28/03/2026
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆
Buying your first home is an exciting milestone. For many Australians, it means years of saving and planning before entering the property market.
However, focusing too much on deposits, borrowing capacity, and finding the right home can lead buyers to miss other key factors. These details may seem small at first, but they can greatly affect your finances and lifestyle after the purchase.
If you’re getting ready to buy your first property, here are some important points to consider before making an offer.
𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲
Many first home buyers mainly consider the property’s purchase price and their loan repayments. While these are crucial, the costs of owning a home go far beyond the mortgage.
Additional expenses can include council rates, insurance, maintenance, and repairs. If the property is in a strata complex, ongoing strata levies may also apply.
Knowing these costs before you buy can help keep your budget comfortable once you move in.
𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
The property itself is just part of the picture. Location plays a major role in your lifestyle and the long-term value of your home.
Factors like access to public transport, proximity to schools, job centres, local amenities, and future infrastructure can affect demand and price growth over time.
While it’s tempting to focus solely on the property features, researching the surrounding area can help you make a better-informed decision.
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗦𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆
When buying your first home, it’s easy to focus on current needs. But consider how the property might meet your needs in the future.
Changes in jobs, family situations, or lifestyle can influence how well a property serves you over time. Thinking about whether the home allows for future changes can help avoid moving again sooner than expected.
𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆
Another common mistake is waiting too long to arrange financing.
Getting loan pre-approval before you start your property search can clarify your borrowing capacity and streamline the buying process once you find a suitable place.
It also boosts your confidence in negotiations or offers, as you’ll know what you can comfortably afford.
One of the first steps for first home buyers is to speak with a mortgage broker. We can assess your situation and help you compare your options.