Creating your property brief

Ready to buy a home? Do you have a property brief? Taking half an hour to create one can potentially reduce the time you spend scouring the market.

What is a property brief?

A property brief is a list of features that make up your ideal home. You and your partner should agree on what’s in the brief, then be prepared to share it with the real estate agents you meet while you’re on the hunt for a house.

The major factors that you should take into consideration will usually be:

Budget: Your agent needs to know the limits of your spending power. Provide a price range so you don’t waste time looking at places you can’t afford.
Style: Detached home, apartment, townhouse, unit; make a note of whatever your desired property might be and which order your preferences are in. You should also consider whether you want a newer property or something with a little more history.
Size: You will need to know how many bedrooms, bathrooms, living areas etc will best suit your family.
Location: Your agent might find you the perfect property on paper, but if it is too far from family, transport, or schools it won’t do. Let them know at least the facilities that you need nearby (schools, transport etc), and your most desired postcodes.

Beyond the basics

There is much more to your perfect home than these broad factors so list the features that will suit your lifestyle. Think about your ‘must haves’ and your ‘nice to haves’. Perhaps you ‘must have’ decent security but it would be ‘nice to have’ a pool.

The features on your property brief might include:

Off street/secure parking
Garden or balcony
Pool
Views
Security
Private laundry
Fixtures
Lift access
Aspect
Ensuite bathroom
Walk in wardrobes
Air conditioning

Stairs or unsecure parking may fall into a ‘can’t have’ category, depending on how selective you can afford to be.

When to compromise

It would be nice if your agent came back with an affordable property in the right area that ticks off every item on your features list. However, that is not reality (unless you’re really, really lucky or have an unlimited budget).

When it comes down to a final decision, you will probably have to compromise. Sit down and figure out what is most important to you and your family. Will you give up ocean views for off-street parking? Will you forgo a bigger garden for an extra bedroom? Having these discussions early and being clear on your priority will make things less stressful during your property search.

Talk to a Professionals agent

After you have nutted out the draft of your property brief, it won’t hurt to polish it off with the help of an agent. Your agent will help you to prioritise and to set realistic expectations. They may also have ideas you haven’t thought of and be able to share ideas that make sense for your family.

Generally speaking, sharing a detailed property brief will speed up your house hunt, as you will have an agent keeping an eye out and potentially letting you know if an off-market listing comes up that matches your criteria.

Sometimes, even though they are familiar with your goals, an agent will reach out with a home that wasn’t what you had in mind, but which is actually perfect. Think of your agent like a match-maker; they want to find your ideal home and sometimes they will recognise it before you do!

Contact the Professionals to share your property brief or get help creating one.