10 things to look out for when buying a property that have nothing to do with the house itself.

Buying a property is a big investment, for many, it’s the most significant asset they will own.  Whether you’re looking for your dream home or an investment property, there are a few key things to look out for when inspecting potential properties that have little to do with the house itself:

1.       School zoning.  You may be years away from having children or may not ever plan on having any, either way, school zoning is a BIG deal and can substantially increase the value of your property.  If you’re looking at buying a property in a highly sought after school zone, you may need to be prepared to spend extra. 

2.       Check other zoning too.  School zones aren’t the only things worth checking when you’re looking for a property.  It is also worth checking other things such as planning applications, zoning and overlays to floodways, cultural heritage and even burglary statistics.  Websites such as Landchecker can be used to find out key information. 

3.       Knock down/re-builds.  If you’re planning on a knock-down, rebuild, ensure you research the heritage overlays or any key covenants that may affect how, where or with what you build.

4.       Your local council.  Research your local council website and research what the council offers to the community.  Visiting some public services such as local parks, libraries and aquatic centres etc. also gives you a feel for how your chosen local council supports the local community. 

5.       Large local developments.  While researching your local council you should also check for any large developments that have been approved. 

6.       Local community groups.  Research your local community groups.   Most areas now have a community Facebook Group that you can join to get a feel for the issues facing people in your chosen local area across a large range of topics.   

7.       Easy access to important amenities.  Research how close are the nearest shops, hospitals, restaurants, train stations or bus stops are, could the kids get to school easily?  Test out the local cafes.  These can all have an impact on both your lifestyle and the value of your property.

8.       Access to friends, family and all the things you love.  If spending time with friends and family is important to you, check out how far your prospective new suburb is from all the important people in your life.  If you love golf or surfing but are you close enough to a golf course or beach.  If you’re too far from the people and things you love, it may impact on your lifestyle, your sense of belonging and your overall level of happiness.

9.       Commute to work.  For many of us, the commute to work can be a significant part of our day and if it is too far, it can eat into your down time very quickly.  Ensuring your potential new home is not too far from work is also an important consideration as the time and cost of commuting can add up quickly.

10.   Visit at different times.  Many open for inspections are scheduled for weekends or at night which are quieter than weekdays.  It is worth checking out your desired property and surrounds on different days of the week and times of the day to get a true feel for what it is like.

If you’re a first home buyer, I’ve created a useful guide to help you understand key aspects of buying your first home.

I can also help you obtain a free property report to help you understand the value of the property you are interested in.

Remember, a critical aspect to your success is securing your finance and obtaining pre-approval.  To obtain pre-approval, get in touch today.