Tools & advice

Get pre-approved before you start viewing, so you know what a bank will lend. Budget for transfer duty and attorney fees on top of the price; they are paid in cash, not from the bond. For sectional title, ask for the levy and the latest body corporate statements before you offer.

Compare recent sales in your suburb, not asking prices: an asking price is a hope, a sale is a fact. Homes priced too high sit longer, and a listing that has sat for months usually sells for less in the end than one priced right from the start.

Do an ingoing inspection with the landlord and keep the list with photos. Confirm in writing who pays for water and electricity. Your deposit must be kept in an interest-bearing account, and the interest is yours.

A properly installed inverter and battery system is one of the most asked-for features. Ask for the electrical certificate of compliance that covers it and the installer’s warranty. A “solar ready” house has wiring, not panels.