home purchase costs to determine (link) what these might look like for you.
Cash in on Government grants
You are doing yourself a disservice if you don’t do this! These schemes change regularly, but the Government will always introduce replacement offers. Do your research and keep your eye on the Services NSW website to research what you may receive.
Take charge of your finances
Shopping around without knowing what is within your price range is a recipe for wasting time and can lead to disappointment. Once you have a rough idea of the costs involved and what grants you can get, you’ll want to secure (at least) pre-approval for a home loan.
If you haven’t bought a property before, involving a mortgage broker to secure the best deal may save you time and money.
Also, the Moneysmart Website features budget and mortgage calculators you can use to get an idea of your finances and borrowing power.
Connect with a conveyancer
Connecting with a conveyancer or solicitor who can help you navigate the buying and settlement process is crucial. There are so many steps involved! Check out the Fair Trading NSW website for a complete outline of the role of a conveyancer/solicitor in the property purchase process. Trust us, you don’t want to take this on alone!
Location, location, location
This is when the old saying, “the worst house on the best street,” comes into play!
Team Etchells has expert knowledge about the Sutherland Shire. We can give you more information about the community feel of specific neighbourhoods and services within particular suburbs that you might be interested in.
Be first on the scene
Want to be the first to know about newly available properties for sale? Call us, and we can put your name down for off-market opportunities and property alerts that meet your criteria. There are sometimes sellers who are eager for a quick sale. You can take advantage of this by being the first to view and make an offer.
Visit more than once
Viewing a home more than once helps you see things you might have missed and shows how serious you are about a property.
If you happen to be viewing outside standard inspection times, to suit your working hours, parenting needs, etc., you might inadvertently meet the seller. Putting a face to your name can help your cause if the seller comes down to choosing between your young family and a developer.
Inspect thoroughly
Don’t be put off by how many other people might be viewing a property. Take the Homebuyer’s Checklist along to prevent forgetting things. When staring at a nicely styled home, you’ll be surprised at the details that may escape your attention!
Request a copy of the contract
This is a great way to notify the selling agent that you are interested and will ensure you are not left behind should negotiations develop. Importantly, it outlines all terms of the sale.
You might also want to consider sharing the contract with your conveyancer or solicitor so they can highlight any potential problems with the purchase. The costs of doing this can add up, so we recommend only sharing a contract with your conveyancer if you are serious about buying a property.
Seek building and pest inspections
These assessments are essential for determining that the property you plan to buy is structurally sound. Again, report costs can add up, so only have inspections conducted for properties you are seriously considering purchasing.
For more help finding the best home in the Sutherland Shire for your family, contact Team Etchells … we are ready and willing to help you find your new dream home.
Donna Etchells - McGrath Estate Agents 