When it comes to buying there are a few things you need to do in order to be sure you are getting the best deal.

• Confirm your finances. Talk with a broker, mortgage manager or personal banker, they will be able to confirm what you are able to borrow up to.
  
• Once you have your finance in place you will be in a good position to begin the negotiations.
  
• Find out these issues about a property you are interested in.
  
• How long has the property been on the market?
  
• Have they had any offers?
  
• Why are they selling?

The answers to these questions will tell you a lot about the vendor’s motivation for a sale.

• Ask your agent for recent sales in the area.
  
• This will tell you what the market is paying for similar properties.
  
• When it comes to buying, the value you place on a property is a personal issue.

Each buyer has four values for every property.

• The steal price – wouldn’t it be good if you can get it for that!
  
• The fair market price – likely to be within a price range.
  
• The “fighting fund price” – the extra two or three thousand you would pay if it meant not
• missing out on getting the property.
  
• The other buyer price – “at that price I’m happy for someone else to own it”

When you find the right property, buy it and put necessary clauses in the Agreement for Sale and Purchase to cover any concerns or issues you have. Be sure the conditional dates and settlement date’s are realistic and workable for you.