It is one of the biggest decisions of your life - choosing the right house to buy, especially when it is your first home. This checklist gives you a heads-up on what you need to know and consider before leaping in and purchasing. Searching for a home can be achieved many ways: The internet. Newspapers (local and metropolitan) Real estate agents’ windows and publications. Friends and neighbours. Driving around suburbs you’re interested in. Realestate.com.au’s search for a home feature allows you to effortlessly hunt for a property online using a variety of search criteria – specified by you. Think about what is important to you and what you are genuinely looking for from a property. This could include: Are you single or in a relationship? Are you planning a family? Are street appeal and the surrounding neighbourhood aesthetics important to you?