We understand how important it is to own your own home. That’s why we build homes that are top-quality, yet affordable, so first home buyers have as much opportunity as anyone else to enter the property market. While it’s exciting to embark on the process of buying your own home, it pays to be fully informed. Here are 8 helpful tips to help you start your buying journey with confidence.

8 STEPS TO OWNING YOUR OWN HOME

1. What’s your budget? Set your top price, including your 10% deposit. It can pay to speak with your bank, a financial advisor, or mortgage broker to help you work out how much you can borrow and obtain pre-approval before you start house-hunting.
2. Set your criteria. Think through what you want in your new home before you start viewing properties. How many bedrooms or bathrooms do you need, allowing for possible future growth if you’re a young family. Do you want a garden or a courtyard? If you make your list before you start viewing you’re less likely to be swayed by emotions.
3. View potential homes. Put together your list of possible homes to view, then get in early to give yourself the best possible advantage.
4. Reserve your home. Once you’ve found a home you’d like to buy, it can pay to take it off the market for 10 days. All you need do is pay a non-refundable reservation administration fee – usually $500. The property sales team can confirm this for you.
5. Finalise your contract. Send the contract to your solicitor to review, then sign the agreement with them. Once this is done, you have 10 days to pay the balance of your 10% deposit.
6. Construction gets underway. Enjoy the journey as your new home build progresses. We will be in touch regularly to keep you updated.
7. Pre-settlement inspection. When your new home build is complete you’ll then conduct a pre-settlement inspect to make sure you’re happy with the end result. We’re sure you’ll love it! Assuming so, can you then let your solicitors know to go ahead with settlement.
8. Settlement. Once settlement is arranged, the balance of the purchase price is transferred. All you need do is collect your keys and move into your brand new Guardian home!

ABOUT THE QUEENSLAND FIRST HOME OWNERS GRANT (FHOG)

The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) scheme was introduced by the Australian government in July 2000 to offset the effect of GST on home ownership. It is a national scheme funded and administered by each state.

Under the scheme, a one-off grant is payable to first home owners that satisfy all the eligibility criteria.

In Queensland, the FHOG offers $15,000 to first home buyers buying or building a new home. It’s available for properties valued at less than $750,000. The grant is paid per home, not to each of the applicants for the same home.

Here are the eligibility criteria:

• You must be at least 18 years of age.
• You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident (or applying with someone who is).
• You or your spouse must not have previously owned property in Australia that you lived in.
• You must be buying or building a brand new home.
• The value of the home including the land is less than $750,000.
• You must move into the new home as your principal place of residence within 1 year of the completed transaction and live there continuously for 6 months.

More detailed information is available here:http://www.firsthome.gov.au/

Other helpful links: SAVINGS GOALS CALCULATOR | BUDGET PLANNER

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