HOME-BUYING HACKS - READ ALL ABOUT IT

So, you're a first-time home buyer. You might even be a seasoned homeowner. There are so many little things to know, and that knowledge is invaluable. Your home is not only where you live - it is, in all likelihood, going to be your biggest investment.

When you decide to buy a home, you need to be armed with as much information as possible before, during and after. Mistakes can be extremely costly.

Here are the top 10 handy tips from those in the industry.

The neighbourhood: It's important from an investment, security, and community perspective that you choose well. You'll have personal reasons for choosing the area or road, and they should include good and bad elements like the proximity of schooling (if you have children), noisy highways, well-cared for verges and homes, security concerns, vacant land, and the general feel. A good, attractive neighbourhood means your property will, at worst, hold its value, or at best, increase.

Choosing your real estate property practitioner: This person will be your partner along your property journey, so apart from liking them and believing they have extensive knowledge of the area and property purchasing in general, you need to feel they're on your side and genuinely want to find you your dream home. You want to be able to lean on them and get advice about how good an investment this is, based on aspects such as prices of other nearby properties sold.

Ask all the questions you like. Chat to a few consultants and go with the professional with whom you feel most comfortable.

I want a fixer-upper: Great! But make sure you have all the information you need when you spot that property. What is the zoning and local building regulations, is it a listed home - you will have to apply for permission to make changes, and heritage homes are protected - have you worked through the substantial cost of building and renovations? Fixer-uppers are a terrific opportunity provided you enter into the transaction fully aware of what the final investment, both monetary and renovation duration, will be.

This is my Wish List: Clever idea but do be prepared to compromise. Few homes have it all - just make sure you have your main components of your must-have list ticked first, and that the home has the potential to add that pool or workshop you so desperately want in the future.

Money advice: When you apply for a home loan, your bank account needs to reflect stability. Avoid making any fast moves on that bank statement, because that will be the document which reflects your situation and your good sense. Debt, overspending or even applications for new credit will make your home loan application a harder road.

Be pre-armed financially: There's a wonderful tool called pre-qualification. Ooba is an easy, user-friendly bond originator that can assist you with your pre-qualification...and it's free!

A pre-qualified buyer tells everybody that your credit record is good, how much you can spend and your affordability level. It also makes you stand out in a competitive market.

It starts the home loan application process, so everything can move faster and smoother once you've found your home.

Is there a suitable time to buy? Perhaps, but given that the market works in cycles, it's as close to gazing into a crystal ball as you can get. Buy when you find the home you want. It depends on your reason to buy. If you are looking to make a short-term investment, then timing the market is important. However, if you are looking for your new family home which will suit your requirements for the near future, then it is more important to find the right type of home.

Hidden costs? They aren't hidden, they're there for all to see...and that's why you need to wise up on them. Don't make the mistake of focussing solely on your home loan repayments - there are others, and a good property practitioner will be able to guide you through those: everything from rates and utilities to insurance and levies. Never forget that a home needs maintenance, and this needs to be budgeted for.

You've heard of the voetstoots clause? Today, the law requires every seller to reveal latent defects (hidden faults) that they know of within the house. Hidden faults if you like, all in writing. There may be issues the seller claims he didn't know about, but if you can prove he must have known about the leaking pool, for example, you will have a claim.

When it comes to patent defects - those that are visible - it's a particularly good reason to go around the house with a fine toothcomb and familiarise yourself with those. You don't have a leg to stand on if you didn't see that very visible damp patch on the ceiling.

Buying a home is one of most exciting times of your life...if you go armed with information to help you navigate your way through some of the complexities of buying...and if you have a professional property practitioner by your side in which you put your trust, it can be a very positive and rewarding experience.