Tips

New business insolvency data is a sharp reminder for owners and buyers that the building industry is still operating on shaky ground across Australia. Those who want to renovate before selling, or buy land and then build, need to carefully consider their risks before pushing ahead. Insolvency data from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) shows 27% of some 11,000...

One of the most common questions I am asked is how to best increase the value of a property, with limited budget. Being rather thrifty by nature, I take great pride in getting maximum bang for buck. Here are the most cost-effective ways to get a maximum return in no particular order. Painting From around $3,000 a fresh coat of paint will transform a tired or dated property. Neutral colour...

Creating wealth for later in life is a goal most of us embrace and spend our entire working lives trying to accomplish. And for the vast majority, property investment is a huge component of their strategies. Many young people today feel the idea of owning property is beyond their reach. However, there are strategies to conquer the challenge of affordability, such as becoming a “rentvestor” –...

As we enjoy the start of spring, many homeowners will be working hard to prepare their properties for the biggest selling season of the year. Even if you've not made a final decision about whether to sell, there's still time to catch the market's spring vibes. It will not take long to prepare for your prospective buyers so long as your home is already well-maintained. In our area,...

When planning to sell your home, it's natural to want to understand the health of the real estate market and the likelihood you'll achieve the desired price for your property. Yet, for many owners, today's marketplace is difficult to read. Currently, we have high interest rates as the Reserve Bank of Australia continues to put pressure on post-Covid inflation, and still home...

Amid all the fees and charges of a home loan comes stamp duty. Also called transfer duty, this one-off state and territory government tax levy applies to several everyday situations, such as vehicle registrations and insurance policies. However, stamp duty is most well known for its application to property purchases, including holiday homes, investment property and vacant land. With the high...

When choosing a company to manage your investment, it's crucial to select more than just a babysitter or rent collector. The primary goal is to ensure your asset increases in value year after year through effective asset management strategies. Here's why. You're paying a management firm to oversee a significant part of your future income. If you only need tenant selection and rent collection,...

Settlement day can be a highly stressful, but exciting event, especially for first-home buyers. But preparation is key to a worry-free settlement day. What is settlement? Settlement day is the transfer of a property's legal ownership from the seller, or vendor, to the buyer, and usually occurs around four to six weeks after property contracts are signed. The vendor receives their payment via...

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned investor, or simply curious about the nuances of property transactions, the terminology used in the real estate industry can often seem like a foreign language, leaving many feeling overwhelmed and confused. This guide to some of the most frequently used terms has been designed to help you speak the language more fluently. Credit score Sometimes...