To buy property you will need:
Money (sufficient personal funds, or home loan/mortgage) to cover the price, stamp duty and fees for:
– independent financial advice;
– a solicitor or conveyancer;
– qualified inspector/surveyor/architect for a pre- purchase inspection certificate;
– a land information certificate (337 certificate).
If you buy a home you will have to pay:
– deposit (at least 10% of the price);
– stamp duty (this amount varies but is generally a few thousand dollars);
– various property inspections & clearance certificates (eg. building, pest, land).
Options for buying include:
– Buy land and build on the land
Build according to the National Construction Code and Tasmanian Building Regulations (2016).
You may be eligible for assistance to buy land and build, or buy a newly built home through the Housing Tasmania HomeShare program. This program allows you to share the cost of buying a home with the Director of Housing Tasmania.
Land and home package deals may be a cheaper option.
Using partially or pre-constructed Kit Homes may be a more economical and quicker way to build your home.
– Buy an existing property
This could be through a real estate agent, a private sale, or at auction. If you want to buy at auction, you must register with the auctioneer (usually the real estate agent).
Housing Tasmania offers homes for sale through the Streets Ahead program. This program offers current tenants of Housing Tasmania the opportunity to buy the property they are renting from Housing Tasmania.
Steps to buying or renting through Housing Tasmania:
◊ Register with Housing Connect. Housing Connect will assess your eligibility to obtain property for renting or buying from Housing Tasmania.
◊ Housing Connect will talk to you about the kind and size of the property you are entitled to and level of housing need (how urgently housing is required).
◊ Based on the information you provide; available properties will be reviewed for allocation.
◊ Properties that match your requirements will be allocated and offered for your consideration. If buying, you may choose from Housing properties that are available for sale.
– Buy into co-operative or co-housing or consider joint ownership
It is a good idea to use a conveyancing lawyer to help you with this kind of purchase. Your real estate agent may be able to recommend a lawyer, or ask a friend or family member if they can recommend someone they have used.
GET STARTED
If you are buying a home for the first time, you may be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant (Tasmania) FHOG. Go to the First Home Buyers Australia website to test your eligibility and see if you’re financially ready to buy a home in an area of your choice
Free financial counselling is available through Anglicare. They can help you to work out whether you can afford to buy a house and explain what is involved financially. You can contact them 1800 007 007 to talk to a counsellor or make a time to meet in person.
You may be able buy a newly built home through the Housing Tasmania HomeShare program. This program allows you to share the cost of buying a home with the Director of Housing Tasmania. For more information, visit the HomeShare program website.
Housing Tasmania also offers homes for sale through the Streets Ahead program. This program offers current tenants of Housing Tasmania the opportunity to buy the property they are renting from Housing Tasmania. For more information on the program visit the Streets Ahead Incentive Program page
ACTION STEPS
Here you can find a simple list of the best actions to take if you are interested in this topic: