Buying property - checklist

Make sure you have:

worked out your budget
if you plan to buy at auction, arranged a pre-approved loan. You cannot make the contract of sale subject to finance without the vendor's agreement if you buy at auction
selected your preferred suburb/location
worked out what features you want in a property (for example, number and size of bedrooms). If you are considering a flat, apartment or unit, you should also refer to our Buying an apartment or unit checklist
inspected similar properties in the area and checked sale results in newspapers and online to find out how much they sold for
understood the differences between a private sale and an auction
considered whether to engage expert assistance such as a buyer's advocate, estate agent, conveyancer or legal practitioner
established if the property requires a building inspection. If buying at auction, make sure you get the inspection report before the auction, as you cannot put conditions on the contract of sale at an auction without the vendor's agreement
worked out if you need to make the purchase subject to a building inspection for a private sale
worked out if property require a pest inspection. If so, make sure you get the results before auction, as you cannot put conditions on the contract of sale at an auction without the vendor's agreement
your legal practitioner or conveyancer check the section 32 vendor’s statement and the contract of sale
developed a strategy for bidding at auction or for making an offer for a private sale
knowledge about your cooling-off rights
asked the agent about any items that appear to be fixtures of the property but could instead be items (personal chattels), which the seller may remove at settlement
organised your deposit, so you can pay when required by the agent
checked all items you believe come with the property are in good working order and stated on the contract of sale
checked those items on final inspection
purchased a kit if you decide to do your own conveyancing.