Forrestfield 
Saving enough money for a home deposit is a long journey but the next challenge is to find the right property and make it your own.
Frustratingly, nearly a fifth of first home buyers in Australia take over a year to buy their first home. That can be a long time to be in limbo, not to mention a lot of lost Saturday mornings.
The following are some tips to help you buy a home faster:
Get pre-approved: You can start house hunting whenever you want, but until you have home loan approval, you won’t be buying a home. Getting pre-approved for your home loan will give you confidence to make offers and allow you to take fast action. Pre-approval usually lasts for three months. Talk to your lender if you aren’t ready to make an offer when this time runs out.
Know what you want: Spend time working out clear criteria for what you want in a home. Write down your must-haves, negotiables, and bonuses, and you will be able to tailor your search so you don’t end up visiting lots of unsuitable properties.
This is extra important if you are a couple — your search will take longer if you aren’t both clear on the type of home you are looking for and what you are and aren’t willing to compromise on.
Stick to what you can afford: Don’t waste time house hunting in suburbs that are out of your budget.
Learn how to bid: You might not have any option but to head to an auction. Bidding is a skill that takes some practice and awareness. Go to auctions to see how it works and familiarise yourself with the process. You may also wish to find someone who can help by bidding on your behalf.
Check out Government grants: If you are a first home buyer, you should make the most of any financial support available. Review the financial assistance you may be eligible for and apply early. These grants can make a difference to your budget and the type of home you purchase.
Work with a professional: Real estate is complex and competitive, especially at this point in time. It’s important to remember real estate agents are on your side. It is their job to match every home for sale with the ideal buyer so introduce yourself to every agent you meet at an open home and let them know exactly what you are looking for.
Once you are on the radar of agents in your area, they will be able to reach out to you when a property you may like comes up. This gives you the potential to make an offer before other buyers.
Don’t be afraid to ask the real estate agents you meet for tips and advice so they can help you make that first home purchase sooner.
