Buying a home is not only one of the largest purchases you're likely to make, it can also be one of the best long term investments - so it's important that you get it right. This means doing all your homework and making sure that the property you are buying is the right one in terms of price, location, value, size and lifestyle.

1. Speak with your bank or finance broker to arrange the best loan to suit your needs.  They will be able to assist you to ascertain the maximum amount you can afford to spend on a property.
2. Prepare a short list of preferred suburbs that best suit your lifestyle. Keep in mind affordability and accommodation requirements.
3. Research sales in those preferred suburbs.  Inspect properties in these areas so you have a feel for the price. 
4. Develop a relationship with a Jag Sales Agent.  The Agent will be able to offer additional advice and also alert you to new listings before they reach the media.
5. When you find a property that suits your requirements, ask the agent about all details of the property including boundaries, encumbrances etc. you should know and what is included.  There may be items in the property that may not be included (e.g. a particular light fitting, a fixture on the wall, microwave, dishwasher etc.)
6. You are now able to make an informed decision to proceed with an offer on the property through the agent.  We recommend that a building and pest inspection be a condition of the offer to make you aware of any major defects and pest concerns eg: white ant, termites.
7. Once negotiations have been finalised, you will be required to sign the sale contract and pay a deposit. Your deposit will be held in trust in a trust account until settlement. You will be required to nominate a settlement agent/conveyance/solicitor to handle the contract to settlement. 
8. 8. Advise your bank or finance broker that you have secured an offer on the property and that you now wish to make a formal loan application for the purchase of the property.  Advise your building inspector and pest inspector that you wish to carry out the necessary checks on the property.
9. Once all conditions of your offer have been satisfied your settlement agent/conveyance/solicitor will make the necessary arrangements to exchange contracts on the nominated settlement date.
10. It is recommended that you have a pre-settlement inspection during the period one week before settlement takes place.  This is to ensure that the property is in the same condition as when your offer was accepted and that all additional conditions have been met as per the contract you signed.  Contact your sales agent to arrange a suitable time to inspect.