Buying a home is a lot
to hold at once.
Most first-time buyers wish they'd asked better questions earlier. These are the questions, and the answers.
Free. No sign-up. Use what helps, skip the rest.
Money
“Will I still be able to eat out?”
The money part. Income, HELP debt, deposits, stamp duty, and the help you might be eligible for.
What help can I get?
Grants, concessions, and Help to Buy. Five questions, about a minute.
What can I borrow?
See which factors move the needle. HELP debt, credit cards, dependents.
What will it cost each month?
Your real monthly cost as a percentage of take-home pay.
How much deposit do I need?
See how your savings stack up against what lenders want.
Stamp duty lookup
What you owe on settlement, by state and price.
Team
“Do I really need all these people?”
You don't do this alone. A broker, a conveyancer, and pre-approval in hand. Get these sorted before you start inspecting.
What does a broker actually do?
How they get paid, how to pick one, what to ask.
When do I call a conveyancer?
What they check and why it should happen before you bid.
On the way
- Pre-approval walkthrough — A conditional offer from a lender. Tells agents you're serious.
Research
“What do locals already know that I don't?”
Public data most buyers skip. Schools, commute, flood, bushfire, zoning, and NBN. All from your couch.
School catchments
Checking the boundary early can save you six figures. Read the guide.
Bushfire BAL ratings
What BAL levels mean for insurance and lending. Read the guide.
Flood mapping
How to check flood risk using state maps. Read the guide.
Internet at this address
FTTP vs FTTN matters more than you think. Read the guide.
On the way
- Door-to-door commute — Real travel times using state GTFS feeds.
- Walkability check — Shops, parks, and transport within a short walk.
- Flight path noise — CASA noise contours on any address.
- Zoning and nearby DAs — What the land allows, and what's being built around it.
Inspect
“Is this the one, or am I just tired?”
What to look for at the open home. A checklist, a building inspection, and a way to compare.
Open home checklist
Everything worth checking, including night visits and neighbours.
Building and pest inspection
About $500 to $900. Checks structure, termites, and moisture. Worth every dollar.
On the way
- Compare your shortlist — Lay them side by side. Match score, commute, schools, risks, costs.
Offer
“Please don't let me stuff this up.”
You've done the work. Contract review, then auction or private offer, then 30 to 60 days to the keys.
How auctions work
Cooling-off rules, registration, and setting your limit before the day.
Making a private offer
Conditions, deposits, time limits, and cooling-off periods.
Settlement steps
What happens between signing and getting the keys.
On the way
- Section 32 walkthrough — What your conveyancer is checking before you sign.
- Insurance from exchange — You're liable from the day you sign. Here's what to have ready.
The whole thing on one page.
Tick steps off as you go. Come back whenever.
You don't need to know everything on day one.
These tools will be here next week, next month, and the week you finally find the one.
Track where you are