When it comes to buying a house, one size does not fit all, so your first step should be to list your needs and wants. Consider your future - family plans, pets, entertaining space, or special features that are important to you.
This is where a skilled real estate salesperson becomes an invaluable asset. A good salesperson does far more than unlock doors - they take the time to truly understand your lifestyle, priorities, and deal-breakers. With access to in-depth market data and neighbourhood knowledge, they can provide insights you won’t find on online listings alone, like resale potential, upcoming developments, or subtle issues with a property that may not be immediately visible.
Once they understand your goals in terms of budget, location and style of house, they become your advocate. They will navigate negotiations, manage paperwork, coordinate inspections, and protect your interests every step of the way. They can often spot red flags early and help you avoid costly mistakes, while also identifying opportunities you might not have considered, giving you the best chance of finding the right property for you.
One of the biggest questions homebuyers face is whether to sell their current property before buying a new one. The right choice depends on your financial situation, market conditions, and your comfort with risk.
Selling First gives you clarity on your budget and removes the pressure of two mortgages. It can also put you in a stronger position when making an offer on your next home, especially in a competitive market. The downside? You may need temporary housing if you don’t find your next home right away.
Buying First can make sense if you’ve found your dream home and don’t want to miss out. It allows for a smoother move without the need for interim housing. However, it comes with financial risk, if your current home takes longer to sell than expected.
Working with a real estate professional will help you weigh your options, assess local market timing, and create a strategy to minimises stress and maximises value.
In New Zealand, real estate salespeople act on behalf of the vendor. However, if you've got a property to sell, a good salesperson will be more than willing to help you negotiate the purchase of your new home as well.
Real Estate trends are constantly changing, with supply and demand, economic factors, politics, population growth, and even seasons having an impact. Understanding the current market is key and timing is very important as this can dictate whether it's a buyer's market or seller's market.
A buyer's market tends to have an imbalance, with more properties on the market than buyers. Properties take longer to sell, prices are stable but can fall and are dictated by the buyers.
A seller’s market mean there are more buyers than properties available for sale. This creates strong demand, giving sellers the advantage, pushing prices up, and speeding up time to sell.
Understanding current market conditions helps you time your move strategically, whether you're buying, selling, or both. A salesperson who is knowledgeable about the local market can provide valuable insights to guide your decision.
Few people can afford to buy a home without borrowing money, so it's important to get your finances are in order to be prepared for everything that's involved.
Buying a home comes with extra costs:
Loan application & valuation fees
Legal costs
Mortgage & home insurance
Moving expenses
Building inspections
LIM/PIM reports
Other incidentals
Consider working with a mortgage broker. Their services are free and they can help you to find the best loan for your needs, and guide you through the application process.
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There are several ways of buying property including, auction, sale by tender, sale by advertised price and by negotiation. It's important to understand what each of these mean and how they work so that you're prepared to work with whichever method your dream home comes with!
Auction
The sale of a property by a bidding process on a given day. Properties usually have a reserve (minimum) price and if a bid doesn’t reach this minimum the property is "passed in". If it does not reach the reserve price, it is still to your advantage to be the highest bidder so you have the first right to negotiate with the seller.
Tender
Involves potential purchasers placing confidential bids for a property by a specific date. The bids may or may not include conditions and any bid can be accepted or rejected by the owner.
Sale by advertised price
This is a property that is advertised with a set price. This method of sale still allows the buyer to negotiate on price.
Sale by negotiation
A buyer make an offer based on what they believe a property is worth. The seller can then negotiate with you on price through the agent.
A salesperson will be able to guide you through each of these and ensure you don't miss key information that might affect your success in a sale.
Negotiating with the seller is a normal part of the buying process. When you're ready to make an offer, your salesperson will prepare a Sale and Purchase (or Offer and Acceptance) contract. This legal document authorises the sale and outlines the conditions of the transaction.
A conditional offer has specific requirements for purchase, such as securing finance or completing certain work. The sale is not complete until these conditions have been satisfied and the offer can be rejected if the seller is not happy with the conditions.
An unconditional offer has no requirements for purchase, meaning the sale proceeds as soon as the seller accepts. Auction bids are generally unconditional unless otherwise agreed beforehand.
Once your offer is accepted, your lawyer will review the title and prepare any necessary documents. Your salesperson will guide you through the paperwork and help coordinate steps like the pre-settlement inspection.
In a nutshell, this should have given you a better idea key considerations in the buying process. Navigating this in reality is where working with a salesperson will make all the difference. Our teams know their areas like the back of their hand, and they are ready to use their wealth of knowledge to make the buying process an easy and enjoyable one. Let the Professionals help you out.
