Our Buying Advice

Buying a property can be a stressful and a time consuming task. Finding the right property, to suit your needs and lifestyle can be difficult. Hilary Lazarus Real Estate aims to elevate some of the stress by keeping in close contact with genuine buyers by phone, fax and email. If you are on our database you are regularly informed of any new properties that we have listed. Select the link if you would like to register as a buyer.

Following are some helpful tips to assist you in your search.

• It is imperative that you know your budget. Organise a meeting with a financier to assess the amount you're able to afford or borrow.


• Make a list off all your needs and wants. Try and list them in order of preference.


• Research the areas you are interested in by obtain resent sales information. By doing your research you are able to assess what you get for your money. Resent sales are often printed in the Sydney Morning Herald, North Shore Times and on our Hilary Lazarus Real Estate recent sales link. Attend auctions and inspect as many properties as you can in your desired district. Know exactly what your money can buy.


• It is beneficial to you to build a trustworthy relationship with your Hilary Lazarus Real Estate agent. We recommend you Register as a Buyer. Use their knowledge and make the most of their informed advice. They are able to provide you with new listing information prior to any marketing.


• When you find a property that you are interested in, ask your agent to send a copy of the sale contract for sale to your solicitor or conveyancer.


• We advise you to organize a building and pest inspection preferably before you make an offer. This is usually a 10 to 20 page document informing you of any defects the property may have.


• Based on your solicitor/conveyancer advice and your perusal of the building and pest inspection you are able to make a confident offer on the property, that you are comfortable with through your agent. If you're bidding at auction ensure you register as a bidder on or prior to the auction and obtain a copy of the Bidder's Guide supplied by the Department of Fair Trading.


• If your offer has been accepted, you will be required to sign the contract for sale and pay a 10% deposit. Your deposit may be held in a trust account with your agent, vendor's solicitor or be placed in an interest bearing account until settlement. Interest is usually divided equally between the vendor and purchaser. When both the vendor and purchaser (with 10% deposit) have sign contracts they are exchanged.


• Remember that there is no cooling off period when a property is bought at Auction or a Section 66W certificate has been signed.


• There is usually a 6–8 week waiting period between exchange and settlement. A pre settlement inspection is conducted 1-2 days before settlement to ensure that the property is in the same state as your previous inspection.


• On settlement the remaining balance in paid to the vendor and the legal title to the property passes onto the purchaser.


• Only when your agent has received written conformation that the property has settled are you able to pick up the keys. Please confirm with your agent that this has occurred.