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What can and can't be compromised when buying your first home?

What to compromise...If it's your first home, chances are it's not going to be perfect. But what really matters when buying your first home? Find out when you need to compromise, and when you should stand your ground.

Property outlook for 2010Australian real estate prices continued their upward trajectory in 2009. And next year will see many more would-be home owners enter the fray.

Early inheritance: buying the kids a homeWorried their children may never be able to afford their own home, a growing number of parents are putting their hand in their pocket to give their kids an early inheritance by buying them their first home.

What you can get for $300,000These days, $300,000 doesn't seem like a lot of money. In fact, it's below the median house price in Australia. Still, if you take a good look around properties with a practical view of value — and an open mind — you can find some great buys.

House sit your way to a new homeWith the first home owners grant nearing expiration, the attraction of building up a deposit as quickly as possible makes house sitting even more appealing.

Where it's cheaper to buy than rentBuying property is becoming cheaper than renting in many suburbs across Australia, research has found. Here we show you which suburbs are cheaper with our Price Mapping Tool.

Buying your second home, firstIf you can't afford to buy a house or apartment in a suburb you want to live in, why not keep renting in the city, and buy a holiday home instead?

Getting what you want at auctionThe basic ingredients of a property auction are pretty straightforward: there is an auctioneer, but as a potential buyer, what are you mean't to do on the day?

What to do if your mortgage is deniedA growing number of people are having their mortgage applications denied thanks to a sudden tightening of banks' lending criteria. What should you do if your loan is rejected?

Big, budget ideas for small spacesWhen it comes to buying your first home, having too much space is not often on the list of potential decorating problems. Here we bring you some great budget tips for decorating small spaces.

Mates rates: is buying with friends a good idea?For those seeking to get on the property ladder but can't do it alone, buying with friends is a hot new trend. But is buying with friends in the best interest of your investment — or friendship?

Sites to inspireBefore you tear out the sinks or buy that new couch in your new home, take some time to do some research and get motivated.Here we bring you our favourite websites to inspire you in your new place.

8 lies real estate agents tellAre you just putty in the real estate agent's hands? Here are 8 common fibs real estate agents tell, and how you can unravel them to negotiate for a better buy.

People like me: Alex and NataliaVideo: Buying a home is an important decision and purchasing your first home even more so. Alex and Natalia talk about their experiences buying their first home.

Should I buy off the plan?If you do your homework and everything goes to plan then buying your first home off the plan may be a good proposition.

Ten costly mistakes first home buyers makeBuying a home is an important decision and purchasing your first home even more so. Here are the 10 steps to avoid when it comes to purchasing your first property.

Understanding real estate jargonHave you just started looking for a home to buy and getting bamboozled by all the property jargon? Get in-the-know with our jargon-buster glossary.

Apartment living: buying into a strata planMany people love the ease that apartment living provides but it's important you know what you're investing in when it comes to strata plans.

The first home buyer's checklistSo you've been saving hard for a few years and you finally feel ready to start seriously looking to buy your first home. But where do you start?

Australia's best sea change locations

source:

The global economic downturn need not affect those in the market for a seachange, according to experts who've identified the top six seachange locations in Australia. The great news for Aussie families is, these hotspots are not only beautiful, they're affordable. Demographer Bernard Salt has applied the science of statistics and census information to uncover some hidden gems.

How to make a successful sea change

source: Rosalind Scutt

If you've ever woken on a Monday morning to feelings of stress, isolation or anxiety as you mentally calculate how to survive another week in the city, then you've probably considered a sea change. Find out if it's right for you.

Should I stay or should I go? Why we move or stay put

source: Andrea Sophocleous

Research ranks moving house as one of the top 10 stressful life events, up there with divorce. So why do people move? Here, we look at the psychology of moving house.

City vs sea change: what $600,000 buys you

source: Rosalind Scutt

If you've ever woken on a Monday morning to feelings of stress and anxiety as you mentally calculate your working week in an urban environment, then you've probably considered a sea change.

Off-market sales are on the rise,
leaving many buyers out in the cold

source: Barbara Messer

Real estate agents have always given their wealthiest clients early access to million-dollar properties, but the trend is beginning to spread into the middle-tier of the market.

House vs Apartment: which is really worth more?

source: Andrea Sophocleous

When it comes to buying your first, or even your second or third home, however, most buyers wrestle with a niggling question: what type of property will deliver a bigger return on investment in the long term? Should I buy a maintenance-free apartment and enjoy the comforts of inner-city living or save up for a three-bedroom freestanding house on a one-hectare block?

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