Real Estate

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You feel it in your fingers, you feel it in your toes: The property market is humming. As the construction of new homes keeps on moving up across the country, more and more homes are likely to become available in your area.

But how do you know if you’re actually ready to buy? Let’s take a look at the five things you need to know before you take the plunge and buy that home – are you prepared to make a move?

Key indicators

Ready or Not?

You feel it in your fingers, you feel it in your toes: The property market is humming. As the construction of new homes keeps on moving up across the country, more and more homes are likely to become available in your area. Whether it’s a calm three bedroom villa in a leafy outer suburb or a townhouse near the hustle and bustle of the big city, or even a country homestead with an acre or two, the options are all around you.

But how do you know if you’re actually ready to buy? We’ve dealt with a lot of people purchasing property in our time, and think these are some of the key indicators that you are truly ready to take the plunge.

You’ve got the deposit

In this day and age, it’s pretty difficult to walk up to the bank and get a 100 per cent home loan – you have to bring something to the table. Saving up for the deposit on a first home is the crucial first step to knowing you’re in a good place to buy. It gives you the leverage to secure a better deal, and means you can avoid extra costs such as lenders mortgage insurance. Save so you can spend!

Your Credit Rating is Positive

If you’ve taken out a credit card, opened a power bill in your name at a flat or signed up for a mobile phone plan, you’ll have a credit rating. Whether it’s good or bad depends on your payment! When you take out credit in any form, you should make sure you stay on top of your payments. This ensures that you come out with a good credit score, which puts you in good stead with mortgage lenders.

If you find that you have a bad credit rating, it may take some credit repair to get back on track. Challenging incorrect listings and getting on the path to good credit behaviour are two ways to improve your standing. Tree Removal and Trimming

You Know the Market

If your finances are in order, you’re starting to look ship-shape for a property purchase. However, that’s only the first step! You have to know the market. Can you tell a buyers’ market from a sellers’ one? Have you researched where hot spots are, and what your capital gains could be? Are there parks and shops nearby?

Understanding where you want to buy is crucial. Reports like the Commonwealth Bank Home Buyers Index identify where extreme buying and selling markets are, but for tailored advice you can also contact a local agent.

You Understand the Commitment

Remember – when you buy a home, you’re in it for the long term. Typical home loans last up to 30 years, so it’s a big stretch over which you should plan out your payments. Of course, interest rates and your financial situation will change over time, so there may be opportunities to refinance, change loan terms or even leverage your home into a new purchase. But it’s all with an eye on the long-term. Make sure you understand what you’re getting into and are prepared!

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You Know it’s What you Want

We’re often told the Australian dream is owning your own house, with two and a half kids and a red door and big backyard. But times change, and with it, so do our tastes. Nowadays, lots of people prefer to own an apartment, or a more compact house close to the city. You don’t have to subscribe to what you’re told is the right type of property, because one size doesn’t fit all!

When you find the one you want, you’ll feel it in your bones. If you know exactly what you want, have the funds to get it, and understand the process, we’d say you’re ready to move forward and buy!

Not so long ago there was a belief that it was better to invest in a house or duplex rather than an apartment. The reason being the value of the investment was perceived to be in the land, so investors focused on buying houses where the land value would appreciate for years to come. However, with the rapidly increasing population, a growing trend of people preferring to live in apartments close to infrastructure and offering great facilities, plus the high cost of buying real estate, apartments are increasing in popularity and proving to be a high performing investment choice.

Here’s a deep dive into some of the key benefits of buying an apartment and some points to consider when making your selection. Tree Removal and Trimming

Affordability

Apartments offer an affordable entry point for first time investors. The lower outlay means fewer risks and more investment choices. It also gives investors who are cashed up the opportunity to buy multiple apartments, enabling them to create a diversified portfolio and spread their risk.

Housing’s expanding population

More Americans than ever are choosing to live in an apartment, whether out of preference, convenience or for other reasons. Over the past 25 years, the number of occupied apartments in America has increased by 78% according to the most recent census. A trend more prevalent in urban areas within America’s major capital cities.

Additionally, the ABS projects that the number of people living alone will increase significantly over the next decade from 1.8 million in 2001 to between 2.8m and 3.7m by 2026. People living alone are actively choosing to live in apartments. Why, because they are often close to urban centres (which is where they want to live) they offer facilities they could not afford in a house and in many instances provide a sense of community and belonging.

Apartments are also popular for a wide range for buyers – for first time buyers, downsizers and other investors. So when it’s time to sell your investment, your buying audience is broader, giving you more opportunity to appeal to the mass market which creates competition for your property and drives the price higher.

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Building management

Another advantage of owning a unit is that everyone shares the cost of building repairs, maintenance and building insurance. Keep in mind the more facilities and amenities your building has the higher the fees. But with this also comes greater potential for higher future value and the opportunity to increase your rent.

Top tips for buying an apartment as an investment

Expert tips

Real estate expert Andrew Winter, suggests choosing an apartment in an area where the unit features something unique to what houses in the area offers, such as water views, closer proximity to the station or other amenities*.

He also stresses the importance of choosing the right location, “Apartment living in outer suburban locations and rural areas is just not the norm. When something is not normal in the housing market it is often not sought by buyers” or renters for that matter. Inner city and urban locations are preferable for renters and future buyers and he believes should be considered as the preferable option by investors.

Be aware of the fees

Once a seller hands their property over, you immediately inherit all of the attached council and strata fees.

Strata fees cover the property’s grouped maintenance and building insurance fees and are collected by the building’s owners’ or manager. These fees are ongoing costs that will continue to absorb your finances, generally quarterly, even after your initial property purchase payment, so it’s important to incorporate these into your ongoing budget.

Understand the ratio of renters vs owner occupiers

The more central a building is the more popular it will be with the rental market and as an investor this can be positive. However, if the whole block is rental stock, it can affect demand. Tenants have more choice putting the power in their hands to negotiate on the price. Try and find out the ratio of renters to owner occupiers.

Orientation

Property experts agree that buyers should look for an apartment with light, views and practicality. In addition to that Andrew Winter suggests buyers “avoid units with no outlook or those that look on to air conditioning condensers or a solid brick wall” if you own a property like this expect the price to allow for this negative as many buyers won’t consider this aspect no matter how cheap.

What level is best?

Experts also suggest not paying a huge premium for apartments on higher floor in high rise buildings. Many renters and future buyers don’t like being over the 5th or 6th floor. Whilst young professionals may love a view from up high – they may not love being blown away every time they step outside.

If you’re looking at an apartment in a quieter suburb, your tenants will most likely be young families or empty nesters. These tenants often look for easily accessible but safe, smaller apartment blocks with a unit of the first two floors.

Outside space

Property expert Andrew Winter suggests that whenever possible you should buy an apartment with a balcony or terrace and ideally ensure it is big enough to put a table and 2 chairs. It offers a huge bonus to the people who live there and makes your property more popular for renters and buyers down the track.

Apartments are becoming increasingly popular in Australia and if you’re careful with your investment selection and pay the right price they are very popular with renters and can pay dividends in the future when you go to sell. Realtors learn Lead Generation

There is a whole generation of people leaving home or migrating to Australia who are looking at apartment living as their preferred choice. Buying an apartment as an investment is as safe as houses – if you buy the right one.