There are 7 things a home buyer needs to know to be ready to enter the market.

7 things a home buyer needs to know

Here are the top 7 things a home buyer needs to know for buying your first home.

 

1) Bigger deposit, better position

Number one of 7 things a home buyer needs to know is;
Some lenders can offer low-deposit loans for less than 5 percent of the purchase price. While saving around 20 percent can offer you big benefits:
• Access to a wider pool of lenders and products
• You need to borrow less money overall
• It’s a clear sign to potential lenders that you’re good at managing money.

If you’ve saved less than 20 per cent there are lenders who can help, but deposits of that size may require Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). This adds more fees and another layer of assessment of your suitability because LMI providers are separate businesses and often have quite strict rules.

Get a free ‘soft credit score’ online

2) Know your credit rating

Number two of the 7 things a home buyer needs to know is;
Lenders use your credit rating to judge whether your circumstances are suitable for a loan. Some non-bank lenders will review your financial situation as a whole, so your credit rating’s not always the defining factor when you apply for a loan. But it does matter.

Credit scores are closely linked to the success of home loan applications. So. understanding what makes up and affects your credit rating is important for any home buyer.

Get hold of a copy of your personal credit file and review your own credit rating. Including any defaults listed against your name. There can be mistakes on your report – if you pick up on them you can request they get altered.
You can easily get a free ‘soft credit score’ online. You can Google it or check the Australian Government’s Money Smart Website here for quick links.

 

3) Work out what your bottom line looks like

You probably know where you want to buy and how much you want to pay; now it’s time to work out how much you can reasonably borrow.

You’ll need to take the various home loan fees into account, like stamp duty, legal fees or Lender Protection Fees (LPF).

You should also think about your current situation, your income and expenses, any dependents (kids or parents), and any lifestyle changes you can see coming up – like a job change or starting a family. This is where a broker can step you through the process and select the best options for your goals and objectives.

It is important to think about what’s likely to happen in the near future – as well as how it is right now.

 

4) If the home loan doesn’t fit, don’t sign up for it

Number four of 7 things a home buyer needs to know is;
There are more things to consider with a home loan than just the interest rate. There are redraw and offset facilities, refinance costs, repayment flexibility, fixed or variable interest rates, loan terms and fees to consider. Make sure you research the loan options available and examine them all.

 

5) Research, research, research

Did we mention research? Often the difference between a diamond in the rough and a dodgy deal is simply the buyer’s level of market knowledge.

The more you know about the property market and where you want to buy, the better. Look at average prices over the last decade, whether it’s near to shops, schools and transport, potential rental returns, etc.

You want to be sure the area has what you need in terms of both lifestyle now and future growth opportunity.

 

Location

 

6) Potential investment

Number six of the 7 things a home buyer needs to know is;
Speaking of growth opportunity, remember that sometimes the best locations for property growth are not the ‘hot’ suburbs but the suburbs next door. These often provide a cheaper entry point and greater potential for development.

Likewise, a brand new or newly renovated property will generally charge a premium for the look. An existing, lived-in home may not look as pretty, but it can be much better value and let’s you add your own personality to it.

 

7) If you don’t have the finance, don’t make a bid

There’s NO cooling-off period at auctions, once you’ve made an accepted bid that’s it. Buyers without finance approval can find themselves in serious strife if they sign a sale contract.

Stay on the safe side, make sure you hold a letter of finance approval through your broker, from your lender. That way you can negotiate your purchase price without worry.

Also check out ‘How to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Mortgage’ here

If you’re a first home buyer ready to enter the market, keep these hot tips in mind. They can help you be a savvy home buyer.

If you’d like more information talk to us today on 08 71110022 or email

Arthur Panagis
Author, Founder, Wealth Coach and Financial Strategist

B.Bus (Accountant)
Grad Dip (Financial Planning)
Professional Certificate in Self Managed Super Funds
ASX Listed Equities Accreditation
Tax (financial) Advisor

This article is prepared based on general information. It does not take into account individual financial objectives or needs and is not financial product advice.

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