Settlee Agent Support Services

Pre-Arrival Preparation:

• Financial capacity assessment and budget planning
• Australian property market analysis for target areas
• Investment strategy consultation (residential/investment property)
• Pre-approval arrangement with Australian banks
• Legal structure advice (individual/trust/company purchase)
• Tax implications briefing for international buyers

Property Search Support:

• University proximity mapping and transport analysis
• Suburb profiling (safety, demographics, amenities)
• Property shortlist creation based on requirements
• Virtual property inspection coordination
• Building and pest inspection arrangement
• Market value assessment and negotiation strategy

Purchase Process Support:

• Contract review and explanation
• Settlement process coordination
• Legal representation arrangement
• Post-purchase setup assistance

Australian Property Market Overview

Property Types:

• Apartments/Units - Strata title, body corporate fees, suitable for students
• Houses - Freehold title, full ownership, maintenance responsibility
• Townhouses - Hybrid option, small body corporate, private yard
• Off-the-plan - Pre-construction purchase, potential savings, completion risk
• New builds - Immediate occupancy, warranties, higher price
• Established properties - Proven location, immediate rental history

Key Investment Zones:

• CBD/Inner City - High demand, premium prices, strong rental yields
• University Suburbs - Student accommodation demand, stable returns
• Growth Corridors - Capital appreciation potential, infrastructure development
• Established Suburbs - Stable values, family appeal, school zones

Pre-Purchase Requirements

Financial Preparation:

• Deposit: 10-20% of purchase price
• FIRB Approval: Mandatory for foreign buyers ($13,200 fee)
• Stamp Duty: 3-7% of property value (varies by state)
• Legal Fees: $2,000-5,000
• Building Inspection: $400-800
• Bank Fees: Loan establishment, valuation costs

Documentation Required:

• Passport and visa status
• Proof of income/funds (bank statements, scholarship letters)
• Student enrollment confirmation
• Tax file number (TFN) application
• Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) application

Legal Considerations for International Students

FIRB Regulations:

• New dwellings: Generally approved
• Established dwellings: Temporary residents only, must sell upon leaving
• Investment properties: Restrictions apply
• Annual vacancy fees for unoccupied properties
• Compliance monitoring and penalties

Visa Status Impact:

• Student Visa: Can purchase one established home for residence
• Temporary Graduate Visa: Similar rights, time-limited ownership
• Permanent Residency Pathway: Affects long-term property strategy
• Departure Requirements: Mandatory sale obligations

Financing Options

International Student Loans:

• Limited lender options (specific banks only)
• Higher deposit requirements (30-40%)
• Higher interest rates (+0.5-1% above standard)
• Shorter loan terms available
• Guarantor options (parent/relative)

Alternative Financing:

• Overseas bank funding
• Parent as co-borrower
• Private lending (higher rates)
• Vendor financing (rare)
• Joint ventures with PR/Citizens

Property Selection Strategy

Investment Factors:

• Rental Yield: 3-6% gross return typical
• Capital Growth: Historical trends, future infrastructure
• Vacancy Rates: Under 3% preferred
• Student Demand: Proximity to campus, public transport
• Resale Potential: Broad market appeal

Location Analysis:

• Distance to university (walking/cycling possible)
• Public transport access (train, tram, bus routes)
• Shopping and amenities proximity
• Safety statistics and lighting
• Internet infrastructure (NBN availability)
• Future development plans

Purchase Process Timeline

Pre-Contract (2-4 weeks):

• Property search and shortlisting
• Inspection arrangements
• Finance pre-approval confirmation
• FIRB application submission
• Legal representation engagement

Contract to Settlement (30-90 days):

• Contract exchange and deposit payment
• Finance formal approval
• Building and pest inspections
• Final FIRB approval
• Settlement preparation
• Pre-settlement inspection

Post-Settlement:

• Title transfer completion
• Utilities connection
• Insurance activation
• Property management setup (if investing)
• Tax registration

Costs Breakdown

Upfront Costs:

• Deposit: 10-20% of purchase price
• FIRB application: $13,200 (for properties under $1M)
• Stamp duty: State-dependent, calculators available
• Legal/conveyancing: $2,000-5,000
• Building inspection: $400-800
• Pest inspection: $300-500

Ongoing Costs:

• Council rates: $1,200-3,000 annually
• Body corporate (apartments): $2,000-8,000 annually
• Insurance: $800-2,000 annually
• Property management: 5-7% of rental income
• Maintenance allowance: 1% of property value annually
• Land tax (investment): Varies by state

Risk Management

Common Pitfalls:

• Underestimating total costs
• Currency fluctuation impact
• Rental vacancy periods
• Maintenance surprises
• Market value changes
• Interest rate rises

Protection Strategies:

• Professional inspections mandatory
• Cooling-off period utilization
• Contract conditions (finance, inspection)
• Insurance from exchange
• Professional management
• Emergency fund maintenance

Property Management Services

For Student Residence:

• Maintenance coordination
• Emergency repairs 24/7
• Garden and pool care
• Security arrangements

For Investment Property:

• Tenant screening and selection
• Rent collection and accounting
• Routine inspections
• Maintenance coordination
• Legal compliance management

Tax Implications

As Resident for Tax Purposes:

• Rental income taxable
• Deduction claims available
• Capital gains tax on sale
• Negative gearing benefits

As Non-Resident:

• Higher tax rates apply
• Limited deductions
• Foreign resident CGT rates
• No tax-free threshold

Exit Strategy Planning

Selling Requirements:

• FIRB compliance for temporary residents
• Capital gains tax calculation
• Real estate agent selection
• Marketing to eligible buyers only
• Settlement timing with visa expiry

Alternatives to Selling:

• PR/Citizenship pathway
• Family member transfer
• Trust structure benefits
• Rental continuation options

Settlement Day Checklist

Final Verifications:

• Property condition matches contract
• All inclusions present
• Keys and codes received
• Meter readings recorded
• Settlement statement review

Immediate Actions:

• Insurance confirmation
• Utility connections
• Lock changes
• Security system setup
• Council registration

Support Network

Professional Team:

• Buyer's agent/Property consultant
• Mortgage broker
• Solicitor/Conveyancer
• Building inspector
• Accountant
• Property manager

Ongoing Support:

• Quarterly market updates
• Annual tax planning
• Maintenance network access
• Refinancing reviews
• Portfolio growth strategy

Australian property purchase for international students involves complex regulations, substantial costs, and various restrictions. Settlee agents provide comprehensive support from initial planning through to settlement and beyond, ensuring compliance with FIRB requirements and maximizing investment potential while navigating the unique challenges faced by temporary residents. We particularly focus on long-term strategy alignment with visa pathways and education timeline.