There are a lot of things to do when moving house, particularly if you’re buying a home for the first time. Remembering to have the electricity connected is one of them! The first night in an unfamiliar house without lights may be a memory you want to avoid!
Without a home-buyers to-do list, especially in a private sale, you’re bound to forget something. The following buying a house checklist should help avoid oversights and keep the stress to a minimum, whatever your state and territory.
Overview:
Super-simple buying a house checklist
Buying your first home: Contract of sale
The following are the top 10 things you need to remember to do when buying a house. This is our essential buying a house checklist.
Have you …
- Had a conveyancer or lawyer look over the contract and Form 1 before you sign or during your cooling off period? (We charge a fee for this service but rebate $50 if you proceed with the matter and engage us as your conveyancing lawyers.)
- Had appropriate clauses included in the Contract (e.g. subject to finance, building/pest inspection report, subject to sale/settlement of another property, final inspection before settlement)?
- Calculated the total fees based on your purchase price (i.e. stamp duty and registration fees, searches, adjustment or rates and taxes, conveyancing fees)?
- Paid your deposit to the real estate agent?
- Received pre-approval of finance (home loan) from your bank?
- Provided your real estate agent and conveyancer with the finance approval letter?
- Satisfied all contractual conditions, and have you advised the real estate agent and conveyancer?
- Advised your bank and real estate agent of your conveyancer’s details?
- Arranged building insurance for your new home?
- Obtained a Certificate of Insurance from your insurer and provided it to your conveyancer and bank?
After buying a house checklist: Settlement process & moving house checklist
Congratulations – you’re almost through the cooling off period and in possession of your new home. But before the sale is complete, there are a few more things you need to remember to do. Have a read through our after buying a house checklist:
Have you …
- Signed your mortgage documents with the bank?
- Signed your transfer documents with your conveyancer or property settlement lawyer (Adelaide)?
- Arranged for collection of the keys from the agent after settlement?
- Arranged movers?
- Given written notice to your landlord (if applicable)?
- Made a list of mail you receive for notifying change of address?
- Notified your power/gas company of the date you are moving?
- Notified your telephone company of the date you are moving?
- Notified your television service (Foxtel) for transfer (if applicable)?
- Arranged for care of your children/pets for the day you are moving?
- Arranged for redirection of your mail with Australia Post?
- Notified the following of your change of address:
- Your bank/s
- Electoral department
- Motor vehicle registration department
- Health insurance
- Superannuation funds
- Medical practitioners
- Accountant
- Tax office
- Employer
We hope you found this buying a house checklist (and moving house checklist) helpful. This is an extremely exciting time for you and we want to make sure it goes without a hitch.
Please be advised that e-Conveyancing is now mandatory in South Australia when buying a property. For further information please contact Anna on 8362 6400 or email Anna Pantelios. Alternatively, arrange a consultation with one of our experienced conveyancing and property lawyers Adelaide residents rely on. Join our mailing list to receive updates and advice on current issues.
