There is plenty of property for sale across Australia – but how do you sort the wheat from the chaff?
According to Domain’s advice editor Daniel Butkovich, the way you use a search engine can make a big difference. ‘Typing in the name of the suburb you want to search is the most straightforward way to find properties for sale, but there are other ways to search more effectively,’ he says.
Here are five things to know for your first property search.
1. Advanced search features
‘If you’re looking for a home in a specific neighbourhood, Domain’s Map Search allows you to trace the area you’d like to search in on a map,’ says Butkovich. ‘You can also search by school to find homes within the catchment area of specific schools.’
2. Keyword search
‘You can filter properties on Domain using specific keywords, such as pool, view or ensuite to find homes with these features,’ says Butkovich. ‘You can also be clever with your search, with words like “motivated” or “realistic” potentially indicating that vendors would be open to negotiating the asking price.’ Keyword searching is also available on realestate.com.au.
3. Creating a shortlist
The simplest way to create a shortlist is to bookmark the properties you’re interested in. But if you’re searching on a platform such as Domain or realestate.com.au, consider creating a login and saving your preferred properties on the website. ‘This feature automatically sends you alerts, updating you on changes to the price,’ says Butkovich. ‘You can also merge your shortlist with a partner to stay in sync across both your Domain accounts.’
4. Market insights
It can be hard to keep track of what’s happening in property markets, especially if you’re thinking of investing interstate. ‘Fortunately, property listings on Domain feature information about that particular suburb, including how median property prices have changed over time, and other properties in the area that are for sale or have recently sold,’ says Butkovich.
5. Domain for Owners
Using the Domain for Owners tool, investors and owner-occupiers can keep track of the estimated market value of purchased property and gauge current buyer demand in the area. ‘This helps you make an informed decision on what to do next, whether it’s to sell, rent or stay put,’ says Butkovich.
Searching with DHA
If you’re thinking of buying an investment property through DHA, check out the powerful search tool that allows you to view properties right around Australia. Features include:
Using the ‘Recently Invested’ tab, it’s also possible to browse and search for DHA properties that have recently been sold, so you can see where in the country your fellow investors have chosen to buy.
Ready to invest? View properties available to purchase now.
Attention: DHA does not take into account an investor's objectives or financial needs. Investors should always seek appropriate advice before making any investment decisions with DHA.