Melbourne has traditionally been the place where most Australians settle down and call home – after all, it’s the capital city of Victoria! It also happens to be one of the fastest-growing cities in Australia, with population growth rates at 3% per annum. The downside however is that this rapid growth has led to an increase in prices; hence why people are now looking outside of Melbourne’s CBD for more affordable housing options.
And when it comes to home buying, you just need to be savvy about who you trust when looking for help.
Real Estate Agent
When it comes to buying a house, most people will turn to a real estate agent for help. After all, they are the professionals when it comes to property – or are they? Real estate agents do have a lot of knowledge about the market and what’s available, but their main goal is to make money for themselves. So don’t be surprised if they recommend houses that are more expensive than you’re willing to pay, or steer you away from properties that may be good deals.
It’s always best to do your own research into the market, and find out what’s available before you even go and see a real estate agent. That way, you’ll already have an idea of what you want and how much you’re willing to spend – and you can then take this information to the agent to see if they can find something within your budget.
Legal Conveyancer
When it comes to buying a house, you may also want to consider hiring a legal conveyancer. A legal conveyancer is someone who will help you to purchase a property by preparing and checking all of the documentation related to the sale. If you’re looking for a property in Richmond then hiring a Richmond conveyancer can help you to make sure that the sale contract is correct and that there are no hidden clauses that could end up costing you more money in the long run. Legal documents, such as the Transfer of Land Act and the Torrens Title Register, can be very complex and difficult to understand – so it’s always best to have an expert on hand to help you out.
They can also help to speed up the process of buying a property, as they will already be familiar with all the paperwork involved.
Mortgage Loan Officer
If you’re looking to buy a property in Melbourne, then you’ll need to take out a mortgage loan. A mortgage loan officer is someone who can help you to find the best mortgage deal for your needs. They will assess your financial situation and recommend a loan that is right for you.
They can also help to negotiate the terms of the loan with the lender and make sure that everything is in order before the loan is finalized.
It’s important to remember that not all mortgage loan officers are created equal – some are more experienced than others, and some may have connections with certain lenders that could benefit you. They also charge a fee for their services, so make sure to ask for a quote before you decide to work with them.
Building Inspector
Building inspectors are another group of professionals who you may turn to when looking to buy a house. They inspect the property and give you a report on its condition, highlighting any potential problems with the property that you need to be aware of.
While building inspectors are impartial and will give you an honest assessment of the property, their reports can be expensive – often costing several hundred dollars. And if there are any major problems with the property, you may have to spend even more money fixing them up. So it’s important to weigh up the cost of the inspector’s report against the cost of repairing any damage that may be found.
Property Manager
Another option when looking to buy a house is to hire a property manager. A property manager will help you to find and secure a rental property, as well as manage all of the day-to-day aspects of living in it (such as repairs, maintenance, and rent collection).
However, property managers typically charge a percentage of the rent to do this – so be prepared to pay extra each month on top of your rent! And, again, make sure you do your own research into the market before meeting with a property manager so that you have an idea of what you’re after.
So, who can you trust when looking to buy a house in Melbourne? The answer, as always, is that it depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re after expert advice and guidance, then real estate agents and conveyancers are the best people to go to.
However, if you’re happy doing your own research and just need someone to help you with the paperwork, then building inspectors or legal conveyancers may be a better option.