We spoke to some of the big names who are now in real estate and asked them to share their top tips on how to win your next big home trade.

CAMERON MOONEY

Ray White rural Victoria agent, former North Melbourne and Geelong premiership footballer

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Check out the playing field:
Know the value of the area you’re looking in. Don’t look at what’s for sale – just because it’s for sale at a certain price doesn’t mean it’s worth that. You’re better off looking at similar properties that have sold in the past 12, or even six months, as this will give you a good indication of sale prices.

Don’t lowball: The worst thing you can do is lowball a vendor. If you come in with an offer at a respectable price, vendors are a
lot more willing to accept something that’s reasonable – even if there’s an auction scheduled, vendors would prefer to sell it quickly.

It’s go time: If you feel confident, now is the time to buy. Interest rates have scared people away over the past 12 months but I don’t think they’re going to fluctuate or go up this spring.

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JAMIE CHARMAN

Charman Property Co. director, former Brisbane Lions premiership footballer

Footballer Jamie Charman.

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Understand your turf: Spend a few months going to auctions and open homes in your area. It’s important to know the sales in the suburbs you want to buy in so you’re not overpaying.

Get around your finances: Know your maximum budget. It’s amazing how many times we secure homes over other buyers because our finance terms on the contract are better.

Look up: There are great sites like Develo.com.au that can help you find out where the sewage and utilities are on the block and whether the block floods.

Bring in the big guns: Pay a professional to represent you at an auction. A buyer’s agent can also help you to find off market homes you won’t see online, and guide you through the sale process to ensure you’re not overpaying.

DENIS PAGAN

Pagan Real Estate founder, former VFL player at North Melbourne and South Melbourne (now Sydney Swans), and two time AFL premiership coach at North Melbourne

Dual AFL premiership coach-turned-real estate agent Denis Pagan. Pic: Michael Klein

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Do your homework: Do everything you possibly can in terms of checks. Get a termite check and get the plumbing and electricals checked. It’ll help you be more confident when bidding.

Stick to your game plan: Winning a Grand Final is about doing the basics over and over, that’s the most important thing. And it’s the same for home buying. Every time you inspect a home ask the same questions, get the same details.

Be on the mark: I have seen a lot of auctions, and the people who are the most confident always seem to do better. If it’s down to two people with the same budget, being quick to respond can sometimes intimidate people.

Be better than the opposition: At the end of the day, if you have more money you will come out on top. Do your due diligence and make sure you know what the home is really worth.

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ANDREW LEONCELLI

APL Developments managing director, former Melbourne football club player and director

Andrew Leoncelli in action in 2002 for Melbourne v Western Bulldogs.

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Consider new talent: Off-the-plan homes offer the latest luxuries, usually have limited maintenance and you can lock up and leave when you want to go on holiday. With high levels of immigration, affluent new arrivals are seeking relatively new homes close to key amenities and city centres, adding desirable investment attributes.

Make it your own: If you do buy off the plan, pick a project where the developer is open to reasonable levels of customisation and use that to boost storage – especially if you’re downsizing.

Time your run: For those looking to buy their first home, having a future deadline to save towards can be a powerful motivation – and put a light at the end of the tunnel for the rental crisis. For downsizers and upsizers, buying off the plan will allow you to lock in a price today in a potentially more challenged market before selling at a better time in the market cycle.

Tag key amenities: Look for homes that are near lifestyle features including parks and beaches. Aim for a blue-chip suburb, ideally one in the private school belts. But think about who might rent your home or who would buy it from you down the track. Downsizers love being close to restaurants and cafes, while younger buyers like proximity to public transport.

JOHN ROMBOTIS

OBrien Keysborough auctioneer, former Fitzroy (now Brisbane Lions), Port Adelaide and Richmond footballer

John Rombotis in action for Fitzroy in 1996.

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Choose the right game time: There’s a lot of buyer demand in February/March and November/December, so those are good times to sell. If you’re buying though, try to avoid these months as that’s when competition is high.

Avoid main roads: If you’re buying a house or townhouse, try to avoid buying on a main road as this decreases the value if you try to sell in the future.

Go for the goal: When you bid at an auction, you need to have a strategy
in mind and then just go for it. Be
bold, be strong and be knowledgeable – get an agent that you know to give
you their advice and any strategies
prior to the auction, and be a confident bidder.

Don’t be too picky: If it ticks seven out of 10 of your criteria boxes and you see potential, it’s worth buying. You’ll likely live there for the next 10 years anyway and you can renovate over time.

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