Buying a house is a huge financial decision, but it is necessary at some point in your life. In Australia, more than 67% of the 8.3 million households are already homeowners. Now, if you’ve been putting off this decision for a while now, here are some telltale signs that now is the right time to take that leap of faith and buy your own house:

You already have enough savings.

Buying your first home is a huge financial commitment, and one of the best ways to prove to lenders that you are capable of repaying a loan is your ability to save money. A good sign that you have enough savings for a down payment is if you have at least 10% or ideally 20% of the home’s total value. The more money you put towards your down payment, the lesser your mortgage—and its interest—will be. It’s also easier for you to get approved for a loan if you have more money in your savings, plus it’s important to have the extra funds for the additional costs you would incur during the homebuying process.

You have decent credit.

We all incur some credit at some point, but it’s also healthy to work on getting a good credit score because this is one of the first things that lenders will look at when evaluating your loan application. Having a good credit score also has its perks, including a lower interest rate from lenders and easier approval. So, if you’ve already paid off most of your debt and you are doing well with your credit score, then it may be time to invest in your own house.

You are paying expensive rent.

If you think about it, some rental rates are almost the same with mortgage yet you’re still not the owner of that house you’re living in. A lot of first-time homebuyers are hesitant because of the high upfront cost. But if you think about it, those high rental fees could be put towards investing in your own home. If you have enough savings in the bank to take care of the down payment, then it’s time to start finding properties within your budget through AVID.

You are ready for commitment.

More than anything, buying a house is a long-term commitment because you’re spending a good chunk of your hard-earned money on it, and you’re also going to live in the same house for the years to come. You might even start building your family and share memories with the most important people in your life in that house. Owning a house is also a huge responsibility because you need to think about upkeep, improvements, and a lot of other things. But if you feel like you’re ready for commitment, then it’s time to start looking for options depending on the house that you need and what you can afford at the moment. It’s all about taking that leap of faith, after all, and committing yourself to be a homeowner.

Maitland is a city with rich culture and history, and it seems to be increasingly popular with people from all over Australia. Moreover, it offers plenty of amenities, and fits into most people’s ideas of the perfect place to live in.

Curious to know what exactly Maitland has to offer, and whether it would be a good place for you? Keep reading to find out!

Maitland 101

Maitland sits on the Hunter River and is situated 166km from Sydney and 35km from Newcastle. The city was primarily populated by the Wonnarua People but has seen an incredible increase in population, spanning back from the early 1800s. 

As of 2016, almost 80,000 people were calling Maitland home, and that number has likely increased even more in recent years. 

The city is also somewhat sporty, as it’s home to the Maitland FC, as well as several rugby clubs.

Amenities

Maitland has everything you could ever need, as well as the amenities of other large NSW cities nearby. What draws a lot of people to the area is the abundance of shopping precincts such as the Centro Maitland Hunter Mall, Stockland Green Hills, Rutherford etc.

Maitland  is also equipped with great schools, across all levels of education, both publicly and privately owned. Perhaps most notably, it’s home to a TAFE campus, as well as the Hunter Valley Training Company. Thus the residents can send their children to good schools and enjoy the educational buffet for themselves if they choose to.

The Real Estate Market

To accommodate the needs of old and new residents, Maitland’s real estate market has had to grow and adapt many times over. As a result, the city is now able to house a lot of people, but that hasn’t left a lot of vacant land for sale Maitland.

Instead, we’re seeing a new trend where people are turning to suburbs near the city. They do so to be able to find more affordable housing and live in quieter, safer areas. 

Not to mention, Maitland’s suburbs are incredibly welcoming and offer a good way to live a more balanced life. Here, you’re able to enjoy the perks of living in smaller, tight-knit communities, while being close to all of the city’s amenities. 

Rutherford, Chisholm and Aberglasslyn are the most popular suburbs, while Waterford is one of the more sought-out neighbourhoods. 

The Community

Throughout Maitland’s history, it has become known as a place that’s very open to newcomers. Moreover, with the increases in population, the residents have become accustomed to meeting and welcoming new people, which is what draws a lot of people to the area. 

Whether you choose to live in the city or one of its many suburbs, you’ll surely feel welcome and at home straight away.

Final Thoughts

As you can hopefully tell by now, Maitland truly is a wonderful place to live in. The city has so much to offer, including a great connection to the entire NSW region. Thus, it’s perfect for working professionals, as well as families who are looking for an affordable place to put down their roots and raise their children.

Living in Melbourne is full of fun and exciting opportunities. But the real estate market can feel like a kick in the gut for those looking to take advantage of all the city has to offer. However, if you’re willing to step outside of the city bounds, you could find that the surrounding suburbs have a lot to offer as well.

To help you out, we’ve created a list of the top three Melbourne suburbs that can fit into anyone’s idea of the perfect place to live in. 

#1. St Kilda

There are several reasons why St Kilda is at the very top of our list of most popular Melbourne suburbs. First of all, it’s only 6km from the Melbourne CBD, allowing you a quick and easy commute into the city. Thus, a lot of people who are looking for a better work-life balance are attracted to the area.

Some of the more popular amenities available to residents and tourists are the Astor Theatre, Palais Theatre, as well as the historic Luna Park. Additionally, the suburb is home to St Kilda Beach, which is incredibly popular with both sunbathers and swimmers alike.

Not to mention, the suburb features a lot of great real estate, which is quite affordable and fits into most people’s budgets.

#2. Werribee

Werribee sits slightly off the beaten Melbourne path, as it’s located around 32km away from the CBD. That being said, with over 40,000 residents, it’s still one of the go-to locations for both travelers and would-be permanent residents. 

Some attractions include the Werribee National Equestrian Centre, Open Range Zoo, Werribee Park, as well as the scenic Victoria State Rose Garden. 

Werribee is also incredibly well-connected, with an extensive network of trains and busses connecting residents to the neighboring suburbs and larger cities.

Werribee is constantly going through development and growth and making way for new people within its neighborhoods. Not to mention, the real estate market is quite stable, with plenty of available properties for both rent and sale. 

Pro tip: Look into house and land packages Werribee, as they allow you to move into prosperous areas, at a fraction of the time and costs. 

#3. Richmond

This multicultural suburb is thought of as the go-to area to find entertainment in Melbourne. Additionally, Richmond is famous for shopping and football and is located a mere 3km away from the CBD. 

Another great advantage of Richmond is that it allows you to be one with nature, as there is plenty of greenery, as well as well-kept parks around. 

There are also a lot of local shops, cafes, and restaurants, so you likely won’t ever feel the need to go into the city. If you do, you’ll easily be able to access it, as well as other nearby suburbs through a number of train and bus lines.

Another great perk of living in Richmond is that the housing market is incredibly diverse as well. You can choose between picturesque Victorian homes and modern apartments, and you’ll easily be able to find something that fits into your budget.

Final Thoughts

You won’t have to sacrifice anything in order to live in these amazing Melbourne suburbs. What’s more, they’ll allow you to live a quieter, calmer life, while staying in an affordable, friendly neighborhood.