The Process is the framework used in order to project manage the finances, purchase and sale of properties when moving from home to home, whether upgrading or downsizing.
The Process co-ordinates between arranging the finance as well as assisting with the purchase of the new property and then also the sale of current property, all about being in control and providing the confidence to do so.
The Process is designed to be used when either Upgrading or Downsizing your property, generally buying your new home first and relocate to then style, market and maximize sale price on your existing home.
The perennial question is always asked “ should I buy or sell first?” . In this current residential property market demand is much greater than supply which makes it generally harder to find a property than it is to sell one. Without The Process, a lot of people lack the confidence that enables them to move forward with a purchase and hence don’t do anything. With The Process, its all about removing all of the variables, take the time to ensure accurate information and figures are used, not being too aggressive, and ensuring that any lending is done in a responsible manner which is about reducing any risk and stress.
We’ve broken down the buying and selling of property into its component parts, mapped and re-assembled under one umbrella. Whether a buyer, a seller or both, The Process is underpinned by four core Prinsiples:
Mapping each Process/stage from end to end means we’re able to better control the variables, thus reducing the impact individual elements have on their neighbours. At each Process/stage , The Process helps you understand what needs doing and who’s responsible. Understanding which elements are dependent on which others coupled with our extensive experience in real estate ensures that your expectations are managed. This means being open and transparent in our dealings with you – and you with us. And whilst we can’t control all the variables, The Process is designed to reduce these to a minimum. This reduces risk, increases transparency and in doing so, increases efficiencies saving you the client both time and money.
As with many things in life, it’s all about the preparation. Getting your finances in place before you start looking at your first/next property means that when you do fall in love, you’re in pole position to secure your dream home – no more FOMO.
Getting your finances approved before you do anything else can have a huge impact on whether you secure that dream. This stage of The Process represents a small fraction of the overall time spent when buying a property so getting it done first makes a lot of sense.
Understand what you can borrow based on what you earn, what you spend and the length of time over which you want the loan to run.
Adding into the equation the size of your deposit whether from savings, the equity in your current property or another source, tells you what you have to spend on your next property (including costs).
This is where the real hard work starts. Whether buying, selling or both, don’t sit back and expect things to happen. Researching your next property has never been easier but with so much data, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. As a seller, the question is how to make your property stand out. How do I generate buyer interest.
Understanding what you want from a property – as well as what you don’t – will help you narrow the search. Some things may be non-negotiable ie number of bedrooms, close to a schools, etc but understanding where there’s room for compromise ie swimming pool, modern/older etc will help in the decision-making process.
There are dozens of websites that all want your attention. Picking what to use is all about personal preference. Some just want your contact details whist others are more educationally focused, helping the buyer navigate the market. Be open-minded when looking. We all know someone who bought a place that didn’t make the shortlist first time round.
Online descriptions are designed to encourage people to view. You’ll soon work out which agents offer genuine property descriptions on their marketing material. Take a pragmatic approach when viewing any property – look past what’s currently there and think about what could be. Try to build a picture of the sellers. An offer based on an empathetic view of the sellers could secure the property.
Now that you’ve found your dream next home, you need to secure it. You need to show the buyer that you are the best person for them to sell to; your finances have all been approved in advance – including any bridging loan if you’re buying first; that you can meet their settlement criteria but equally as important, you feel an emotional tie to their property and will look after it when they leave.
You’ve spent the last few months looking at properties and now want to start offering. Again, preparation at this stage will ensure you’re ahead of the game and in pole position as a buyer.
In a competitive market, personal experience or recommendations are a great way of finding the right conveyancer or solicitor who will take your secured property to settlement. Having a conveyancer in place when you come to make an offer means you continue to be best placed for any seller and shows your keenness to progress the sale.
The hours of research you’ve put into this point now start to pay dividends. Balance the emotional tug of that dream property against the hard work you’ve done to date to establish what you can afford to buy under those market conditions. Remember, it’s all about balance.
This is literally where things start to ‘settle’ down; or at least they should do. The dynamic nature of The Process to this point are now replaced with structure and due process and is about efficiency and security.
Up to this point everything has been done by the rule book and followed best practice. Settlement ensures that all the necessary boxes are ticked and you secure that dream home.
At this point you’ve shown your commitment to the deal by paying a deposit, confirming your funding and signing all relevant paperwork. All things being well, you can start to look forward to getting those keys and making ‘that house, your home’. If you’re buying a reno, you may want to engage an architect or builder or speak to the council about options.
Before you do though, you need to ensure you not buying what you think you’re buying and not a property that’s going to cause issues and cost you money from the day you walk in through the front door. Again, recommendations from family and friends are always useful but providing these inspections are carried out by people with the correct accreditations, these services are more transactional and less emotive than with other services you’ll employee during The Process.
It’s the same when selling a property; it’s all in the preparation. We all love to show off our homes and it’s no different when it’s time to move. Decluttering and depersonalizing will make it more attractive to potential buyers, increasing the likelihood of a quick sale and at a higher price.
Although an additional outlay, we’d always recommended staging your property to look its absolute best. Employing a professional photographer will maximise these enhancements, creating the buzz all sellers crave. This approach helps remove many of the ‘what ifs’ and ‘buts’ potential buyers have with all properties.
Putting in the effort to create that emotional connection with buyers is a great strategy. Re-arranging furniture to optimize space and create a natural flow through the property or adding decoration to create an inviting atmosphere are great ways of helping potential buyers see themselves living in your property.
With your property looking A1, take time to choose the right real estate agent. Always get more than one appraisal and make sure you feel comfortable with the agent you go with - not just the cheapest – and very importantly, understand what is (and isn’t) included in their pricing. Do they understand the demographic most likely to show interest in your property? Are there other angles that could be explored?
Listing your property can be a tense time for sellers; am I pitching at the correct price, have I got the right agent, is anyone going to fall in love with my property? If you’re buying at the same time, your thoughts may also be focussed elsewhere – it’s all about balance. This is where your choice of agent will come to the fore.
This is all about creating buyer interest. Many people feel comfortable with a traditional real estate agent who’s a true ‘people person’. Others are using tech to specifically target buyers based on an enhanced profile whilst social media has become an increasingly popular way of raising the profile of properties, individuals and agents. Again, it’s about personal choice and recommendations.
You’ll have your own thoughts as what type of person/people/families will be interested in your property but be guided by your agent; they’re best placed to understand target markets and will be party to information you will not. Agree a plan of action and understand what you’re getting for your money. Ask those awkward questions because this is your property you’re paying them to sell.
This is when the preparation that went in to decluttering, depersonalizing and staging your property will start to pay dividends. If there’s anything unusual about the property that you know will raise questions, make sure the agent knows the answer. Anecdotes about the property and how you’ve lived there will all add to your property’s story.
Your viewings went well and generated the interest you were hoping for. Now you need to secure that killer offer. Your agent will know the buoyancy of the market and what to expect in terms of offers. You will also have your own thoughts on value based on conversations and a knowledge of the area in which you’ve been living.
You may have a number of criteria beyond accepting the highest bid; your own situation ie are you also buying, do the interested parties have their financing approved, are they in a position to move quickly if needs be, will they take good care of the property, etc. What’s most important to you? Again, it’s about balancing fact against emotion.
Regardless of whether you’re a buyer of seller, personal experience or recommendations are a great way of finding the right conveyancer or solicitor who will take your property to settlement. This is especially true if you’re looking to buy, sell and settle both transactions at the same time. Having an agreement in place when accepting an offer and making your buyers aware of this shows your buyer your keen to keep moving forward.
This is the most fluid point in any property transaction especially if you are both a buyer and a seller. But you’ve done your research and you’re better informed than you ever will be. The head says ‘accept’ - and so does your heart.
Mirroring the buying side, this is where things start to get a little easier as the structure and due process of settlements focuses on efficiency and security.
Settlement ensures that all the necessary boxes are ticked and that all legal requirements regarding the transfer of the property are executed.
As the seller, you may have criteria you wish to include in the contact of sale so that all partes now explicitly where they stand and what’s included and what’s not. At this stage there should be no surprises and everything that needs to have been declared has been declared. So close to the finishing line, it would be poor form for the sale to not complete based on a lack of transparency.
So this is it; time to move onto the next rung of the property ladder (whether up or down). If you’re still to sell and are renting in the interim, make sure you’ve thought about storage of your possessions. If you’re downsizing and have a surplus from the sale, is there a need to seek investment advice or perhaps rewrite your will? Worth considering whilst its fresh.
The buying and selling of property is complex especially for those buying and selling at the same time. It’s also highly emotive. We want you to fall in love with the house you buy, and The Process is designed to do that - no more FOMO.
Underpinning this is a knowledge of you as a person because buying or selling a home is more than just a transaction—it’s a journey to finding your perfect match. So whether you’re searching for your dream home or ready to take the next step in selling, The Process makes it all about you.
The Process help you easily create a real estate trading website. With the function Register, Login, Post real estate news.
Here is what clients have said who have already trusted ‘The Process’ with their property journey and experienced our service first-hand.
From the very first conversation, Colin and his team demonstrated what exceptional service truly looks like. They didn’t just guide us through the mortgage process — they transformed it into a seamless, stress-free, and empowering experience. Colin took the time to explain every step with clarity, made himself constantly available, and offered advice that was not only practical but deeply honest. What truly sets Colin apart is his genuine care and commitment. At no point did we feel like just another client — we felt supported, informed, and confident every step of the way. His professionalism, expertise, and tireless dedication ensured we secured the best possible outcome for our home loan, giving us peace of mind and excitement about our future. His knowledge and guidance gave us so much confidence, and we’re so grateful for the effort he put into helping us secure the best outcome for our home loan. If you’re looking for a broker who truly has your best interests at heart, we can’t recommend Colin and his team highly enough. Thank you again for your amazing work and support — we’re so excited to start this next chapter in our new home! From start to finish, the service from Colin and his team was absolutely outstanding!
Having known Colin for many years since arriving in Perth, and when faced with applying for a Mortgage, there was no other broker we would have gone to. Colin and his team gave outstanding support and guidance throughout my mortgage process. From the very beginning, Colin took the time to understand our needs and explained every step clearly, making what could have been a stressful experience feel smooth and straightforward. The professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to finding the best solution for me were outstanding. Thanks to the assistance and advice received we secured a mortgage that perfectly suited our situation, and we felt confident and informed the entire way. We highly recommend Colin to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and genuinely caring mortgage broker.
Colin’s support during my home purchase process was exceptional from start to finish. Over the course of more than a year, he patiently guided me as I explored my financial options, providing clear explanations and expert advice every step of the way. His depth of knowledge in loan structuring and his ability to tailor solutions to my individual circumstances were outstanding. What truly sets Colin apart is his commitment to his clients - he went above and beyond the typical role of a broker, engaging directly with real estate agents, responding promptly to every query, and even assisting with the final inspection before settlement. His professionalism, integrity, and genuine care made what could have been a stressful process both smooth and reassuring. I have complete confidence in Colin and will not hesitate to engage him again in the future. He is a credit to his profession and a truly deserving candidate for recognition.
I first met Colin Lamb when I was a single woman buying my very first apartment on my own, on a single income. From the very beginning, Colin went above and beyond to guide me through what Colin refers to as THE PROCESS, with patience, kindness, and care. He made everything easy to understand and took away all the stress and uncertainty that can come with buying a home for the first time. Over the years, Colin has become much more than just my broker — he’s become a true friend and part of my family. When I found out I was pregnant, he came to my baby’s gender reveal party, which shows the kind of genuine person he is and how deeply he cares about the people he helps. When my husband and I, now with two young children, outgrew that first apartment, Colin once again guided us through the next big chapter — purchasing our family home. With trusting Colin through “the process” he’s created a seamless experience for us, assisted us to gain finance and helping us to find the family home, taking the stress out of what can be an overwhelming process. Colin’s professionalism, compassion, and commitment to his clients shows through all the positive outcomes he has helped my family achieve. With out Colins help and guidance our dream family home would not have been achievable.
I honestly can’t thank Colin enough for everything he’s done for me over the past few years. It’s been a long journey to finally reach this point, and throughout it all, Colin has been nothing but patient, supportive, and genuinely caring. He always took the time to explain things clearly and never made me feel rushed or uncertain. I was always reassured and confident that I was in good hands. Colin’s honesty and guidance made such a difference, especially during moments when things felt overwhelming. He also has his amazing team behind him, Yen and Kaz, were always on top of everything, keeping me updated, reminding me of important steps and making the whole process feel so much easier than I expected. What stands out most is how much Colin truly cares about his clients. He goes above and beyond to help, not just as a broker but as someone who genuinely wants the best outcome for you. I’m so grateful for all his hard work and couldn’t recommend him and his team highly enough. I’m now a first home buyer and I couldn’t have done it without him.
Congrats to you Colin for being nominated, that's a great achievement. Please see below a testimonial Colin Lamb has been my mortgage broker since 2012 when I bought my first house. I have referred many friends and family to Colin also over the years due to his exceptional knowledge, due diligence and professionalism, of which they experienced the same results. He always puts you first as his client to find the best financial solution to suit your needs. I have used Colin also for my business financial needs when I opened my own business, and we have recently bought our family home of which Colin was the only broker we would choose to use. He always goes that extra mile, not only securing us a great deal with a bank that suited our needs but viewing the house with us and liaising with the selling agent to get us a property price we were happy with. His office team are also exceptional, always available to assist you and answer any of your questions. Thank you for continuing to assist us for over 13 years and for any future financial needs we may have.
Working with Colin and the team at Finance My Home has been nothing short of exceptional. From our very first conversation with Colin, we knew we were in exceptional hands. He wasn’t just a broker — he was a genuine partner, deeply invested in helping us achieve our dream of owning a home in Coogee. Colin’s calm confidence, unmatched industry knowledge, and genuine care transformed what could have been a stressful experience into something exciting, empowering, and seamless. Thanks to Colin’s dedication and expertise, we not only secured our dream home — it’s now worth over $400,000 more in less than a year, a result that far exceeded our expectations. But what truly sets Colin apart is his commitment beyond settlement. He helped us access personal loans at outstanding rates, allowing us to renovate and further increase the value of our property. Every recommendation he’s made has been strategic, thoughtful, and entirely focused on helping us grow. Colin goes above and beyond for his clients — not for recognition, but because he genuinely cares. His responsiveness, professionalism, and integrity make him stand out in an industry that often feels transactional. For us, Colin turned a lifelong dream into reality and created a foundation for our family’s future. We couldn’t imagine navigating this journey with anyone else. Finance My Home isn’t just a brokerage — it’s a team led by someone who truly changes lives. Colin is the reason we’re living our dream today.
We had an outstanding experience working with Colin and the team at Finance My Home. We have been working with Colin for over 16 years and continue to be impressed by the exceptional level of service provided. Their professionalism, efficiency, and commitment were exceptional, especially given the strict timeframe we were working under. They went above and beyond to ensure everything was completed smoothly and on schedule. Communication was clear and prompt throughout the entire process, and their expertise made a stressful situation easy to manage. We couldn’t be happier with the service and highly recommend Colin to anyone seeking reliable and knowledgeable financial support
The Process help you easily create a real estate trading website. With the function Register, Login, Post real estate news.
