Many people think they'll never be able to afford their dream home and this belief prevents them from having the property they really want. When it comes to making a major decision like whether or not to move, it pays to know what to look for and to think outside your comfort zone.

LOCATION - Say your dream is to live near the beach, but you can't afford to pay the coastal living price tag. Consider looking at suburbs in the vicinity of the area you love. Many of these outside suburbs (some within a 5-10 minute drive from the beach) are the ones where prices eventually skyrocket as more people become aware of their benefits.

LIFESTYLE - Say you are determined to live in a home where you can walk to the beach but can't afford the 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom mansion you're accustomed to in the suburb you like. Think about the amount of space you really need. Perhaps one or more of your kids have or will be leaving the nest soon and you could consider downsizing in order to achieve your desired lifestyle. Or perhaps you could consider purchasing an older home that you could refurbish with relatively inexpensive touches like, paint, new flooring and window treatments.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR AUCTION DAY - When buying a home that's up for auction - did you know that around 70% of owners sell prior to auction day? Don't let the home of your dreams slip through your fingers. If you love what you see and have done your research, make a pre-auction offer, or have us assist you in your purchasing process with another company (this is a free service).

LOOK AT REAL FACTS AND EVIDENCE - The advertised sale prices don't necessarily give you the full picture. As a result, basing your decision on whether or not you can afford to move solely on these details could be the barrier that's holding you back. We can provide you with surrounding sales prices and detailed local data to support your decision.

UNDERSTAND THE CHANGEOVER COST - Too many people make the mistake of only focusing on the price of the home they want to buy and fail to consider what they could receive for the home they are selling. The more you make on your sale, the more money you will have to spend on your new dream home. It's important to get it right first time. We can help.