• Get proper building inspection company/report done.
  
• Double check any alterations have council approvals (don't take their word for it, get them to prove it).
  
• Ask how old the hot water system is. Gas storage ones have a life span of about 7 to 10 years.
  If it is getting old consider the cost to replace later on.
  
• Is the house airconditioned? If so, what type, and how long ago was it serviced?
  
• There are a lot of other costs to consider on top of the purchase price of the house.
  So ask about what else there is you need to budget for.
  ie. mortgage/land registration, mortgage insurance, etc.
  
• Ask about the land/water rates. How much? You will have to pay the rates for the remaining financial year period. Things like that.

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[COLOR=RoyalBlue][B][I]Titanium Reinforced[/I][/B]
MY00 Impreza WRX | MY11 Liberty GT Premium[/COLOR]

^^whs (98kellers). I'm using the FHOG as part of my deposit which has helped me to a 90% LVR. In turn that significantly lowered the amount of lenders insurance required also. Dropped from 11k down to around 6k.

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[I]trolololol[/I]

Your lender can hold the grant in a trust fund for you before settlement, just ask them.

Also i wouldn't be too stressed about buying straight away personally if i didn't own yet id be saving until there is solid evidence prices are rising.

I thought normally at settlement it is split so that the old owner only pays their portion for the financial year and the buyer pays the rest and one person refunds the other depending on who is left oweing

The rest of saints post is solid info.

I wouldn't but a house with evap or split system air con. Get ducted yourself its so worth it! even if you have to put up with a hot summer or 2

Correct. I didnt word that well at all.
It is worth asking about how much the annual rates are so you know what to budget for.

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[COLOR=RoyalBlue][B][I]Titanium Reinforced[/I][/B]
MY00 Impreza WRX | MY11 Liberty GT Premium[/COLOR]

Yeah definitely its crazy how much rates can vary for two houses with the same postcode, add's up to alot of money over the life or a mortgage

I moved roughly 7kms. Land rates went from $1200 to $2200 a year, water from $700 to $900.
Roughly the same sized block. Different city council.

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[COLOR=RoyalBlue][B][I]Titanium Reinforced[/I][/B]
MY00 Impreza WRX | MY11 Liberty GT Premium[/COLOR]

Hey Tony,

Gimmee a buzz on 0400 232 998 or email me at sam@themg.com.au at some stage today to discuss if you like?

Any questions you have then you can just ask away, rather than get all sorts of different answers from people that don't deal with mortgage finance everyday.

I can come and visit you and bring the lappy out and show how everything works etc if you like?

Hopefully speak soon

Sam

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[COLOR="Red"][B]Need Finance for a new Car or Mortgage??? Call or email me today:[/b][/COLOR]
[b][color="BLUE"][url]http://www.themortgagegallery.com.au/find-a-broker/manager/sam-zurzolo.aspx[/url][/b][/COLOR]

Ps: yes you can use FHOG to contribute towards your settlement. However you still need to show every bank in Aus that you saved 5% of the purchase price yourself (obviously there are slight differings to the above but that is a pretty straight blanket guide).

Each individual is different, each and every bank/lender is different which is where I come in

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[COLOR="Red"][B]Need Finance for a new Car or Mortgage??? Call or email me today:[/b][/COLOR]
[b][color="BLUE"][url]http://www.themortgagegallery.com.au/find-a-broker/manager/sam-zurzolo.aspx[/url][/b][/COLOR]

Just a quick question on house inspections, currently getting a new house built and the slab is down. I was advised to find a house inspector to monitor, check the different stage of the house e.g. slab down, brick works,roof on and so on.

So my question is has anyone else on here had their new home inspected at different build stages and who did you use as i would like to make sure everything is been done correctly by the builder.

Thanks.