Buying A Home Before Christmas
Hoping to celebrate Christmas in your new home? Follow these four simple steps to plan your purchase, organise the key dates and get ready for moving day.
Whether you’re buying your first home, upsizing or downsizing on the Redcliffe Peninsula, this guide will help you understand what to organise. It’s suitable for cash buyers and those considering a home loan.
1. Know Your Budget
Confirm your purchase budget and allow for the costs involved in buying and moving. These may include legal fees, stamp duty, property inspections, insurance and removalists.
If you need a loan, speak with a mortgage broker or lender early about your options and the time needed to organise approval.
If you’re buying with cash, ask your solicitor when your deposit and remaining purchase funds need to be available.
2. Lock In Your Dates
Once you find your home, tell your agent that you would like to move in before Christmas. Your agent can discuss the proposed settlement date with the seller.
Have your solicitor review the contract and explain the important dates before you sign. If you’re using finance, check that your lender can work towards the proposed timing.
Allow time between settlement and Christmas to organise your move and get comfortable in your new place.
3. Get Ready For Settlement
Settlement is when the purchase is completed and ownership of the home transfers to you.
Your solicitor will guide you through the paperwork and explain what needs to happen before that date. Ask about property inspections, contract deadlines, payment arrangements and when your insurance should begin.
Complete documents promptly and keep in touch with your agent and solicitor. If you’re borrowing, respond to requests from your broker or lender as well.
4. Plan Your Moving Day
With your purchase progressing, start organising the practical details:
- Arrange a final inspection with your agent.
- Confirm when you can collect the keys and move in.
- Book your removalists.
- Organise electricity and internet connections.
- Update your address with essential providers.
- Plan for children and pets on moving day.
- Pack a first-night box with the essentials.
- Check holiday opening hours and contact details.
Confirm your moving arrangements before making bookings that cannot be changed.
Planning To Settle Before Christmas 2026?
If you’re working towards settlement on Friday 18 December 2026, these examples show how the dates could line up:
| Time From Contract To Settlement | Example Contract Date | Planned Settlement |
|---|---|---|
| 45 calendar days | 3 November 2026 | 18 December 2026 |
| 30 calendar days | 18 November 2026 | 18 December 2026 |
These are planning examples, rather than guaranteed deadlines. Your dates need to suit the contract, the seller and everyone involved in completing the purchase. Confirm them with your agent and solicitor, and your lender if needed.
Allow extra time for holiday closures and moving arrangements.
Considering A Home Loan?
Our borrowing-capacity calculator can give you an estimate of how much you could borrow. A mortgage broker or lender can then help you explore your options.
Calculator results are estimates and do not represent loan approval.
Find Your New Place
Looking for a home in Redcliffe, Scarborough, Newport, Margate, Woody Point, Clontarf or the surrounding Moreton Bay area?
Explore our current properties and speak with the Place Redcliffe Peninsula team about your plans and preferred moving date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a home and move in before Christmas?
It may be possible, depending on when you find a property, the settlement date agreed with the seller and the steps needed to complete your purchase. Let your agent know your preferred moving date early.
Does this guide apply to cash buyers?
Yes. Cash buyers still need to organise their contract, inspections, purchase funds, settlement and moving arrangements. The home-loan information only applies if you’re considering finance.
Are settlement day and moving day the same?
They can be, but you should confirm this with your agent and solicitor. Your contract and handover arrangements determine when you can collect the keys and move into the property.
