The number of things to consider when buying or building your first home can be overwhelming. Here are a few important things to be aware of:
• research before you shop around
• check your agent is licensed
• check the terms of contract, especially disclosures
• see if the property has any restrictions
• organise building and pest inspections and
• check the contract has a warning statement as its front page and follow its recommendation to seek an independent valuation and legal advice.
Below, we have compiled a list of resources that can help you become fully informed prior to the buying or building process:
| Site: | Useful Information: |
| Archicentre (www.archicentre.com.au) | Information about architectural/structural issues to consider |
| Building Services Authority (www.bsa.qld.gov.au) | Building inspection license checks |
| Brisbane City Council (www.brisbane.qld.gov.au) | Property searches |
|
| Information about the building industry |
| Master Builders Assocation (www.qmba.com.au) | Pre-Sale Inspection Booklet to guide your through purchasing a home. |
| Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) (www.reiq.com.au) | Fact sheets on the purchasing process |
| The Queensland Government Department of Natural Resources, | Property & title searches; valuations. |
| The Office of Fair Trading (www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au) | Listing of common purchase pitfalls. |
produced by hubonline.com.au |