banks to discuss finance. They also found a solicitor through the recommendation of a friend. They had friends who had been gazumped so they were keen to arrange loan approval so they could buy and not be delayed because their finances weren't organised. Joe and Claire contacted several agents in the area they liked. They arranged to look at a number of properties by both appointment and at open for inspection times. After nine weeks of looking at properties, they made an offer on a property and negotiated a sale price. They organized pest and building inspections. They proceeded with the exchange of contracts and after six weeks, they settled on the property. When the Taits picked up the keys to the property, they breathed a sigh of relief and vowed that they would stay in their new home for some time. They thought the process would be quite stressful. However their research and preparation made the buying process quite straightforward and they felt happy with their new home. First Home Owner Grant Contact the Office of State Revenue on (02) 9685 2187, or Freecall 1300 130 624 to see if you are eligible for the First Home Owners Grant of $7,000 and any stamp duty concessions under First Home Plus. Strata schemes Buying a property with a strata title differs from buying a property with a Torrens Title. A strata scheme is a building or collection of buildings where individuals each own a part, such as an apartment or