5 Buying Home Tips to Gain a Competitive Edge This Spring

September 10, 2025

Spring is the busiest time of year for property buyers, and 2025 is no exception. With three rate cuts already shaping borrowing power, competition in the housing market is heating up. To stay ahead, you need more than just good timing. These five buying home tips will help you prepare, act fast, and boost your chances of securing the right property this season.


The warmer weather, fresh gardens, and the desire to settle before Christmas all combine to make spring the peak period for buyers. Experts suggest the August rate cut could push demand even further, so now is the time to be ready.


Here are five proven home buying tips to help you buy an edge in this spring market.


1. Set a time to review your borrowing power


Whether you are a first-home buyer or looking to upgrade, your borrowing capacity has likely changed with the recent rate cuts. It is essential to know how much you can borrow before you start house hunting.


Looking at properties outside your budget wastes time and risks missing out on the right home. Schedule a meeting with your broker to confirm your home loan readiness and borrowing limit. This will put you on solid ground as you start your property search.


2. Secure loan pre-approval


A pre-loan approval is one of the most valuable home buying tips. It confirms that a lender is willing to provide funds up to a certain amount, giving you the confidence to make strong offers.


With pre-approval, you can move quickly at open homes or auctions, knowing your top price limit. It signals to agents and sellers that you are serious, which could give you the upper hand against less-prepared buyers.


3. Explore more than open homes


In spring, homes often sell before they even reach the public market. Connecting with local agents or engaging a buyer’s agent can reveal off-market opportunities.


Share your budget and pre-approval status so agents know you are ready to act. This can help you gain early access to properties and avoid competing with large crowds.


4. Learn the buying process


One of the most practical buying a home tips is to understand each step of the property journey. The process can feel overwhelming, but having it explained clearly means you can act with speed and confidence.


The more informed you are about contracts, settlements, and conditions, the smoother your purchase will be when the right home comes along.


5. Buying Home Tips: Build your team of specialists


Buying property is rarely a solo effort. Beyond a broker, you will likely need a solicitor or conveyancer, a building and pest inspector, and possibly a buyer’s agent. Having these professionals ready means fewer delays when you want to move forward with an offer.


Your mortgage broker can provide home buying tips and connect you with a trusted network of experts who understand the pace of the spring market. Having the right team makes the entire process faster and less stressful.


Buying a Home Tips: Moving Quickly Can Save Money


While you should never rush into a property purchase, being prepared can save you money. PropTrack data shows that buyers in September often pay 0.23% below the annual average price. Buyers who wait until November could pay 0.78% above average.


Following these buying home tips ensures you enter the market ready to move quickly and confidently.


Ready to Put These Home Buying Tips into Action with Osinski Finance?

At Osinski Finance, we specialise in providing buyers with practical buying home tips and guidance to navigate the property market with clarity and confidence. Our services include home loans, support for those investing in a property, and tailored solutions for the first home buyer. From confirming borrowing power to securing pre-approval, we guide you through each step and connect you with trusted professionals to complete your purchase.


Contact us today, and let’s get you prepared for a competitive spring season.


Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to your circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.


Updates

Jump into the market up to 4 years sooner with 5% deposit scheme

By Dave Barbeler • September 10, 2025
If you’re like most first home buyers, you’ve probably realised by now that saving up for a 20% deposit can be a real slog. But what if we told you that you now only need a 5% deposit? And better yet, you could already have that amount ready to go now.

5% First Home Loan Deposit Scheme Expands Early: Will It Push Prices Higher?

By Dave Barbeler • September 3, 2025
The popular Home Guarantee Scheme that lets first home buyers get into the market with just a 5% deposit has been expanded sooner than expected. But an unexpected twist means first home buyers may want to bring forward their buying plans.

Refinancing Home Loan: 1,000 Aussies Switch Daily

By Dave Barbeler • August 27, 2025
Since February, three rate cuts have prompted homeowners across Australia to review their mortgages. Many have found better deals through home loan refinancing. More than 100,000 home loans were approved in the past quarter. This week, the ABS reported that 1.26 million home loans have been refinanced over the past three years. Refinancing first surged during the RBA’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023. Now that rates are falling , demand for refinancing remains as strong. In the June 2025 quarter alone, almost 100,000 mortgages were refinanced. That equals more than 1,000 home loans for refinancing every day, the highest level since September 2023. So, why are Australians turning to refinancing in such large numbers? Saving on Loan Interest and Cutting Repayments Through Refinancing The RBA’s rate cuts this year total 0.75%. That has delivered some relief. Yet many borrowers are achieving far greater savings by choosing a refinancing home loan. According to Canstar , a borrower with a $600,000 loan could save more than $12,000 in two years by switching to a lower-rate loan. This assumes they have not renegotiated their rate in the past three years. For many Australians, that is the case. A Finder survey also shows that over half of homeowners do not know their current interest rate. This lack of awareness means many are paying more than necessary instead of exploring home loans for refinancing. Accessing Home Equity Through Home Loan Refinancing Refinancing a home loan is not just about securing lower repayments. It also allows borrowers to unlock the equity in their property. Property values have risen 45% nationally in the past five years and are 65% higher than they were a decade ago. This growth gives borrowers more flexibility to use refinanced home loans to fund: Home renovations Children’s education An investment property purchase Debt consolidation at a lower rate Upgrading to a Home Loan for Refinancing That Works Better Many borrowers choose refinancing to improve loan features. These features may include: Offset accounts to cut interest Flexible repayment options The ability to split between fixed and variable rates A redraw facility for extra repayments If your current loan does not offer these features, refinancing could deliver more flexibility and long-term value. Why It Pays to Act Now on Refinancing a Home Loan In the last quarter, over 100,000 Australian families refinanced their mortgages. They secured lower repayments, unlocked equity, or upgraded loan features. Waiting longer only means paying more on an outdated loan. At Osinski Finance , we make home loan refinancing simple. We offer services in home loans , property investment , and refinancing your home loan . Whether you want to cut repayments, access equity, or enjoy smarter features, our experts compare hundreds of options and handle the process for you. Contact us today and let us help you find the best home loans for refinancing so you can save money and move forward with confidence Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to your circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.