An exclusive guide to buying a new house and setting up the utilities

Buying a new home can be a daunting task, but it’s important to remember that it can also be an enriching experience. You’ll need to consider a few things before taking the plunge, like what your budget is, what you’re looking for in a home, how to change utilities when buying a house and where to find the best deal to connect electricity and gas.

The buying process takes time, so be sure to give yourself a break and don’t add unnecessary stress by trying to rush. 

When you are ready to buy a home, there are a few things you need to do to make sure everything goes to plan. Firstly, figure out what type of home fits your needs and wants, how much you’re able to afford, what kind of financing you are eligible for and who will help you in your search. The next step is finding a place, making an offer, arranging a home inspection, and finalizing the deal.

This is discussed in more detail on this page.

Considerations before you buy

You have probably already put a lot of thought and planning into buying a home, including your long-term goals if you are buying as a home or an investment, and how the purchase will fit into your overall plans.

Having a clear goal in mind will help steer you in the right direction for buying a home. Make sure you have asked yourself these key questions before you start your search.

Six questions to ask yourself

• Do you need a particular type of home?

When buying a residential property, there are a few different options to choose from: a detached single-family home, a townhouse, a condominium, a co-operative or a multi-family building with two to four units. 

Each of these options offers a different lifestyle and price point, so it’s important to consider what you want from your home so you can narrow your search to the right type of home.

• How much will the bank lend you?

When considering the price bracket for your first home, it’s essential to know how much a lender is willing to loan you. This will depend on your current debt load, monthly income, and job stability.

To apply for a loan, you will need to have a budget in mind for pre-approval. This will depend on the location you are moving to and the type, age, and size of house you want to purchase.

As a guide, the median house and unit prices in Australia’s capital cities are below:

Source: Domain House Price Report June 2022

• Do you have savings to put toward your purchase?

Although you may be able to get a mortgage with a down payment as low as 3.5%, to avoid additional costs, you should plan to put down at least 20% of the purchase price. 

If your deposit is lower than 20%, you will have to pay the lender’s mortgage insurance, which is based on the loan-to-mortgage ratio. It can be possible to avoid this if you have someone (usually a parent) who can act as a guarantor for your loan.

• Can you afford the kind of home you want?

The bank will offer you a mortgage based on a percentage of your income, but that doesn’t mean you should borrow that much. Many first-time homebuyers make this mistake and end up tied to a mortgage that is chewing through all their disposable income.

You should carefully calculate how much you will have left over each month after you make your repayments and pay your other financial commitments such as bills and loans. You need to be realistic about if it is enough to enjoy the lifestyle you want. A mortgage is a long-term commitment and 30 years is a long time to forego your favorite treats!

Also think about any foreseeable changes to your financial situation such as a change of job or career, parental leave, or other big purchases including cars, caravans, and boats.

• What features do you want in your dream home?

You’ve found the perfect house, but is it perfect for you? You need to make sure it ticks all of your boxes. Your list should include both big and small desires, from the location of the neighborhood and the size of the home to the bathroom layout and the type of appliances in the kitchen.

• Where do I find professional help?

Finding a great real estate agent can make or break your home-buying experience. They will work with you to find properties that meet your needs and are in your price range. 

They will also arrange property inspections and guide you through the buying process once you’ve decided on a house, including negotiating on your behalf and handling the minefield of paperwork. An excellent real estate agent’s expertise can keep you from encountering any problems during the process.

In addition, you should engage a mortgage broker (or approach the banks yourself), a conveyancer, a building inspector, and an insurance broker.

The buying process

The home buying process can be chaotic, with offers and counteroffers flying back and forth. But if you prepare yourself for the hassle (and the paperwork), you can make it through relatively unscathed. 

An outline of the process you can expect is below: 

• Find the right property: a great way to ensure a bump in equity when you’re buying your first home is to find a property you can add value to. It will help you get ahead when it comes time to move up the property ladder.
• Make a deal: when you’re buying a house, your real estate agent will help you come up with an offer that works for you. You’ll decide how much money you want to offer, and your agent will let the seller’s agent know. Then the seller might accept your offer or issue a counteroffer.
• Finance options and secure financing: to be approved for a home loan it’s essential to have your finances in order. It means having a good credit score, a history of on-time bill payments, and a debt-to-income ratio of no more than 43%
• An inspection of the house is always a good idea: no matter how perfect a home may seem, it’s always a good idea to have a professional inspect it for quality, safety, and condition. If any severe defects are revealed, you usually have the right to rescind your offer and get your deposit back.
• You are ready to close: once you have completed the inspection and agreed on a price, it’s time to close. It means signing a lot of paperwork very quickly – and crossing your fingers that nothing falls through at the last minute.

Congratulations, you’re a new homeowner – now what?

Moving into a new home is an exciting time, but making the purchase is just the beginning! Here are some tips to make life as a new homeowner as easy and breezy as possible.

• How to set up utilities when buying a house – this one is essential, we will discuss it in detail below
• Keep saving for major unexpected expenses
• Perform regular maintenance
• Ignore the housing market as the value of your home is constantly changing – the only time it matters is when you sell it.
• Don’t rely on selling your home to fund your retirement – keep on top of that Super!

Compare electricity plans (and gas if needed)

Moving utility services can be overwhelming as you not only need to find the best deal but also arrange the connections in time for moving day. Start comparing your utility providers up to 4 weeks before moving and contact the utility company to book a connection date at least 1 week in advance. 

Move-In Connect helps home movers by finding the best plan from our range of preferred suppliers, plus our experts know when to connect utilities when buying a house to make sure you have power connected without the hassle, so you can rest assured the lights will be on on the day you move.

Find a utility provider

When researching power suppliers for your home, there are a few key things to keep in mind. There will likely be more than one provider in your area for utilities such as electricity, gas, internet and Pay TV Australia. 

You will have to compare and select the best utility provider with affordable rates that meet your requirements. Some of our favourite options are in the table below (details correct at October 2022):

Book a new electricity connection (and a new gas connection if needed)

You’ll need to set up each utility separately or use a moving utility service like Move-In Connect to make the arrangements on your behalf. As a general rule about when to switch utilities when buying a house, give your utility providers as much time as you can, especially if they need to come out and set up service manually. You should give at least 5 business days’ notice.

Save on your gas and electricity bills

When you move, make sure you’re aware of the potential for additional costs. Some power suppliers may charge a transfer fee, while others may have set-up or processing costs. Keep in mind that you may also be charged for utility usage until you cancel the service. 

You can read more about potential fees here: Fees to connect electricity and gas when you move. 

The monthly average for gas and electricity

It can be helpful to know the average cost of utility bills in your state so you can see if you are paying more than you need to.

Source: Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) in the Residential Electricity Price Trends report. 

Source: Canstar Blue research, November 2021

If you are paying more than you should, call Move-In Connect to find a better plan and start saving today!

Tips to save on your new property electricity and gas connections

• Keep your energy bills low by controlling your heating – ensuring that they are set up correctly and programmed to the right temperature can save you a lot of money.
• Immersion heaters are a great way to conserve water and save money. It will give you enough hot water for the entire day if you only run it for a few hours a day.
• Use lighting and appliances that are energy-efficient.
• Find out whether you are eligible for grants and other benefits that can help you pay your energy bills.  
• Choose low-temperature and low-rinse options for your washing machine.

Tips to save on your water bill

• Don’t let the tap run
• Install a new, water-efficient showerhead
• Put a stop to the drips
• Make sure the load is full
• Shower rather than a bath
• Set up a water meter

Conclusion 

Home buying can be daunting, but with the knowledge and support, you need the process can be less stressful and you’re more likely to get the house at a price you can afford. 

When it comes to moving home electricity, gas, internet, and Pay TV give Move-In Connect a call and take advantage of our 100% free moving utilities services. Our team is experts on the process of buying a house when to set up utilities, how to find you the best deal on your bills, and how to arrange the new connections for you, all in one easy phone call.

Call 1300 786 045 or enter your details online to get started.