Finding the right property is about more than finding the right address.
Whether it’s your first home, your forever home or simply the right move for where life is taking you next, buying property is exciting – but there’s plenty to think about along the way.
At Altus Realty Group, we believe buyers deserve the same honest, straightforward approach we bring to every part of our business. We’re here to answer questions, help you understand the process and give you the information you need to make informed decisions, without the pressure or unnecessary sales tactics.
Because finding the right home should feel exciting, not overwhelming.
Five steps to your next home
Start with what matters to you.
Before scrolling through listings and planning your Saturday inspections, it helps to understand what you’re really looking for. Think about the areas you’d like to live in, your budget, the space you need today and what life might look like a few years from now.
Some things will be non-negotiable. Others might quickly become less important when you walk into a property that simply feels right. Having a clear idea of both gives you a much better place to start.
Know your numbers.
Understanding your financial position early can make the buying process considerably easier. Speak with your lender or mortgage broker about borrowing capacity, finance options and pre-approval, and remember to consider costs beyond the purchase price such as:
Having those conversations before finding the one means you’re in a much better position to make decisions with confidence when the right property comes along.
Get to know the market.
There’s no substitute for getting out there. Explore different neighbourhoods, attend open inspections and compare recent sales. Over time, you’ll develop a much clearer understanding of what your budget can buy, what represents value to you and which areas and property styles genuinely suit the way you want to live.
And talk to us. Letting the Altus team know what you’re looking for means we can keep you in mind when suitable properties come across our desks, including opportunities that may be coming to market.
Look beyond the open inspection.
Beautiful styling and a freshly mowed lawn can make a great first impression, but buying a property deserves a closer look. Take the time to understand the condition of the home and consider independent building and pest inspections. Have your conveyancer or solicitor review the contract and relevant documentation and, where appropriate, investigate things such as approvals, easements, boundaries or strata and community title arrangements.
We’ll happily provide the information available to us and answer your questions about the property and sale process. And where something requires specialist advice, we’ll always encourage you to speak with the right professional rather than pretending to be something we’re not.
When you’ve found the one.
Making an offer isn’t only about the number. Your deposit, settlement timeframe and any conditions such as finance or inspections can all form part of your offer. We’ll explain the seller’s process, present your offer and keep communication clear throughout the negotiations.
Our responsibility is to represent our vendor and achieve the best possible outcome for them, but that doesn’t mean the buying experience needs to feel adversarial. We believe both sides of a property transaction deserve to be treated professionally, respectfully and honestly.
Once an agreement has been reached, your lender and conveyancer will guide you through the remaining requirements leading up to settlement. We’ll remain part of the process too, helping with communication, access and the pre-settlement inspection where appropriate.
And then comes the good bit – the keys are yours.
You might just find your next home with Altus.
Whether you’re actively house hunting, attending opens every weekend or only starting to wonder what your next move might look like, tell us what you’re searching for.
We’re always happy to have a conversation, answer your questions and keep an eye out for a property that might be right for you.
This guide provides general information only. We recommend obtaining independent financial, legal and professional advice relevant to your circumstances before committing to a property purchase.
A good investment starts well before the property is yours.
Whether you’re purchasing your first investment property or adding another to an established portfolio, the right property needs to do more than look good on paper.
It needs to suit your financial position, investment goals and appetite for risk, while also making sense in the real rental market.
That’s where Altus offers something a little different. Our sales and property management teams work side by side, allowing us to look beyond the purchase itself and help you consider a property through the eyes of both a buyer and a future landlord.
What to consider before you buy
Start with your investment goals.
Before choosing the property, it helps to understand what you want your investment to achieve. You might be focused on rental income, long-term capital growth or a combination of both. Your intended ownership period, borrowing position and broader financial plans can all influence the type of property and location that may suit you.
Your lender, mortgage broker, accountant and financial advisers should form part of those conversations. We don’t pretend to be financial advisers – our role is to bring practical property and rental-market knowledge to the table.
Look beyond the advertised rent.
An expected weekly rental figure is important, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. All of these can influence how an investment performs:
This is where involving a property manager before you buy can be incredibly valuable. Our property management team can provide an indicative rental appraisal, discuss local tenant demand and consider the property from a practical management perspective. We can also identify features that may help or hinder its appeal to prospective tenants and highlight maintenance or improvements worth considering.
Sometimes that conversation confirms exactly what you were already thinking. Other times, it raises a question you hadn’t considered. Both can be valuable before you commit to the purchase.
Understand the property and the market around it.
A considered investment decision looks beyond the property itself. Location, employment, transport, schools, services, future development and the types of renters looking in an area can all influence tenant demand and the long-term appeal of a property.
It’s equally important to investigate the property carefully. Independent building and pest inspections, contract reviews and appropriate professional advice can help identify potential issues before you commit.
If you’re purchasing an already tenanted property, take the time to understand exactly what you’ll be taking on. The existing lease, rental payments, bond, maintenance history and current tenancy arrangements should all form part of your due diligence, alongside the appropriate legal and financial advice.
Buying is only the beginning.
Once you’ve secured the property, attention turns to what happens next. For a vacant property, that might mean completing maintenance or improvements, preparing the home for market, establishing a rental strategy and finding the right tenant. For an existing tenancy, it means making the transition in ownership and management as smooth as possible for everyone involved.
This is where having Altus sales and property management working together becomes particularly useful. Instead of our relationship ending when the property settles, we can stay alongside you as the focus moves from purchasing the property to managing the investment.
And hopefully, as your portfolio grows, we’re still sitting around the same table helping you with the next one.
Start the conversation earlier.
You don’t need to have found the property yet. If you’re considering an investment and would value another set of experienced eyes, talk to our team. We can discuss the property, provide rental-market insight and help you understand some of the practical considerations that come with owning and managing it.
Whether you eventually buy that particular property or decide it isn’t the right one, we’re happy to be part of the conversation.
This guide provides general information only. Rental income, property values and capital growth are not guaranteed. We recommend obtaining independent financial, taxation, legal and other professional advice relevant to your circumstances before making an investment decision.