What to look for when buying your first home

What to look for when buying your first home

If you’re interested in getting into the property market then no doubt you are aware of the First Home Owners Grant. Until 31 December 2017, this grant will be raised from $10,000 to $15,000 for new homes up to the value of $750,000.

The threshold is raised even higher, to $1m, for new homes in the 26th parallel.

While this will obviously bring a big boost to first-home buyer’s figures, the Housing Affordability Report recently revealed that Western Australia already has the largest percentage of first homeowners in the owner-occupier market in the country (Good on us!).

These figures clearly suggest that our market is more affordable for first homeowners and is just another reason why 2017 is the perfect time to jump into the property market.

So, if you’re buying your first home and looking for some tips, then you’re on the right page.

Today, I’ll give you some idea of what to look for when buying your first home. You can thank me by purchasing any home building products that you may need from us at Ross’s Discount Home Centre.

1. Location, Location, Location

The first and foremost thing to consider when buying your first home is that it lies in a suitable location. Consider your personal requirements and choose something close to your workplace, family, friends, and places you frequently visit.

Another point to remember is that the neighbourhood will affect your property value. Your property value will increase if you have a school district in your neighbourhood. So, make sure to study the neighbourhood in detail before signing a contract.

2. Pay close attention to structural details

It’s important to pay close attention to a home’s structural details before signing a contract. If the house has been previously renovated, make sure professionals did it. Stay away from any homes that have had dodge ‘add-ons’ or renovations added.

Before buying your first home, it is vital that you get a professional inspection done. A house may look great, but it may suffer from many hidden issues that you may not be aware of. Issues such as pests, structural damage or rising damps can cost you dearly in the future. By getting a home inspected professionally, you can spot these before signing on the dotted line.

Also, look at the property’s exterior and landscaping carefully. Updating the exterior and landscaping will add unnecessary costs you want to avoid when buying your first home. Rather, look for a home with the landscaping and amenities you need.

3. Consider your changing needs

Once you’ve found a home in the perfect location with all the amenities you want, there is just one more thing to consider: your changing needs. Over time, your life will change, and your home must be able to accommodate all these changes.

For instance, you may want to extend your home to include an extra room or a bathroom. If you plan to have kids, you may want to increase space to allow them to play and grow.

Now, predicting every changing need you encounter may not be possible. As such, when buying your first home, ensure it has more than enough space than you currently need.

 

There you have it. Everything you need to consider before you buy your first time. For more information, I recommend you take a look at the WA Department of Commerce’s page about Buying a property. Here, you’ll find lots of useful information about buying a house in WA.

And, of course, once you buy your new home, you may need to do some renovations. If that’s the case, then Ross’s Discount Home Centre is the place to go for all your renovation needs.

We’re a one-stop shop to offer all types of home-building products under one roof. Ranging from tiles, bathroom, kitchen cabinets, laundry cabinets, appliances, doors and windows, tapware and much more, we offer it all!

 

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Conclusion:

Before buying your first home, you must consider a few things carefully. The most important thing to consider is that your new home lies in a location suitable for your needs. Next, you should pay close attention to the structural details of a home. Finally, you should always choose a home that can accommodate the changing needs in your life.

And, for any home renovation products that you may need, look no further than Ross’s Discount Home Centre. Shop online or drop by our showroom in Guildford for superior-grade home renovation products.