What should I look for in a forever home in the Murraylands?
Raine and Horne Murraylands’ Michael Cox offers a few tips on achieving your real estate dream.
This sponsored story is brought to you by Raine and Horne Murraylands.
So you’re thinking long-term.
One chapter in your life is ending, another lies ahead, and you need to set yourselves up for the years ahead.
Perhaps you’re planning to move out of your first home, or a rental property, into something that will suit you better; perhaps your nest is empty and you’re ready to downsize into something more manageable.
What are the pitfalls you should look out for?
Raine and Horne Murraylands’ senior property consultant, Michael Cox, shares his tips.
Start with the basics
Firstly, you’ll want to ask yourself the questions any owner-occupier would ask before really getting into the property hunt:
- What is my budget?
- How big a block of land do I want?
- How many bedrooms and bathrooms do I need?
“You’re going to know what you’re after,” Michael says.
“It’s not for me to say what’s going to suit you.
“Just be clear in understanding what you’re after.”
Think about how your needs may change over time
Next, think about the location and features you’re looking for in a forever home, and think about how your preferences may change over the next 20 years or more.
As a young couple or family, you’re likely to need more room – are your kids outdoorsy types who’ll need a lot of space to run around in, a park down the street or a paddock across the road?
Which childcare service or school will be closest for you, and will you be within walking or bike-riding distance?
If you’re at a later stage in your life journey, ready to make the best of an empty nest, a peaceful outlook or neighbourhood might be important to you – but will you want to be closer to shops or medical facilities as you get older?
You’ll want to think about the features you want in a long-term home, too.
“For older people, it’s things like stairs or high-maintenance yards (you might want to avoid) … even driveways and ease of getting in and out of your car,” Michael says.
Set your expectations
Alright: you’ve got a good idea about the type of home you’d like to find, what features it might have and where it might be.
Now comes the hardest part.
“It’s quite challenging to find something that ticks all the boxes,” Michael says.
“You’re probably never going to find the absolutely perfect property, but you’re going to have things that are non-negotiable and things that would be useful but aren’t deal-breakers.
“If you can get 80 or 90 per cent of the things you want, you can get the rest worked on.”
Building your own home is another option at this stage, of course, but that comes with its own challenges.
Be ready to pounce
The last thing you’ll need to know is that the Murraylands’ property market is very different to what it was pre-COVID.
Property values are way up, yet demand is still strong enough that homes sell extraordinarily quickly – usually within days.
You may need to be more assertive about offering the highest price if a property ticks all your boxes.
“If you have to pay an extra $5000 or $10,000 more now for something you might be in for the next 20 years of your life … it’s not a huge amount of money per year,” Michael says.
You’ll also want to work with a real estate agent on a strategy that will help you secure the property of your dreams when it comes up, including preparations to sell your current home if you have one.
“When you’re looking for that forever home, you’ve really got to do everything you possibly can to be ready to secure that property, making sure your terms and conditions are as good as they can be and putting your best price forward,” Michael says.
“It might be another six to 12 months before that opportunity comes up again.
“If you’re ready to go, you’re less likely to end up missing out on the property of your dreams.”
- More information: Visit www.raineandhorne.com.au/murraylands, call 8532 3833 or drop into Raine and Horne Murraylands’ office at 4 Seventh Street, Murray Bridge.
Advertising to more than 20,000 highly engaged locals can do wonders for your business. Call Murray Bridge News’ Jane Intini on 0418 835 768 or email jane@murraybridge.news.
Peri Strathearn
