‘Most people have had a conversation before attending open home’: Agent says more people are getting their finances ready earlier

THERE’S been a stunning change in homebuyer attitudes in Darwin compared to a year ago, according to a local real estate agent.

MOST of Darwin’s home buyers are flocking straight to their bank or broker, a stunning change in purchaser attitudes compared to a year ago according to a local agent.

Real Estate Central sales professional Andrew Harding said most buyers he’d encountered had spoken with a bank or broker prior to inquiring about a home, prompted by a severe lack of stock currently on the market.

“This wasn’t the case 12 months ago,” he said.

“This time last year lots of buyers were out looking at properties before speaking with their broker or bank.

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“Now that the supply of homes has tightened up and buyers are missing out on properties, most people have had a conversation before attending open homes.”

Mr Harding urged buyers, whether serious or not, should speak with their bank or broker immediately.

“I am currently in the market myself to buy a home and have been looking for quiet sometime – I have finally found a property and I went straight to my broker,” he said.

“If you have started the process your broker will give you a good indication of your borrowing capacity and required deposit amount for the property you’re looking to purchase,” he said.

12 Orniston Court, Gunn is for sale with Real Estate Central. Picture: SUPPLIED

“If you haven’t found the right home yet – get a pre-approval in place so when you do come across your dream home you can move quickly.”

Mr Harding said the industry was still experiencing tough competition among buyers, with many people making offers prior to auction.

“Offering prior is not always the best way to go about an auction campaign,” he said.

“If an offer is put forward then you find yourself in a situation where everyone gets a chance to put in an offer and you have no idea what the other offers are. Waiting for auction day is your best chance of securing the property and knowing where everyone else sees value in the home.”

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He anticipated more stock to appear on the market in the coming months.

“There have been very few mortgagee in possession sales in the past 12 months,” he said.

“And I think once we see those properties in the market, it will allow more buyers to find a home and maybe the demand we are currently seeing could ease up a bit.”

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