Buying Tips

Buying a home is a big decision. At Whangamata Real Estate we've got all the knowledge, tips and advice to make finding your new home easy.

Our team will help you through every step of the process and direct you to the right people to help ensure you complete all your homework.

Here’s a step by step guide to help get you get started.  There are several steps that you need to go through to purchase a property. People often go through these in different orders.

• Before you even begin looking for a property it’s important you find out exactly how much you can borrow. Talking to a mortgage broker or your bank to get pre-approved can help. Having a clear idea of how much you can borrow will give you a better negotiating position and can speed up documentation.  Factor things like legal fees, moving costs and any furniture and appliance purchases into your house buying budget.  These are easy to budget for but can be a nasty shock if you don’t consider them before you purchase a home.  If you have a property to sell let one of our team come around to appraise your property so you have an idea of the value of your home. 

• Finding the right lawyer before purchasing a property is important. A lawyer is equipped to ensure legal process is followed and check the all-important documentation like LIM (Land Information Memorandums) reports and title checks.

• Make a list of the things you are looking for in a home. Work out what your “musts” are and what your “likes” are keeping in mind affordability and accommodation requirements. Remember people often buy a home slightly different from what they thought they were looking for. 

• You may have your own preferences, whether it’s online, with property magazines or by contacting an agent. Register for Property Alerts with relevant property websites (including whangamatarealestate.co.nz). That way as soon as a property comes on the market matching your criteria you will know about it. You can register for Whangamata Real Estate Property Alerts here.

• Start visiting properties for sale.  Do not hesitate to view a home several times before you are ready to make an offer.

• If you are considering making an offer, we recommend that you contact your Whangamata Real Estate sales consultant who can guide you if you are in any way unsure of the process. After you’ve got sufficient checks done and your solicitor has also checked documentation and you’ve decided conditions of an offer (if any), you can make an offer. This must be done with correct documentation – your agent can help you with this.

• If all parties agree to the terms and the contract agreement has been signed, your offer is accepted. If conditional, any conditions must be met by due date, this is the buyer’s responsibility to meet these conditions. Once your property is declared unconditional most buyers start thinking about the exciting prospect of moving and living in their new home.

• There are still a few things to sort prior to settlement, and your Whangamata Real Estate consultant can help guide you through this. You’ll need to organise things like book a pre-settlement inspection, arrange to meet with your bank and solicitor, organise your move, sort power, phone, internet and of course insurance for settlement day.

• Settlement is the last step in the legal process and is usually tied in to your possession of the property. This is the day when your solicitor will hand over the funds to the seller’s solicitor in exchange for the Transfer of Title, meaning you now have legal ownership of your new home.  Your keys will be held at the Whangamata Real Estate office and we will only release them to you upon written confirmation from the seller’s solicitor that your property has settled.  Congratulations! You’re now a home owner.