A new job, a return to family, better lifestyle, better weather, changes in priorities and life events – whatever your reason for starting over in a new suburb or city, the stresses of relocation remain the same. But there are some sure-fire tips for making the transition smoother, allowing you to view the move as an exciting adventure, rather than a dark leap into the unknown.
The future test
During your search for a suburb, take the time to think about the future growth potential of the suburb, as well as your own plans for the future.
If you have children or are planning to have children, research the local pre-schools, primary schools and high schools. If you’re open to moving in a year or two and may keep your first home as an investment property, do the research to ensure that the suburb is an area that will experience growth.
Also make sure to check out if there are any future government infrastructure plans in place, and/or, government interests in the area or title of your new property. For instance, a future freeway may be planned near your new home, or a new train line might be coming to the area. Make sure to check the zoning of the new area, zoning disclosure laws vary considerably across states. In New South Wales, a zoning certificate will disclose if your property is in a flood zone, bushfire-prone zone and other important information which could impact your future enjoyment of the home and/or surrounding area.
Price check
Out of area buyers will typically be willing to pay more for a property in a highly desirable suburb. Once you have an idea of where you want to live, it’s worth conducting extensive due diligence about where you want to live – speaking to local professionals with this expertise such as a local real estate agent will help you understand what is driving demand, and therefore property prices, for certain areas within localities. It is important to maintain an objective outlook as much as you can, so as to not let emotion influence your decision-making process and cost you in the long run.
Get familiar
Tap into local knowledge of getting smart with Google. Local sites, Facebook and community groups are a great place to start when looking for the lowdown on schools and services in the areas you are interested in. Making contact with other like-minded people in a neighbourhood is the quickest way of finding out whether the location suits you, your family and your lifestyle.
Get packing
To give yourself the freedom to move easily during the first months of your relocation, trust your move to professional home removers. Paying the extra to have the contents of your home professionally packed and put into storage at the other end is a minor investment in the big picture of purchasing a property, and something that will give you comfort in the quality and timeliness of delivery. This way, once you do make the move, you can unpack at your own pace and with the comfort that your items are otherwise securely stored.
Getting involved
Once you have relocated, there are many ways to become a part of your community and smoothen your transition. Showing your face and helping out at the kid’s school; becoming friends with your neighbours; joining local sports and groups. It can be all too easy to retreat inside a bubble of domesticity but getting involved with things in your community can make your transition into your new environment much smoother.
What about ex-pats?
It can be daunting and difficult to buy property when you can’t attend the viewing. Here are our top tips for ex-pats returning to Australia:
- Take the time to find the right location. You’re not just buying a house; you’re buying into a community, and you have to make sure it’s the right one for you.
- Don’t buy based on old information or applying “rose-coloured glasses” thinking. If you’ve been away for a long time, the property and demographic landscape will have changed a lot. At Purple Avenue we can help you understand today’s Sydney and get you up to date on the latest information about suburbs and developments so you can make an informed choice, see our services for ex-pats returning to Australia.
- Find someone you can trust to help you. Buying a property is a significant and costly decision. If you’re living overseas, you need someone based in Sydney who you can trust to help you with the process, who can be your “eyes and ears on the ground”.
If you’re looking to buy a new property, make sure you do your research first. Buying real estate is a highly emotional process, buying in an unfamiliar area adds an additional layer of complexity to the process. If you have any questions or want to know more about how we can help find and secure your new home, contact us for an obligation-free chat today.
Phone: 0448 881 254. Email: marcus@purpleavenue.com.au
Purple Avenue is a Sydney based Buyers Agency. We provide expert guidance and advice to help you make the most informed decisions, and our buyer’s agents will be with you every step of the way to ensure the process of buying your home is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
About the author:
Marcus Feasey is a Buyer’s Agent at Purple Avenue Buyers Agency. An extensive career in residential finance has provided Marcus with an intimate understanding of the purchase process, coupled with his knowledge and experience in the real estate market means that his skillset goes beyond just the property acquisition itself. His experience in the industry includes a variety of roles in sales & distribution leadership, business development and relationship management. Marcus is based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney and currently helps clients purchasing property in the Northern Beaches, North Shore, Eastern Suburbs and Inner-West.
Connect with Marcus on LinkedIn.
Disclaimer: This article contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. This article is not to be used in place of professional advice, whether business, health or financial.