[NSW] House Purchase & Travel in Lockdown

sydney1506 on 15/07/2021 - 08:31

Hi everyone,

We have been looking for a house to purchase in either Central Coast or Lake Macquarie and currently live in Sydney CBD.

Our pre-approval is expiring soon and we would like to view a few properties. We've already missed out on a couple interesting ones since we've been very good with not leaving the house at all but we need to find something before our lease expires.

If we arrange appointments for viewings, would we then be allow to travel to them?
If the property is in Central Coast vs Lake Macquarie, is there a difference in the rules / requirements?

Cheers all

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • avoidfullprice on 15/07/2021 - 08:37
    +10

    Where do you live? Sydney

    Then stay at home

    Extend your lease, wait

      • Gareth on 15/07/2021 - 11:18

        So it is an option to {potentially} spread the pandemic to new locations and cause the deaths of others?

        • Geoff01 on 17/07/2021 - 04:49
          -1

          If people pulled there finger out and got vaccinated then it won't be a problem.

      • avoidfullprice on 15/07/2021 - 11:54
        +2

        Losing out on financial opportunity, I see that as not a need. There are a bunch of people missing out on income as a result of lockdown, and still not allowed to work and earn. They now apply for welfare.

        It is another story if you are evicted. There is a need to inspect a real property.

        Now Dr Chant discourages people from browsing in retail settings. I would say if you are looking for new arrangement setup when you are not evicted, you're browsing the market.

        But as the premier said, there is no real definition on what's essential, but use common sense. Common sense can differ between entitled people and others.

        So in reality, no one will allow or disallow your action. You just have to wear a mask and social distance. This is a factor why we are still seeing infectious people in the community.

        If your conscience says "oh, health order allows people's place to be visited, therefore what I want to do must be allowed" then no one else can convince you other wise.

        Good luck central coast on your potential visitors.

        • sydney1506 on 15/07/2021 - 18:07
          -2

          I never said its a financial opportunity. We need to move due to a financial situation and our current lease expiring

  • capslock on 15/07/2021 - 08:40
    +15

    Gladys is letting you decide if what you want to do is essential

  • Fredfloresjr on 15/07/2021 - 08:41
    +7

    Central coast people would love visitors from Sydney.

    • onetwothreefour on 15/07/2021 - 08:50

      No we would not!!

      I've seen people on my local facebook groups saying we need to close the borders between Sydney and the Coast haha

      • mskeggs on 15/07/2021 - 10:40
        +5

        Torpedo the palm Beach ferry!

  • Quantumcat on 15/07/2021 - 08:54
    +2

    Your landlord should be willing to let you go month to month considering it will be basically impossible for them to lease it out during the lockdown.

    • sydney1506 on 15/07/2021 - 09:14
      +1

      No, places in our building have been rented out very quickly throughout the pandemic

      • jjjaar on 15/07/2021 - 11:07
        +1

        Throughout the last 18 months of the pandemic, or throughout the last few weeks of lockdown?

        • sydney1506 on 15/07/2021 - 17:34

          Throughout and 2 places in the last 2 days

      • CheapskateQueen on 15/07/2021 - 20:10

        but your landlord can't evict you. landlord has to go to the Tribunal to get an eviction order.. which ain't gonna happen during lockdown

      • MrBear on 16/07/2021 - 11:02
        +2

        Unless you have already given notice that you are ending the lease (ie moving out at the end of the lease) which would be stupidity if you haven't already got a new place, then you will either:
        - get a new lease agreement with your landlord for a certain period of time
        - go month-to-month which is a normal extension of the existing lease
        - the landlord will need to give you notice (90 days) to move out

  • JelIyfish on 15/07/2021 - 09:02
    +3

    This is 2021, just buy online, you don't need to go into the store.

    • sydney1506 on 15/07/2021 - 09:14
      +2

      What store?

    • Nugs on 15/07/2021 - 09:29
      +5

      Free returns if doesn't fit?
      .

  • trustnoone on 15/07/2021 - 09:35
    +3

    Honestly I'm not sure at all, I'm interested in the same.

    Every single agent I've talked to though have told me that you're allowed to go out to view properties as long as its not a group session (so independent/individual) and masks are worn. But honestly I was hoping to send a message to NSW health or something just to make sure as agents say a lot of things and also wanting to be safe for me and others that it may affect.

    What they usually quote to me is:

    Visitors are not allowed in residences in Greater Sydney unless authorised under the Order for one of the following purposes:
    ..
    ..
    To view or inspect real property for sale or lease or participate in an auction
    https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/publ…

    • sydney1506 on 15/07/2021 - 09:41
      -4

      Thanks! I take this as a yes then

      • trustnoone on 15/07/2021 - 10:23
        +1

        Thats what I'm hoping so as well, though I don't know if that means you still have to be within 10km or not of your LGA.

        • sydney1506 on 15/07/2021 - 10:32
          +1

          My understanding is the 10km rule only applies to exercise

          • sagrules on 15/07/2021 - 15:29
            -1

            @sydney1506: I know the rule mentioned above, but that must've been there prior to the 10km lockdown rule.
            I dont think police who may stop you either way by randomly checking your licence will believe you and will get at least $200 fine.

  • brendanm on 15/07/2021 - 10:00
    +2

    Pretty sure finding shelter is essential, go for your life.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 15/07/2021 - 10:03
    +1

    TINLA but they can't boot you out on the day your Lease ends.

  • casho on 15/07/2021 - 12:05
    +2

    I bought a house during lockdown 2.0 in Vic. I used a property advocate to do it all for me. Saved a bunch of money also

  • orangetrain on 15/07/2021 - 12:12
    +1

    Best to buy properties during lockdown as deadly pathogens in the air only scare away health conscious people

  • rektrading on 15/07/2021 - 12:21
    +1

    Other reasonable excuses
    It is also considered a reasonable excuse to leave your home if you need to
    move to a new place of residence, or between your different places of residence
    https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/greater-sydney#other-r…

    Open inspections of properties, although inspections may be conducted by private appointment for one person only.
    https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/greater-sydney#real-es…

    Know your rights and follow the rules.

    • avoidfullprice on 15/07/2021 - 15:43
      +4

      Also from https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/greater-sydney#real-es…

      Last updated today

      If you are a real estate agent or a prospective purchaser and you live in, usually work in, or usually attend a university or other tertiary education facility in Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour, you must follow the stay at home rules.

      But again, don't let confusing rules stop a financial decision

      • rektrading on 15/07/2021 - 16:05
        +1

        It has been reported that the police are issuing $1000 fines. A $1000 over the lifetime of a mortgage is 10c per day. A property could easy 2x its value over the same period.

        It would be financially justifiable to take the risk of getting a fine for the potential gain.

        • avoidfullprice on 15/07/2021 - 16:16
          +2

          So don't worry about knowing rights and follow rules. Just focus on potential gain and accept breaking the law.

          Unsure if jokes or not. I take it as one. LOL

      • sydney1506 on 15/07/2021 - 17:26
        -1

        Don't cherry pick from the document.
        It also states: "although inspections may be conducted by private appointment for one person only."

        • avoidfullprice on 15/07/2021 - 17:29
          +2

          Who is cherry picking here ? :P A bit of confirmation bias even.

          Common sense tells me private inspection allows for people who live outside Greater Sydney areas, inspecting properties inside Greater Sydney, and then afterwards stay at home for 14 days.

          You live in Sydney. Clearly says you must stay at home. The link takes you to this:

          You must stay home. Only leave your home if you have a reasonable excuse. If you must leave home, stay within your local area. Do not travel outside your local area if you can avoid it.

          Limit your physical contact with other households. Restrictions on visitors to a residence have changed.

          Of course, we can further cherry pick and say the available property is outside your local government, therefore you're allowed to go etc.

          Again, health order can change tomorrow.

          • sydney1506 on 15/07/2021 - 18:09
            -2

            @avoidfullprice: You're missing the point. Yes stay at home orders apply but there are exceptions which you're not acknowledging.. and it also says do not travel outside your area IF you can avoid it which we can't.
            Anyways, posted a comment further down confirming details from Service NSW.

            • avoidfullprice on 15/07/2021 - 18:24
              +2

              @sydney1506: You listed pre-approval expiring, missing out viewing, lease expiring and financial perspective as your reason in your original post.

              With your lease I suggested extension as first comment. I also said if you are being evicted then that's a need. I have acknowledged exceptions.

              Mortgage pre-approval can be reapplied. Hardly an exception.

              Moving due to financial perspective could mean anything. Could mean opportunity, or could mean hardship. You wrote about missing out on viewings. So that's hardly reasonable excuse.

              Did I not say at the end of day, you do what you want to do. Wear masks and social distance. NSW Service replied just that. Didn't miss a point.

              You cherry pick a section of document, then tell me don't, is weird flex but okay.

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 15/07/2021 - 12:58
    +3

    Given that you cannot legally leave Sydney, your only option is to view online. Narrow it down to a few properties, and contact the Agent. Given this is a Purchase (and not a rental), they would do whatever possible to get your business. I am sure they would be able to do a tour via a Zoom meeting (as long as there is reception). The Real Estate agent may refuse to allow you to view the property if they know you are coming from Sydney (This happened at a local HN store last week), or someone at the office might dob you in.

    Keep your landlord in the loop, to avoid any issues with evictions etc.

    Be aware that Police are vigilant in the Newcastle/Lake Mac area at the moment, and are checking plates at random. If they detect the car is not registered to a local address, they can pull you over for a breathtest, and check your address.

    I am lucky in that my car is registered to a Sydney address, but as yet not been pulled over (I live locally in Newcastle), not that I have any issues.

    Read through what rektrading has linked above

    • sydney1506 on 15/07/2021 - 17:29
      -1

      Where does it state I cannot legally leave Sydney?
      It says you are allowed to leave home for house viewings

  • DingoBilly on 15/07/2021 - 13:37
    +4

    Lol. NSW is cooked with people like this.

  • SydStrand on 15/07/2021 - 13:53
    +4

    We've already missed out on a couple interesting ones since we've been very good with not leaving the house at all but we need to find something before our lease expires.

    This is a terrible deadline. Even if you get pre-approval, a million things can trip you up on the property hunt. There might be low supply, your family might not agree on a property, price could increase in the meantime, it might fail inspection, etc.

  • sydney1506 on 15/07/2021 - 18:05
    +4

    We'll just end this here thanks.

    Spoke to Service NSW and they confirmed:

    Allowed to leave for private viewing in CC and Lake Mac
    1 person at a time
    Must wear a mask
    COVID test only needed if moving into a non affected area ie: Lake Mac (not needed for viewing only)

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