The 3 Landgate searches every buyer should make
The simplest pre-purchase enquiry a buyer can make about a property is to obtain copies of relevant documents (searches) from Landgate. Landgate is the state government’s land information authority and is responsible for maintaining records of land in Western Australia. You can obtain copies of Landgate document for any property in Western Australia, even if you don’t own it.
Buyers: Let’s talk about real estate agents
Like any good sales people, real estate agents work hard to build trust with buyers, and will often invest many hours in identifying properties of interest to you. This is all for the good, so long as you remember that your friendly agent is being paid by the seller – not you – and as such owes his/her client (the seller) a contractual and moral duty to obtain the highest price possible.
Buyers: choose an independent lawyer as your settlement representative
The settlement industry is very competitive and you can save money by shopping around. Some lawyers charge less than settlement agents.
The O&A – what buyers need to know
When you find a property that you want to buy, the seller’s agent will invite you to make a written offer. Agents usually write up offers based on your instructions to them, but if you are contemplating changes to the standard contract provisions we strongly recommend you engage a lawyer to draft the contract.
Buyers: 7 questions to ask the Local Government
Amid the distractions and emotions of the buying process, how do you know what questions to ask? Here are some questions you can ask the local government.
Buyers: 7 questions to ask the real estate agent
Amid the distractions and emotions of the buying process, how do you know what questions to ask?
The 3 keys to success for WA property buyers
Many pitfalls await the unsuspecting property buyer in WA. As a buyer, you must be well-informed and well-prepared in the buying process to ensure your interests are protected. #1 Make enquiries Inform yourself by making thorough enquiries about the property before you sign a contract. #2 Get advice before you sign We recommend you engage […]
Beware, your finance approval may expire after three months
Did you know that finance approvals usually expire after three months? Three months after date of approval, most finance approvals expire and need to be re-approved if the loan is to proceed. This often requires the borrower to restart the loan application and undergo a property valuation, confirmation of income, and other processes necessary to […]
Use your best endeavours to get finance
If you’re a buyer and you made your offer subject to you obtaining finance approval from a bank or lending institution, there’s a few things you should know. The Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA) publishes a standard Contract for the Sale of Land or Strata title by Offer and Acceptance. It set out […]
Risks of buying off-the-plan
What does it mean to buy “off the plan”? Explore our previous article to find out. This article aims to summarise some of the of the risks of buying off the plan. Long complex contract in seller’s favour Off-the-plan contracts are typically long. For built-strata developments the contracts can be as long as 200 or […]