Paula & Keith for Real Estate

From purchase to possession. We're here to help.

Congratulations on your new home!

Barfoot & Thompson have been helping Aucklanders into new homes for over 90 years, and we'd like to thank you for choosing to work with us on the purchase of your property.

As Auckland's largest and most trusted real estate agency, you can rely on us to help you throughout the purchase process - right up until the day of settlement and beyond.  The following information and suggestions have been prepared as a guide to assist you with your move and to make sure you understand your obligations and rights as a purchaser.  However, should you have any other questions or concerns please feel free to speak to your salesperson or branch manager at any time.

Good luck with the move!

I've bought a house, now what?

The deposit you paid for your new home will be held in Barfoot & Thompson's trust account for 10 working days or until the sale goes unconditional - whichever is longest. We'll work with both solicitors directly to arrange this and will let you know once the deposit has been transferred to the nominated account. So you don't need to worry about a thing.

The keys to your new home will be held at the Barfoot & Thompson office until the vendor's solicitor advises us in writing that the settlement has taken place. At this point they'll be made available for you to collect. If there is a chain of settlements that has to happen, you may not get access to the property as early as you would like on the day of settlement. We can only release keys to you once legal settlement has occurred and the vendor's solicitor notifies us.

What do I need to do before settlement?

There are a few things you need to take care of prior to settlement day.

• Make an appointment with your bank to discuss your financial arrangements for settlement day, and to sign the necessary financial documents.
• Make an appointment with your solicitor.  You'll need to arrange to sign the necessary legal documents to transfer the property into your name. Please note that you'll be expected to pay a proportion of the council rates.
• Try to transfer your funds as early as possible on settlement day. We can't authorise the release of the keys to your new home until the vendor's solicitor has received the funds from your solicitor and the necessary documentation has been arranged.
• Organise the move!  Arrange for someone to look after your children or elderly family members during the packing/moving process if required.  Book a moving company if you're using one, and start collecting boxes and newspaper to pack your things in.
• Arrange the transfer of water, telephone, electricity and gas services.  You'll need to contact your service providers to arrange to have all services at the property transferred into your name and turned on, on your move in date.  Connect now (www.connectnow.co.nz or 0800 443 136) is a free service that will arrange all major service transfers for you.
• Transfer any other services and organise your change of address.  See our handy check lists to make sure you don't miss anything.
• Arrange insurance for your new property. This should commence on possession day.

And remember, if you have any questions at all about your responsibilities prior to settlement date, call us anytime - we're here to help.

What are my legal responsibilities and rights as a purchaser?

On the day you bought your new home, you signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement.  With all the excitement of the purchase you may not have taken it all in - so we've pulled out the key information to remind you of your obligations.

Possession

• If the property is tenanted, you may have arranged with the vendor that the tenants stay on under your ownership.  If so, this should have been included in the Sale and Purchase Agreement.  If not, the vendor must ensure the property is vacant on settlement date.
• If the property is sold with vacant possession, then you (or anyone authorised by you in writing) are entitled to complete a property check prior to settlement.  This gives you a chance to check the condition of the property, including the chattels and fixtures that are included in the sale.  You must give the vendor reasonable notice for this visit.
• On the day of possession, the vendor must make all keys available to you - including all exterior door keys, electronic door openers and keys or codes to any alarms on the property.  If the property is tenanted, however, these items will remain with the tenants(s).

Risk and Insurance

• In between the date of sale and the date of settlement, the property and chattels remain in the vendors name.  This means they are responsible for any damage that may occur between the sale and the settlement date. If damage does occur, beyond fair wear and tear, you are entitled to compensation from the vendor.

Your move checklists

We've put together some simple checklists to make sure your move goes as smoothly as possible.

Notify your change of address with the following parties.

• Barfoot & Thompson
• New Zealand Post for mail direction
• Your bank
• The IRD
• Your children's schools
• Doctor, dentist and other medical practitioners
• The local authority or council - rates
• Stores where you charge accounts
• Your hire purchase company
• Publications you subscribe to
• Your insurance company to transfer you household insurance, car, contents and/or heath insurance
• Relative, friends
• Local club memberships
• Your solicitor

Transfer the following services and make sure they're set up for the day you move in.

• Gas and power
• Alarm monitoring
• Telephone
• Internet connection
• Water
• Sky TV
• Newspaper delivery
• Lawn mowing/garden services

When the big day comes around, make sure you're as prepared as possible - whether you're using a moving company or friends and family are helping out.

• Remove all fixtures and fittings from walls
• Disconnect your washing machine and drain the water
• Check the tops of wardrobes and in the attic/basement for any forgotten belong
• Don't put breakables or liquids in drawers to be moved
• Don't polish furniture prior to moving it - it's more likely to be dropped when slippery!
• Keep any jewellery, money, passports, legal documents or insurance policies with you.