With beautiful beaches, good schools, proximity to the city and availability of childcare services, the Sutherland Shire is an attractive area for buyers who are looking to purchase a family home. The Shire is also known for its strong growth, with prices increasing by 27% in the last 12 months alone.

People born and raised in the Shire typically enjoy the lifestyle and often return to raise their families here even if they lived away for a while. 

Couples and young families who live in the inner-city of Sydney also often relocate to Sutherland Shire if purchasing a home in the city proves unaffordable.

All of these factors can make buying in the Shire very competitive. Ensure you’re making a sound investment before handing over what is likely a substantial chunk of your savings when you buy a home. Use the tips below from Matt Callaghan Property to ensure you’re purchasing a home that will serve you and your family well for years to come.

Visit open houses in the area you wish to buy

The first step is to start attending open house inspections. Look through properties on the market and get an understanding of what is on offer and what prices are being achieved. Some people might advise you to get your finance in place first, but browsing open homes will give you some realistic guidelines around how agents follow up and how many buyers are looking at certain properties. Sometimes certain markets aren’t as hot as others and that may be a window for you to snap up an excellent opportunity. 

 

Understand additional costs 

Beyond the deposit and stamp duty, there are lesser-known costs to consider, like conducting building and pest inspections (although most agents now will provide a report from the vendor or a service where you only pay circa $50 to view the report) this can add up if you look at bidding for a number of homes, conveyancing fees and disbursements. Use the Housing NSW Guide to costs of a home purchase to work out what these might look like for you. Bear in mind that these charges will depend on the property type you choose to buy.

 

Cash in on Government grants

You are doing yourself a disservice if you don’t research available grants. The First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme currently entitles first home buyers to be totally or partially exempt from stamp duty, which could save you thousands of dollars. 

The First Home Owner (New Homes) Grant also offers $10,000 towards new builds for eligible NSW residents. These schemes will likely change soon, but the Government will introduce replacement offers. It is always worth keeping your eye on the Services NSW website to research what you may receive.

 

Take charge of your finances 

Shopping around without knowing what is within your price range is a recipe for wasting time and can lead to great disappointment. Once you have a rough idea of the costs involved and what grants you can get, you’ll want to secure at least pre-approval for a home loan. 

If you haven’t bought a property before, enlisting a mortgage broker to secure the best deal may save you time and money. You can also refer to Moneysmart’s guide to help you choose a home loan, which offers unbiased tips and advice for comparing home loans. The website also features budget and mortgage calculators to give you the best picture of your finances and borrowing power.

 

Connect with a conveyancer 

It’s crucial to connect with a conveyancer or solicitor who will help you navigate the buying and settlement process. Fair Trading NSW outlines the role of a conveyancer/solicitor in the property purchase process as involving:

• examining the contract for sale
• arranging building and pest inspections
• examining a strata inspection report (if the property is in a strata scheme)
• arranging finance if necessary
• exchanging the contract of sale
• paying the deposit
• arranging payment of stamp duties
• preparing and examining the mortgage agreement
• checking if there are outstanding arrears or land tax obligations
• checking if swimming pool compliance documentation is needed
• finding out if any government authority (eg. local council, Sydney Water, Transport for NSW) has a vested interest in the land or if any planned development could affect the property
• finding out any information that may not have been previously disclosed such as a fence dispute or illegal building work
• calculating adjustments for council and water rates for the property settlement
• overseeing the change of title with NSW Land Registry Services
• completing any final checks prior to settlement
• attending settlement

Unless you’re prepared to take on the time and risks of doing all this work yourself, you will need to connect with a solicitor or conveyancer.

 

Location, location, location 

It is land prices that typically increase, not the value of your home. When viewing homes, opt for an attractive piece of land in the best area you can afford, even if it means settling for an older-style home, which may require some work. The old saying “the worst house in the best street” does come to mind…

Local agents like Matt Callaghan Property have expert knowledge about the Sutherland Shire. They can give you more information about the community feel of specific neighbourhoods and services within particular suburbs.

 

Be first on the scene

Want to be the first to know about newly available properties for sale? There are a few different ways you can ensure this happens. Matt Callaghan Property allows you to put your name down for off-market opportunities and property alerts that meet your criteria. For various reasons, sellers are sometimes eager for a quick sale. You may take advantage of this opportunity by being the first to view and make an offer to the seller. Creating a relationship with local agents, experts you trust to help you get a reasonable price for a family home can be invaluable.

 

Visit more than once

Viewing a home more than once helps you see different features and expresses your seriousness about a property. Maybe the first time you inspected, you didn’t look under the house, but now that you’re serious about it, this is something you should return to the property to do.

If you happen to be viewing outside standard inspection times, to suit your working hours, parenting needs etc, you may inadvertently meet the seller. Putting a face to your name can help your cause if the seller comes down to choosing between your young family and a developer. 

 

Inspect thoroughly

Don’t be put off by how many other people might be viewing a property or any other distractions when viewing properties for sale. Take the Homebuyer’s Checklist along to prevent forgetting things like checking the condition of retaining walls. You’ll be surprised at the details that may escape your attention when staring at a nicely styled home!

 

Request a copy of the contract 

Requesting a contract has multiple benefits. It is an easy way to notify the selling agent that you are an interested party and will ensure you are not left behind should negotiations unfold. Importantly, it stipulates all terms of the sale, including everything from the exact outline of the property, to the settlement period. 

Suppose you are very interested in a property you have viewed. In that case, you should have your conveyancer or solicitor review the contract so they can illuminate any potential problems with the purchase. The costs of having contracts reviewed can add up quickly and make you tire of the process. We recommend only presenting a contract to your conveyancer if you are very serious about buying a property.

 

Seek building and pest inspections

If the owners haven’t provided building and pest inspections, reports can be organised for your peace of mind. These assessments are essential for determining that the property you plan to buy is structurally sound. Again, report costs can add up, so only have inspections conducted for properties you seriously consider purchasing.

 

Know your rights

If you don’t fully understand terms like gazumping, underquoting, dummy bids or unconditional approval, it is worth reading the relevant guides to buying a property on Fair Trading NSW. Learning your rights may prevent you from bidding at an auction, only to find out there’s no cooling-off period or purchasing an overpriced property.

For more help finding the best home in the Sutherland Shire for your family, contact Matt Callaghan Property. Their team of experts are ready and willing to help you find your new home. 

Matt Callaghan Property’s team has decades of experience. They pride themselves on providing approachable and reliable service in the Sutherland Shire. In addition to their support for buyers, they offer free appraisals and services for anyone looking to sell their home. Reach out today and let them help you secure the home of your dreams.