Buying your own home is generally a good idea, and if it's done in Austria, it's even better.
This is because it is a good investment, especially if you decide to buy a house or an apartment in Vienna. In addition to affordable homes, you can also benefit from a high quality of life and excellent medical care. Not to mention the wide range of recreational opportunities.
To get your dream home, keep the following things in mind: Mortgages, refinancing, insurance and loan calculators. The key to success here lies in the information gathering process.
Mortgages
- Mortgages are fairly simple and straightforward, with fixed rate mortgages being the most common. They can be used to finance up to 70% of the property, for a period of between 15 and 30 years.
- Of course, you can change this term through your bank. Another possibility is a loan with variable interest rate.
Start with a lower initial interest rate, but may be riskier in the long run. To get the best of both, you can choose a mortgage combination that combines the two types presented.
Austria – Realizing the dream of your own 4 walls!
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Real estate search
You have two options for this: either online real estate agencies or local real estate agents. Thanks to the brokers you can estimate the prices in different areas well, because they know the market very well.
You may also benefit from not having to hire a real estate agent. Sometimes sellers prefer to sell directly to buyers without involving intermediaries. In this case, you can check directly in the classified section of local newspapers.
Another traditional method that can work amazingly well is word of mouth advertising. If you tell your friends and relatives about your intentions, you can often expect some surprising offers.
Real estate agents
Local real estate agents can be very helpful in finding the best location for you. Not only do they have accurate knowledge of the market, but they also have a number of questions about the place and the area at hand that will help you a lot. You must also remember that real estate agents charge a commission, which is usually 3% of the property price.
To become a real estate agent, they must complete the National Certificate in Real Estate Brokerage and a demanding training program. In addition, they have the opportunity to join a voluntary association that provides additional training.
Viewing and selection of the property
With a real estate agency, the likelihood of wasting your time viewing properties you're not really interested in is very low. The questions you can expect are either related to your budget, how long you have been looking and what your requirements are.
Recently, online viewings have also become an important part of the industry. With the help of professional photos and videos you can get all the details and information you need.
The actual buying process
Now that you have received some general information about the most important aspects, we can move on to the purchase process. After you find the property you want, the process can take anywhere from 1 to 3 months.
Make an offer
This is done through your real estate agent. The offer includes a breakdown of the fees and costs associated with the purchase, also known as a cost breakdown. So that you know what to expect:
- Negotiations usually end up 5-10% below the asking price.
- Even a month can pass between the submission of the offer and the handover of the keys. Another important fact is that even if you only express your interest in buying a property, a verbal contract can be legally binding.
Make the down payment
After both parties have signed the purchase contract, the next step for the buyer may be to make a down payment. As a rule, this amount is equal to 10% of the purchase price. Money is held in escrow by the notary until the purchase agreement is finalized.
Arrange for an expert opinion
Even though construction appraisals are not common in Austria, they can be done as part of the negotiations with the seller. In plain language: your mortgage lender can demand a value appraisal, but not a construction appraisal. In fact, sellers are not even required by law to list all the defects in a property. Consequently, there is a possibility that they are not aware of it.
In this situation, as a buyer, it is best to hire an architect to inspect the property. This could even help you submit the required report to your mortgage lender.
Exchange of contracts
For the formalization of the purchase, the contract of sale is obligatory, which is drawn up by a notary public. It should contain information about when the transfer will take place and when the purchase price is due. Since it is not possible to withdraw from the purchase contract without a fee, the buyer should insert a withdrawal clause.
The sales deal
The final step is to register the property in the land register. At the same time, payment may also be due. After that, take care of things like insurance, utilities and telecommunications.