One of the most exciting moments in anyone’s life is when they buy their first home. It doesn’t matter if it’s a tiny apartment, or a big house, the thrill is absolutely equal. For first-time buyers, however, there are many pitfalls into which they might stumble should they fail to approach the entire process more methodically.
Let’s imagine you’re buying your first apartment in Melbourne. Below are some things to think about when you’re finalizing the deal:
1. Get a Final Inspection
Before you finalize the payment and prepare to take possession, you really have to look for an apartment final inspection in Melbourne. This inspection will involve a qualified professional visiting the property and inspecting every corner of it to make sure that everything you are paying for is safe and up to code.
Such inspections in Melbourne have to be carried out by a VBA-accredited building inspector and will include stage inspections, and reports based on requirements in Section 137B of the 1993 Victoria Building Act, which says that any defects on work completed in the last 6 years and 6 months has to be reported.
2. Complete the Paperwork
With an inspection revealing no defects, you can proceed with the remainder of your closing paperwork with greater confidence. You can also start to make plans about what you’d like to do with the place. Get all the admin done and confirmed, however, before you start investing more money. You never know what might happen!
3. Do a Deep Clean
With all the ink on the paperwork dried and confirmed, you can proceed with your moving-in plan. Even if the apartment is relatively new, it will still benefit from a deep clean before you move in. If the place has been sitting empty for a while, there will be an accumulation of dust, maybe cobwebs. Even if the previous owners just moved out, they likely left behind some moving mess to deal with. Cleaning the house while it’s empty is actually easier because there’s nothing to get in the way of the cleaning process.
4. Change the Locks
You were likely given all the keys when you took possession of the house, but there’s no telling for sure whether or not there are other keys lurking about. The best thing you can do is treat the old lock as temporary and at the first opportunity bring someone in to change them over. In the modern age, consider digital locks that work with passcodes, fingerprints and even your smartphone. You greatly reduce your chances of being locked out, and these systems are stronger than ever for deterring would-be thieves.
5. Hook Up Internet and Other Utilities
The Internet is no longer one of those things we can do without for a few days while we get settled. It’s as much of an essential utility as running water, heating and air conditioning. So, on the same day you are hooking up and connecting your other utilities, be sure to have someone visit and install your Internet connection. All you then need to do is plug in your router and you’re ready to go. Be sure that the electricity is working, as well as the running (and hot) water.
With all these things in place, you can move your stuff in and continue as normal.
6. Update Your Details with the Authorities
Be sure to update your mailing address, with all the appropriate government departments, and not just the post office. For example, having the wrong address on the ATO tax system can cause problems later on, so ensuring they have the right address before your next return is important.
