Things to know to buy your first home

 

 Are you thinking about buying your first home but you don’t know where to start or what to do? Do you need a help? I can give you some simple tips to start your first house hunting. 

I really sounded like a real estate agent, didn’t I? Don’t worry. Neither I am an agent nor I work for the property industry. Therefore I have to make clear that my tips are from my live experiences not from a professional background. Quite often, I find that professional advices are too difficult to understand (for me) and their statistics are unclear to figure out what actually they meant. So, I would like to share my personal experiences and some simple tips with people who are planning on buying their first property. 

 

 

I have bought 4 properties and sold 3 of them since I came to Australia (12.5 years). It wouldn’t be considered as exclusive experiences for the professionals but I believe that as an ordinary person, I have had bit of understandings about properties to talk about. I am also currently helping my sisters to buy their first home and looking for an investment property for my husband and myself. While I am searching for a suitable property for my sisters and helping them out for the preparation of purchasing property, I have realised again that it is not a simple mission for the first home buyers who have lack of knowledge about property markets and the actual process of purchasing properties. So, I hope my experiences and tips can be a little help for the people who intend to buy their first HOME. 

There are two major pieces  you need to consider when you decide to purchase your first property. First one is finding the right property for you and second is how to buy the property (process) that you wish to buy. I will write about them in two blogs as it could be too long to read (I don’t want you to get bored J). So, let’s start with how to find the right one.

 

1.      Find out how much you can afford : When you are ready for the house hunting, the first thing you have to certainly know is your budget. You need to find out how much you can afford to buy your first property. Go onto web sites that shows the comparisons of current interest rates in order to find the best deal for you. I highly recommend  using Canstar  http://www.canstar.com.au/interest-rate-comparison/ as it was easy to see the comparison rates between mortgagers. Little differences of interest rates can make very big differences over the years so choosing the right mortgage is very important. When you find out the right one for you, you can contact a bank or mortgage broker to learn actual figures you can borrow. I strongly recommend you to have at least 20% of deposit to avoid extra expense called ‘Mortgage Insurance’ on the top of the mortgage. Remember that you also need to pay stamp duty and fees for lawyer. The less you borrow the better you will be so don’t rely on how much you can borrow (Mortgagers will be always happy to lend as much as they can to get more profit for them (not you)) . How much you can afford to pay is more important. I will try to talk more about this in my next blog.

 

2.      Keep your budget : Now you know how much you can borrow and how much you can pay for your first home so you can start looking for properties. When you start going for inspections, you will soon realise that always better ones and more expensive ones attract more of your attention. We all want to have newer, bigger and  better renovated properties but don’t forget that you need to pay more for them (Often far more than necessary as they attract other buyers to compete with you). Stay in your budget and don’t over stretch your limit. Buying a house (having a mortgage) is a huge commitment in our life. If you buy a house that is over your limit, it can give you a short term satisfactory but you will need to carry on the financial burden for a very, very long time.
 

3.      Don’t fall in love with a property : You need to be rational and realistic to buy the right house which can offer you warm and comfy nest at the present and also future growth. Many property professions said that we make money on properties when buying not selling and I couldn’t agree more. If you overpaid for a property when you buy because you love it, how can you expect capital growth in future. When you fall in love with a property, your mind is not clear enough to find out the real value of the property so you are likely to pay more than necessary. Of course, you will live in the place so you must like the house but don’t be too emotional about the beautifications of the property. As long as the property has got a potential to get improved, you can change it as you like in future so try to find a real value of the property instead of being emotionally attached to a well presented property.

 

4.      Inspect as many places as possible : I know sometimes it can be frustrating to go to inspections to find a right house but take it as your homework. You need to see as many places as possible to find the right one. You can be lucky to find the one fairly soon but sometimes it can take you quite long time to find the place which is suitable for you so, be patient. Try to enjoy looking at properties and comparing the value of each property. If you see more, you will know better about the real value of properties in current market and you will become clearer about what you can purchase with your budget.

 

5.      Location! Location! Location! : “Worst house in a best street!” Apparently, location is a very important point to check when you buy a house. Try to avoid buying a house in a busy road or street as it is very stressful to live and also you never can get good price when you want to sell. Try to buy a property in a good location such as quite surrounding, less units, close to the beaches and close to local shopping areas etc... However, unfortunately the property prices in the good locations will disappoint you a lot as they are far higher than you can afford. I can suggest you to look around suburbs close to the well-known suburbs which is still not recognised as a good one but there is potential to grow.

 

6.      First one, not last one : Many first home buyers easily make a mistake by paying more for a bigger and more expensive property as they think they will live in the property for good. Nothing is permanent so don’t think the first property will be your last one to buy. Be conservative and be aware of your capacity. Take your first property as a first step (not the last one) so be more careful in choosing and buying so you can make a next step easier when you are ready.

 

7.      Look for a potential : When you inspect properties, try to look for a potential which can make the property better in future. A sunroom can be used as a kids room or a study and internal laundry can be an extra toilet or shower. Well shaped living room can be set up as a temporary room. Therefore, don’t look at the only present outlook and try to see the potential which can add value on the property in future.

 

8.      Listen but don’t believe everything : When you are in house hunting business, you can have opportunities to talk with real estate agents. Certainly, they have more knowledge and experiences in property market so listen carefully what they talk/advise  but remember that they are working for sellers not for you, buyer. Therefore the information can be less favourable for buyers. Listen carefully for educating yourself but decision should be made by your own judgement. Also try to get useful information from them as much as you can. Strata levy (if there is any), Council levy, outgoings, any prospective issues regarding the building, current rent (just in case) etc…. When you know more, you are in the better position to buy the right property.

 

9.      Be patient and wait : At the moment, property market is extremely heated up by buyers so it looks like buyers are competing with each other. Therefore property prices are heading up and up unreasonably. If market is too hot, you can hardly get a good value property. Be patient and wait. There are always ups and downs.  You don’t need to fight with other buyers to increase property prices and overpay. None of you can be a winner but only vendors when the market is thriving. As I mentioned earlier, buying a house is a BIG commitment so you need to know how to wait in order to grab the right chance.  

 

I hope my tips do make sense to you and help to get your head around. Buying a house can be difficult as you need to start limiting your expenses to pay off the mortgage (for a very long period)  but owning your own home is indescribably rewarding.

 

Good luck for your house hunting!

 

First week at work

This is my short summary of my first week at work. 

 

 

 

I know many people would wonder how I could manage my first week at work after the long trip as my last blog sounded quite depressing. Yes, I have survived the first week safely without any major issues or problems. Actually, it was much better than I expected (Maybe I took the word, ‘WORK’ too seriously).  

Monday was the worst. Getting up early morning (6am), driving in a horrendous traffic (nearly 1 hour for 15km), finding out all the password to login all the systems (I wrote them down in a notebook before I left but I couldn’t remember which notebook I used for), trying to remember how to use all the systems and answering colleagues how my first day back was going. My brain was moving very slow as my mind was still lying on the beach. The hardest thing was sitting on a chair all day long. I found that my ability on concentration was far lower than ever and my body was itchy due on lack of fresh air and sun. What could I expect after 5 and half months of Work-Free life?  However, main point is I have survived. 

While I was trying to getting back into the reality, I have learnt a couple of things and I would like to share them with you (if you don’t mind). 

Everything will be fine. : Very often we worry more than necessary. I was stressed and anxious to be back. I worried about things which MAY happen but also MAY NOT happen. All my negative ‘what if’ were ended as not necessary worries and I could manage most of things without any big troubles. I was assured that getting stressed and being anxious about what ifs are pointless.  They will not lead us anywhere but only drag us down emotionally and also physically. So, ‘Don’t worry and be happy!’

Nothing has been changed : Many people including myself hesitate making extraordinary decisions because we fear about the changes may occur during our absence. It took us years of time to decide our long trip as we were not brave enough to break the perception. After the trip, I was nervous to come back to face the changes at work but, guess what? I haven’t found anything I am sorry that I have missed. While we were having a lifetime dream, nothing has happened but only time has flown away. What I want to make a point here is ‘Do what you want to do NOW!’.  

I still can’t believe that we have made the trip, we have already returned from the trip and we have been back to the ordinary life. Time is too real that I feel like I only had a very sweet dream. I am sitting in the same desk and same office but I refuse to be the same person as now I know there are plenty of things we need to enjoy and we mustn’t miss out there. What can be our next plan? I am not sure yet but I am certainly open for the new voyage.

 

 

 

Back to Reality?

 

 

 

O...M...G!!!!!

 

I really can't believe the fact that It has been almost three weeks since we came back from the long trip of 4 and half months. The first week was gone very smoothly for nurturing our physical and mental tiredness from the trip. The second week was passed even faster than the first one while we were enjoying the true holiday mood on the beaches around our home. The third week is also moving very fast as other ones but I feel quite different. Yes, finally I am realising that the reality is standing in front of my face and I don't know how to accept the truth, 'I have to go to WORK! '. If anyone blames my attitude about going back to work after such a long break,  I don't have too many things to argue or excuse myself but frankly, I feel even harder to accept the fact than any other times. The long break doesn't seem to be helpful to get back to the reality easier at all.

From the couple of days ago, I started feeling bit stressed by thinking about going back to work. I was overwhelmed that we could take the exceptionally long break and unconsciously forgot that I had to be back to the same spot when the leave has finished. However, as we all know, time is always brutally aurate and here I am. I am back from the dream trip and facing to my real life. How depressing it is! I am totally confused and uncertain about the morning when I have to dress up the working suit. I feel nervous like a little girl who is having a first day at school.

Didn't I mention that we need to be positive in my previous blog? Seriously, I am trying to keep my words but the dilemma between reality and dream life comes into my mind and constantly knock myself down. I know that I have no other options to replace the fact that I have to get up every day very early morning and drag myself to be a part of the disastrous traffic at this moment. I admit that I haven't found the way that can free me from the 9 to 5 rat race. Therefore all I can do is going back to the same spot and doing the same things which I wished to change. Have I sounded too dark?

Facing the reality is not always pleasure but I am not going to let the fact stressing me too much. What I am going to do handle the reality are,
1. Enjoy the rest of my break as much as possible as every single minute is too precious to miss.
2. Think positive way that having a job to be back is still less stressful than no job to go back.
3. Keep open mind for the new ideas.
4. Solve the problems one by one and step by step
5. Don't worry about things which I don't need to worry at this stage
6. Be proactive on new opportunities
7. Relax and keep exercising to remove the pressure of the reality
8. Be prepare for the next break

Am I feel better now? Certainly, yes! One of the reasons why I like writing is that I can re-examine my unclear thoughts and review my options. This process makes me feel more relaxed and prepared myself for future. Instead of being stressed or depressed, I will need to be ready for the opportunities in future.

What Dalai lama said is " if it can be solved there is no need to worry,  if it can't be solved,
worry is of no use no" and I couldn't agree more. Let's face to the reality and get over it!

 

 

How to overcome daily stress and depression

 

One of my friends who recently got a new job told me on the phone that she wants to live like me. What? Live like me??? She replied my unclear and doubtful question that she wants to live like me who doesn't have any stress and do whatever I wish to do. All I could do was laughing. She seemed to be pretty stressed and rundown from the new job.

There is no one person who doesn't have own problems. It doesn't matter how critical the actual problems are. All depends on how we take the matters and respond. I am also stressed and trying to fight with my ongoing depression time to time. However,  fortunately I have learned how to defeat the fearful feelings and push myself back up easier than before. It is excellent to hear that I look happy from people especially who are closer to me. This means my approaches toward to my emotional difficulties are working well. Therefore, I would like to share my methods to overcome daily stress and depression with someone who are having an uneasy time. They definitely worked for me so try them and I hope you feel better soon. 

1. Love yourself: Tell yourself that you love yourself everyday whenever you feel down or anxious. We all are born to be loved and deserved to be treated well. Very often we blame and criticise ourselves unnecessarily. Blaming yourself will  lead you nowhere. Be nice to yourself and nurture your mind in order to pull through the hard time. If you don't love yourself, who is going to love you more. Believe me that you are entitled to be loved. Tell yourself how much you love yourself. Loving yourself is the first step of healing.

2. Be positive: I know it is hard to be positive when you are stressed and depressed. However you need to try to be positive. Try to focus on good things what you have than what you don't have. Think about what makes you feel good rather than things what you worry. When you only focus on negative things, your world seems to be filled by darkness but if you move your thoughts onto positive things, your life is far brighter than you think. Look around and realise how many good things you have. Being positive has a tremendous power to overcome your emotional hardship.

3. Do exercise : Physical movements certainly help to manage your mood. Whenever I feel down, I run. When I can only control  my breath, there is no chance to worry about anything. This is not only from my personal experience. Many studies have found that regular exercise is one of the most powerful remedies to treat psychological issues. You don't need to join a gym or do excessive workout. Start with simple excercise. Walking around a park or dancing in your living room can be also good. Believe me. It really works.

4. Find out hobbies that make you happy : Ask yourself what you like to do and what makes you feel happy to do. I like to do painting pictures and writing  blogs like now. When I do what I like to do, my troubles seem to be smaller as my focus moves from the problems or worries onto the hobbies. Giving yourself too much time to think about problems wouldn't help you either overcoming your stress or solving the problems. Giving yourself chance to enjoy doing things that make you happy will ease your stressed and depressed mind.

5. Meet people who are positive : I know you wouldn't feel like meeting people when you are emotionally down but try to avoid being alone, and meet someone who you can talk with and laugh together. People's mood is contagious. When you are with people who are positive and energetic, they can lift up your mood and their positive attitudes may offer you some alternatives that you didn't think about. If you are still not ready for meeting anyone, read books about personal developments such as Anthony Robinson's books. They will give you a chance to review your ways to deal with your problems and find out better ways to handle them.

6. Let it go if it is beyond your control : Unfortunately (also fortunately) we can only handle what we can so don't get stressed or depressed by what you can't. Very often we put too much effort to solve the problems which are beyond our control and get exhausted and devastated by the feeling of failure. Believe me no one on earth can control everything so we are not the only one who experiences unbearable disappointment or stress. So, we need to learn how to let go the problems and relax. Don't forget that we can only do what we can.

7. Get rid of negative 'what if...': Avoid imagining or presuming negative scenarios and making unnecessary worries. I know many people who are suffering 'what if' sickness. I don't want to say that people shouldn't prepare things to avoid risks or difficulties but not reasonable worries will never help you anything anyway. Whenever the negative what if starts invading your mind, try to remove the thoughts and remind yourself that 'All is well.' There are plenty of things to worry in our life so don't try to add up unnecessarily.

8. Avoid comparing with others: Remember that we all are different so don't compare yourself with anyone. Frankly, I find it is not easy to control the feeling of resentment (jealousy). I quite often blame or push myself down by knowing someone else's achievements. I feel depressed and anxious by feeling of failure. What I don't have or what I can't have which others have can be stressful but this kind of feeling wouldn't help us to achieve anything or reach anywhere. We all are unique and special so there is absolutely no reason to compare. So, 'Be youself!'.

9. Look for a professional help : If you think your emotional state doesn't seem to be better or get worsen to control, look for a professional help. Many people think seeking a professional help is the last thing to do or shameful thing but it is absolutely incorrect. Appropriate advices and treatments from them can support your weaken mind before it gets really bad. They can offer good proposals that you can apply. I have experienced several times talking with them and they were very helpful. Don't forget to ask help when you need.

Are you feel bit better? Don't presume you are the only one who is having a hard time and suffering emotional difficulties. There are plenty of people who are living in the worse conditions and misfortune. Appreciate what you have rather than what you don't have. Life is not that bad as you feel at the moment and it will get better. Relax your sholuder and neck muscle and breath in and out slowly. When your mind is calm, look around your loving family, friends and colleagues. Life is wonderful, isn't it?