Start with what your home needs to do for you, then test each property against that brief. A beautiful first impression matters, but so do the layout on a wet weekday, ongoing upkeep and the cost of making a move. This guide connects the practical steps with the people and information you need along the way.
Speak with your lender or mortgage adviser about your borrowing position and the conditions attached to any approval. Allow for purchase costs such as legal advice, inspections, moving and insurance, as well as ongoing repayments, rates and maintenance. Keep a realistic buffer for work the property may need.
If this is your first home, ask your adviser about the options relevant to your circumstances and check current eligibility directly with the provider. Do not build an offer around assumed assistance or funds that have not been confirmed. If you also need to sell, discuss the timing of both transactions with your lawyer and lender.
Separate essentials from preferences. Think about bedrooms, access, work space, stairs, parking, storage and outdoor maintenance. Walk the routes you expect to use, including shops, transport and school journeys. Check school enrolment arrangements directly for the address.
Our Devonport property guide looks at village life, character homes and everyday journeys. Browse homes for sale and the open-home schedule, then contact the listing salesperson to confirm viewing arrangements. A viewing is also a chance to ask for the property information available and identify what needs independent checking.
Take notes on each home so comparisons remain useful after several viewings. Consider room sizes and connections, light, privacy, ventilation, signs of moisture and the condition of outdoor areas. Ask about alterations and available documentation. An open home gives you a first look; it is not a substitute for a building inspection or legal review.
Your lawyer can review the title, interests affecting it and the proposed agreement. Discuss the LIM, council records, consents and any questions about how the property is used. Arrange appropriate building and specialist checks, and confirm that suitable insurance is available. Different ownership types, including cross-lease and unit-title property, raise different questions about rights, obligations and shared costs.
The independent Settled property-research guidance helps organise those enquiries. Ask your advisers which checks are needed for the individual property and when they must be completed.
Discuss the sale method and seller’s process with the listing salesperson. Before signing, ask your lawyer to review the agreement, including the price, deposit, settlement date, conditions and any special terms. Conditions should reflect the advice and checks you need, with realistic deadlines. Do not rely on a casual conversation to establish what is included or agreed.
The listing agent acts for the seller. They can explain the property and process, but your own lawyer and advisers help you assess your interests. If other buyers are also making offers, ask how the multi-offer process will operate. Keep the offer within the limit you have set, even when a deadline makes the decision feel urgent.
Buying at auction generally means buying unconditionally, so complete the necessary finance, legal and property checks before you bid. Read the auction agreement and confirm the deposit, settlement and payment requirements. If you need different terms, raise them early and obtain agreement before auction day.
Let the salesperson know you are interested so you can be told about relevant changes, including a possible earlier auction. Understand registration and bidding arrangements, attend another auction if you are unfamiliar with the process and set your maximum price in advance. The Settled auction guide explains the preparation in more detail.
After an agreement is signed, work with your lawyer and lender to meet conditions and payment deadlines. Confirm insurance timing, arrange utilities and plan your move. Where the agreement provides for an inspection before settlement, use it to check the property against the agreed terms and raise concerns with your lawyer promptly.
Your lawyer handles the legal settlement process and confirms when it has occurred. Coordinate key collection with the salesperson once release is authorised. Keep essential documents, contacts and moving arrangements together so the final day is easier to manage.
View current properties or contact the Devonport team about a listing or your search. For independent background reading, the Settled guides are available online. Call Ray White Devonport on 09 445 9777 or visit 43 Victoria Road, Devonport.