The Hills property: Karen D’Angola reveals top tips to get into the market

The property market is daunting for those looking at buying for the first time. But help is at hand. Here, a Hills property expert reveals her top tips for getting on the ladder.

A leading Hills real estate agent has shared her insights and top six tips for first home buyers looking at getting into the market.

Di Jones residential sales agent Karen D’Angola is a Hills local who has worked in the area’s property market for six and a half years.

Ms D’Angola said that the Hills attracted a variety of buyers because properties ranged from about $700,000 to more than $4 million.

“Those buying in The Hills for the first time can often struggle with the different price ranges for what looks like similar homes but they're in different locations across the same suburb,” she said.

Karen D’Angola reveals her top tips to get into the market

“For example, homes in the Green Road area of Castle Hill will generally go for a lot less than those in the older, more affluent areas like Balintore Estate, Castlewood Estate or Ulundri Drive.”

For those looking to buy their first apartment, she recommended looking at North Kellyville and Castle Hill.

She said: “There will be more apartments in Castle Hill that aren’t already built but will be going up fairly soon especially around the Showground area.

“And in that way, they would have good transport options. It’s a good entry level.”

Ms D’Angola recommends those looking to buy a unit to look at Castle Hill and North Kellyville

For young homebuyers with their eyes set on a house, she recommended looking at areas that were more affordable including estates in Box Hill.

“They can look around estates in the Box Hill area and places in Beaumont Hills and Rouse Hill offer smaller homes,” she said.

Seeing as Baulkham Hills was popular at the moment, she recommended new buyers to look at nearby Winston Hills where they could get “more bang for their buck.”

From making a list of what you need in a home to getting your finances sorted, Ms D’Angola has shared her top six tips for new first home buyers in The Hills.

Top tips for new buyers in The Hills

1: Have your pre-approval ready

So often buyers will come and discuss the purchase of their dream home with me and not have their finances ready.

Vendors will not wait for you to get ready with finances and there are too many buyers in the market right now.

Be ready before you go shopping. If you know what you can spend, you’ll also be in a good position to bid at an auction.

2: Don't be afraid to tell agents what your budget is

Often I’ll ask the question and a buyer will answer “budget is not a factor” or ‘I’d rather not say.”

All your saying to an agent is that you’re not serious. How can we show you the right properties if we don’t know what you can spend?

Furthermore, vendors will get frustrated if they prepare their home for viewing, only to find out later, you can’t afford it.

It’s not fair on anyone. Or you try to negotiate the price down to your budget. This is not the market to be doing that in.

Ms D’Angola has shared her top six tips for prospective buyers in The Hills

3: Compile a list of what you actually need

Make a list of what you need in a home as opposed to what you’d like in a home.

And ensure your needs are actually within your budget. Everyone would love a stunning alfresco area with a wet edge pool. But to get it you may need to consider a different location. What is your defining factor when purchasing?

4: Ask what’s really important long term

Consider the things you can’t change.

If being close to transport is more important for you to have a better work/life balance then maybe consider location above all else.

Remember you can’t change the location but you can renovate the home into your dream house as funds become more available or you get more equity in the property.

5: Be open to other surrounding areas

Often, we get caught up in a particular area because of its status or because friends or family live there. Remember they're not paying the mortgage and a relaxed life is more important than mortgage stress.

If you don’t have to be in that area and there are suitable homes not too far away, just give them consideration.

5: Like everything in life...play the long game

Consider areas that get good capital growth. What will a few improvements get you over buying the home that’s completely finished?

What will a good school zone mean for you over the perfect media room?

6: Have a chat with an agent

Finally, if you come across a good agent that you get along well with ask for 15 minutes of their time to sit down and go over the area with you. Ask what areas have had good growth, what developments are happening in the area, why does one part of a suburb cost more than another.