Buying a House Tips

Before you start looking for house, make a list of any non-negotiable features you expect in a house, any negotiable features, and anything that would be a really nice extra. Take into consideration the price, location, style of house, size of home and number of bedrooms, car space, etc. Think also of whether it is important for you to have a house with a garden, a house that gets a lot of sun, a house with a view, and the proximity of the house to services such as school, bus routes, shopping centres, etc.

If you enlisting the services of a property lawyer to aid in the purchase of your new house, they will do much of the following. However if you have any concerns about an area that the lawyer hasn't covered, please ask them.

Your lawyer will get a copy of the certificate of title. This will tell you the size and shape of the section, who owns it, the history of who has owned it in the past, and whether there are any mortgages, leases, rights of way or other interests affecting the title. You will also find information on whether there are any covenants, easements or other restrictions on how the property can be used. If you are handling the transaction yourself, you can get a certificate of title from Land Information New Zealand.

If your lawyer hasn't already, get a copy of the Land Information Memorandum from your local council. This should contain i information about the rates, restrictions on use of the land/buildings, resource consents relating to the property, sewage and stormwater pipes, and any environmental issues that might affect the site.

Contact the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (please click HERE for the link). Check if a claim has ever been lodged on the building, and read through their guidelines.

Check for adjoining industries and factories that could cause noise, dust or smells. Drive past the house at different times of the day and different days of the week.

Talk to neighours about flooding and security. Ask if there are any problems with noise, parties, etc in the immediate vicinity.

Get information about the price.Look at other comparable houses in the area and get an idea about what an acceptable price is. If you are using a real estate agent to buy the house they should be able to provide this information.

Get a property inspection. This is a financial outlay that could save you thousands of dollars. Your inspection should identify any significant defects in the structure of the property. You will be supplied with a comprehensive report on the general state of the house and any maintenance to be done.

Before you sign any agreement, seek legal advice. A sale and purchase agreement is a legally binding document.