Why are you buying this home?
Is this a home for you to live in, or an investment? The answer will influence many of the choices you make down the track. If it’s a home for you to live in, you’ll need to consider how your family’s needs may change over the years.
How much do you want to spend?
This is an important decision to make early on, as it will guide the decisions you make along the way. You need to consider the long-term value of your home, the asset you will be acquiring, and the positive change that a new home could make to your lifestyle.
When determining your budget, there are two key factors:
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1. Your borrowing ability
This is determined by your savings, the equity you have in an existing property, your income and your existing financial commitments.
To find out your specific borrowing capacity, we recommend you speak to a mortgage provider. If interested, one of our New Home Consultants can arrange for you to meet one of our partner finance experts.
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2. The cost of your property
This is determined by the type of property you choose. If building a new home, you need to account for the purchase price of the home and land, plus stamp duty.
Depending on how you finance your purchase, you may also have additional costs such as mortgage insurance or bridging finance. Plus, don’t forget to consider the cost of a removalist, furnishings, utility connections and perhaps rent, whilst your new home is being built.
Where do you want your home to be?
If this is a home for you to live in, then proximity to friends and family, schools, transport or community facilities may be important considerations. If your property is for investment, you might want to consider the rental return of the area or its capital growth. Proximity to shops, transport and education facilities can also be important too in attracting renters.
When do you want to move in, or purchase?
Deciding when to purchase can be influenced by a whole range of factors:
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An imminent change in circumstances - such as a new job in a new location, or a baby on the way.
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The size of your deposit - and whether you are in a good financial position to buy.
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Whether or not you need to sell an existing property.
For those considering an investment, the state of the current economic climate can also be an important consideration. However, the type of economic conditions that are best for you will depend on what you are looking for out of your investment. The best thing to do is to talk to your accountant or financial adviser, who will be able to guide you.
Who should you approach for advice?
When it comes to buying a new home, it’s important to do as much research as possible – so as to discover what your options are, what’s available in different areas, and how much you can expect to pay.
Good sources can be:
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Family and friends - who can share their personal stories and knowledge of locations and facilities in certain areas.
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Industry experts - who can provide professional insights, knowledge and expertise. A visit to a local display centre or estate agent can be invaluable.
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Media - including the property lift-out in the paper and real estate websites, as well as builder and developer websites.
What are the ways to buy or build?
Which type of purchase option suits you the best?
When it comes to buying a home, there are several different ways to go about it - depending on your financial situation, the location you’re interested in, the size of your family, and your unique lifestyle.
You can generally choose from one of the following options:
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Building a new home
This option allows you to build the home you want, the way you want. By building a new home, you also shouldn’t have to worry about maintenance costs for a long time to come.
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Buying land upon which to build
Land in Australia is a valuable asset, and being able to choose the location, aspect and amenities that match your lifestyle provides you with a great deal of flexibility.
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Buying an Express Address home
An Express Address home offers the convenience of a new home that you can enjoy sooner. All the decisions are made for you, the house comes complete with things like driveways, paths and fences, and you can often move straight in with minimal delay.
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Buying a new home, townhome or apartment in a masterplanned community
With this option, your new home comes with all the extras provided, and it’s part of a considered streetscape and community. You know what you get in your property – and what to expect next door, and down the street. Community facilities such as pools and gyms can also add to the lifestyle element of your new property.
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Buying established real estate
This gives you plenty of options to choose from, with a wide range of budget options and types of homes available.
Once you have considered the above,
if building your own home is for you, we would like to help make it as easy and as straightforward as possible. To that end, we have prepared this handy Guide to Home Building.
Why choose Sekisui House?
When you decide to build a new home, it’s important to find a building partner you can trust. Sekisui House has built over two million quality homes over the past 50 years, and is now a major player in the Australian market, offering a wide range of new home choices across the country. From home building to land, to housing and apartment developments, our designs have been collaboratively developed by both Australian and Japanese designers. This unique approach has allowed us to take the very best of Japanese expertise and technology and adapt it to Australian tastes, lifestyle needs and climates.