Buying a house or a property is an important decision.
1. You need to discuss with your family and seek their opinion. If it's not for your family, then you need to discuss with other stakeholders. If you are the sole beneficiary, you still need to seek advice from professionals or people who can guide.
2. Do some mathematics how much funds are required for purchasing the property.
3. How much deposits you can afford, including all your savings and kiwisaver.
4. Assess your need to borrow money from bank/financial institutions, private borrowing like your family or friends who can afford to lend.
5. If you need to borrow money from bank or FI, it's better to talk to a mortgage broker. Mortgage broker can give you professional advice about your loan repayment ability, documentation, bank mortgage rates. Mortgage brokers are usually reliable because their reputation will be at stake if they advice unprofessionally. It's also good to go to a broker for financial assessment, because your information will not be recorded with any financial institution, hence your credit rating will not be affected.
5. Arrange a pre-approval of mortgage loan.
6. Once the loan is pre-approved, contact a real estate agent to find a property. Real Estate agents can offer you professional help in this regard.
7. Decide and finalise your requirements in the house e.g number of bedrooms, bathrooms, lounge etc.
8. Discuss your needs with your real estate agent.
9. Once you find a property, which fulfil most of your requirements, don't hesitate to sign a Sale and Purchase Agreement with standard conditions.
10. Remember, signing a conditional Sale and Purchase Agreement does not bind you to purchase the property. You can change your mind, until it is conditional. However, once you fulfilled all your conditions and signed the unconditional Sale and Purchase Agreement, now you are under contract and legally bound to purchase the property.
Don't forget to celebrate and show gratitude, once the settlement is final.