Buy a home

Establish a safe budget, deposit target and buying-cost estimate before property pressure begins.

Define the property — type, new vs. established, layout, condition and ownership tolerance.

Find where your requirements may realistically exist — prices, transport, schools, planning, environment.

Prepare, observe, choose an inspector, read a report and know when to escalate to a specialist.

Section 32, contract terms, title, planning and building risk — what to verify before an unconditional contract.

Private-sale offers, conditions, auctions, vendor and dummy bids, and the cooling-off period.

What happens at settlement, duty and registration, insurance timing, and building problems found after settlement.