Looking to buy a house? To ensure a smooth and successful move, here are some things to tick off your list as you go through the process, from thinking about it to moving in:
- Compare lenders, considering more than just interest rates. Then, once you decide on a lender, obtain pre-approval for a loan
- Inspect lots of properties, taking a "wishlist" with you and making notes to compare the ones you fancy
- When you find a property you are interested in, ask for a contract and refer it to your solicitor or conveyancer to check special conditions etc
- Ask the vendor for details of council and water rates
- Make several visits to the house at different times throughout the day, night and week to check noise and traffic
- Once a date has been set for settlement, arrange power and phone connections, newspaper delivery and all necessary insurance
- Notify your roads and traffic authority, insurers, banks, medical fund, electoral roll, etc of your change of address. Send some eye-catching notes to your friends and relatives telling them you have moved, then get the post office to re-direct other mail for a few months to catch the random, forgotten ones
- Update home contents insurance to protect your personal belongings
- Organise with the selling agent for a final inspection the morning of the settlement to ensure the vendors are moving out and that the inclusions in the contract are there.
