Buying a Shire Property
Shire pride themselves on professional, prompt courteous service to all our customers.
Whether it's your first home, or you've been through the process many times, you'll be pleasantly surprised at Shire's understanding and guidance.
Choose from the links above to view our listings for either the Central Coast or Hills District or contact us to discuss your needs.
Tips on Buying
- FINANCE - Speak with your financier to establish how much you can afford to spend on a property. Arrange pre-approval of your finance.
- VALUE FOR MONEY - Drive by some properties with For Sale signs in the areas you think you would like to buy to get a feel for the general pricing and accommodation offered in properties in that area.
- RESEARCH - Ask agents for prices/addresses of recent sales and keep a close eye on the pictorial home magazines for homes on the market that may suit your requirements.
- REQUIREMENTS - Make a list of the features you would like in your new property - the 'Must Haves' and 'Nice to Haves'.
- MAKE AN APPOINTMENT - When you feel ready to purchase a property, make an appointment with a Shire Agent in the area you are looking to purchase. They will be able to advise you of new properties before they are advertised and also offer additional advice.
- When you find a property that suits your requirements, obtain a copy of the contract and determine what you propose to offer the owner.
- SECURE THE PROPERTY - Be proactive - sign the Contract to secure the property and take it off the market. You will have to pay 0.25% of the sale price of the property, which is not refundable, if you decide not to proceed with the sale. Some consider this as an "insurance policy", securing the property you want to purchase. This is the only way to officially take the property off the market.
- COOLING OFF PERIOD - You then have 5 business days, called a "Cooling Off Period" to undertake pest and building inspections, confirm finance, and allow your solicitor time to review the contract.
- Once the 5 business days have lapsed, the contract is unconditional. At that time, you will be required to pay the balance of the 10% deposit by 5pm on the fifth business day. Your deposit will be held in a trust account until settlement day, and if both parties have requested that the deposit be invested, any interest earned on the money usually split equally between the vendor and purchaser.
- The period between exchange and settlement is usually 6 to 8 weeks. Make the most of this time preparing for the move. You may wish to immediately arrange building insurance and book a removalist. Once your moving day is confirmed, you can arrange several things in advance - building contents insurance, connection of phone, power, water, gas, as well as advising your change of address to Australia Post for mail redirection, RTA, electoral roll, other insurers etc.
- Your solicitor will advise you when the Stamp Duty is payable (usually prior to Settlement).
- You may wish to have a PRE-SETTLEMENT INSPECTION of the property prior to settlement day. You can arrange this through your Agent to ensure that the property is in the same condition as when you last inspected the property. You should also check that all the inclusions nominated on the contract are intact.
- SETTLEMENT - Your solicitor/conveyancer/financier will arrange the final disbursement of all money to finalise the purchase of your new home.
- The Agent will provide you with the keys to your new home.
- MOVE IN and start to enjoy your new home!