The First Home Buyer Smart Start Checklist
A structured, seven-stage guide to buying with clarity and confidence, from financial readiness through to what happens after settlement.
Smart Start
Checklist
Seven stages, one clear path
Not everything happens at once. This is where the checklist breaks the process down, so you can see where you're already prepared and where a closer look would help.
Financial readiness
Deposit, repayment testing at higher rates, and the buffer to hold after settlement.
Lending & pre-approval
Written pre-approval versus an indicative estimate, loan structure, and settlement cash needs.
Suburb & market fit
Comparable sales, property types, and the non-negotiables that narrow your search.
Due diligence
LIM report, title, building inspection, and insurance before going unconditional.
Lifestyle fit
Layout, outdoor space, school zoning, and whether a renovation budget is realistic.
Offer strategy
Setting a walk-away price and making the final call on evidence, not urgency.
Post-purchase planning
Ongoing costs, a maintenance allowance, and your next financial goal once you're in.
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Chris is a qualified financial adviser, operating under Guardian Smith's Financial Advice Provider licence (FSP1002543), individual adviser registration FSP1012174.
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Prefer to talk it through first?
This checklist isn't a score, and not everything applies to every purchase. If a few areas still feel unclear, that's normal this early on.
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