01
Sketch the move before choosing the loan
Write down your preferred order: sell first, buy first, or explore both. Add any dates that matter to your household, such as a lease ending or a planned change at work. These are conversation starters rather than a commitment to a particular strategy.
Ask TSA which finance questions need answering for each option. Discuss contract and settlement arrangements with your solicitor or conveyancer. If the timing changes, revisit the plan before relying on earlier figures.
02
Separate estimates from confirmed amounts
Make two columns in your notes. One holds confirmed information, such as your current loan balance. The other holds estimates, such as a possible sale price or moving costs. Mark who will help verify each estimate.
- Current loan balance and any costs of closing it.
- Expected sale proceeds after selling costs and debt repayment.
- Funds needed for the new purchase and associated expenses.
- Money you want to keep available after settlement.
Your broker can help you explore the lending side. Property valuation, sale price and loan approval are separate questions; avoid treating one as confirmation of another.
03
Look beyond the extra bedroom
Use the inspection as a chance to ask about the property as well as picture your life there. Arrange suitable property checks with qualified professionals. If you are considering renovations, distinguish work you would do straight away from plans for later.
For strata property, investigate the scheme and ownership costs. For proposed changes to a home, check the planning information for the actual address. A suburb name or a nearby renovation does not establish what can be done on a particular property.
04
Bring a short brief to TSA
Tell us where you live now, where you hope to move and your preferred timing. A list of the questions you have not resolved is useful too. We can help you work through borrowing options and identify which parts of the finance plan need a closer look.
The first step can be a conversation, even if your next home is still only an idea.
