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The Blog

Alternative growth areas for real estate investors

May 11, 2021

Real Estate News and Advice

Traditional investment areas, such as commercial property and residential developments, are enhanced by opportunities in future growth markets. Research conducted by The Intelligence Lab and Knight Frank uncovered several key trends in global real estate investment that are gathering steam in Australia and New Zealand. These include: Trailer parks Investment in high-end trailer parks gathered […]

Strata inspection reports – the inside knowledge

May 10, 2021

Real Estate News and Advice

“Buyer beware” is one of the most commonly used phrases in property, and it’s just as important to heed if you’re considering purchasing an apartment or villa unit as it is for houses. That’s where a strata inspection report – otherwise known as a strata search or Owners Corporation Records Inspection – can prove invaluable […]

Buying off the plan: positives and checkpoints

May 6, 2021

Real Estate News and Advice

On paper, buying a property off the plan can be an extremely profitable experience. However, as with any new acquisition, particularly when sight unseen, an internal radar and thorough research are required.  Mostly offered in new and refurbished apartment and townhouse projects, off-the-plan developments reward forward-thinking buyers with considerable stamp duty concessions (the earlier you […]

Cashing in on the mortgage boom

May 4, 2021

Real Estate News and Advice

Broker-originated home loans reached record highs towards the end of 2020, according to mortgage broker eChoice. Data commissioned by the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia and researched by CoreLogic estimated that $57.47 billion of new loans were settled by 18 leading aggregators. “With great wealth comes great responsibility,” Bill Gates famously quipped. So, how […]

What to look for in a home inspection

May 3, 2021

Real Estate News and Advice

When buying a property, doing your homework is all-important. An initial home inspection is the first step. But where do you start and what should you inspect?   Tick all the right boxes for legal clarity and peace of mind with our must-do checklist for home inspections. Inspection checklist  Ensuring that the property is sound and […]

Buying property through self-managed super funds: what you need to know

April 27, 2021

Real Estate News and Advice

If you’re considering setting up a self-managed super fund (SMSF) to invest in residential property, it’s important to understand the rules, risks and costs involved. An SMSF is just that, but there’s more than one manager and multifarious financial commitments, legalities and responsibilities. The Australian Taxation Office states that the difference between an SMSF and […]

Using free market appraisals to your advantage

April 22, 2021

Real Estate News and Advice

Go to your letterbox and, most weeks, householders will find an offer of a free market appraisal from one or more real estate agents.  Designed primarily as the first contact point in what agents hope is a lifelong relationship, the obligation-free quote can be a positive experience for interested parties, depending on how it is […]

Child-proofing your home

April 20, 2021

Real Estate News and Advice

Bringing up babies and toddlers is challenging enough in the outside world. Your number one asset warrants the highest level of protection in all environments, but particularly on the home front. Help is at hand With sound advice, the right safety measures and surveying your young charge under an ever-watchful eye, you can safeguard your […]

Bridging finance: what it is and how to use it

April 19, 2021

Real Estate News and Advice

Imagine that your dream home is up for sale and you can’t live without it.  The only problem is that your current home isn’t even on the market, never mind sold.  But don’t lose hope. Bridging finance can be the answer to your property aspirations, provided you meet certain criteria. Bridging finance or a bridge […]

Practise makes perfect before committing to a loan

April 13, 2021

Real Estate News and Advice

Buyers are being warned not to succumb to temptation and borrow beyond their means. As record-low interest rates in Australia attract first-time buyers to the property market at their highest level in years, the Federal Government is relaxing the responsible lending laws in place since the global financial crisis of 2008. The free flow of […]

Homebuyer must-haves: the 2021 top 10 wish list

April 12, 2021

Real Estate News and Advice

The COVID pandemic and its extended lockdown periods have altered the way most people live and their must-have qualities when buying a property.  Expectations have drastically changed, resulting in conditions that were favourable to buyers but now are equally rewarding for vendors.  Careful research and advice from industry experts culminate in the top 10 qualities […]

Bidding to win at auction, regardless of the outcome

April 8, 2021

Real Estate News and Advice

Whether you’re bidding for a prized piece of real estate or rare work of art, auction results — on the surface — can be a triumph or travesty. The outcome should always depend on the financial discrepancy, rather than an emotional attachment. But how do you navigate the adrenaline-charged auction environment without overpaying, overplaying or […]

The upsides of downsizing

April 6, 2021

Real Estate News and Advice

The thought of exchanging the maintenance of a larger home for a hassle-free future full of travel, friends and newfound freedom is a common aspirant for downsizers on the move. Given the ideal replacement residence, more than half of Australians and New Zealanders aged over 55 are open to downsizing opportunities, according to Australian Housing […]

Impact of strata on Australian and New Zealand markets

April 5, 2021

Real Estate News and Advice

The concept of strata or unit title is relatively new. Strata title came into being around 50 years ago and, according to the Strata Community Association (SCA), and other research, there are an estimated 270,000 such schemes encompassing more than 2 million land lots (with strata and community titles potentially closer to 3 million) in […]

How to create a portable vertical garden

April 1, 2021

Real Estate News and Advice

Vertical walls of decorative vegetation have been popular in Europe and other countries with high-density cities, where ground cover is at a premium, for years. Professional installations on a large scale — such as the 24-storey Tree House in Singapore, Patrick Blanc’s CaixaForum in Madrid, the towering green wall at One Central Park in Sydney […]

Safe as houses: securing your home for holiday enjoyment

March 30, 2021

Real Estate News and Advice

Prevention is always better than cure, especially in the case of potential home burglaries. Are you planning an Easter getaway or a future holiday? If you’d prefer not to use a housesitter while you’re away, you should follow our home-security checklist.    For example, is your home-security system being used for the purpose it was designed? […]

Prime selling seasons

March 29, 2021

Real Estate News and Advice

Real estate auctions across Australia and New Zealand operate year-round, but certain sales periods, including holiday seasons, can prove more beneficial for prices and property values.  When is the best time to sell? The Easter, Christmas and New Year periods are traditionally key times for taking a break. However, the property market rarely rests. Real estate calendar […]

Realising the dream of overseas real estate

March 25, 2021

Real Estate News and Advice

Dreaming of a chateau in the south of France, coastal villa in Italy or even a hideaway in neighbouring New Zealand? Investing in foreign property often evokes dream-like scenarios, but the reality can vary markedly from idyllic visions. Australians citizens are permitted to buy property in New Zealand, with around 60,000 Australians calling New Zealand […]

Pet ownership: what you can and can’t do

March 23, 2021

Real Estate News and Advice

Even though two-thirds of Australian households are pet owners, finding a pet-friendly residence to rent can prove difficult and competitive. Basically, keeping a pet on the premises is at the landlord’s discretion, although assistance pets, such as guide dogs, cannot be refused. There are differences in Australian states and throughout New Zealand about pet ownership […]

Showstopping home-staging tips

March 22, 2021

Real Estate News and Advice

Home staging is the preparation of a private residence for sale. The objective is to present the property in as appealing a manner as time and budget allow. Ensuring the home is attractive to the highest number of potential buyers also enables the promptest and most effective sales results.   Staging your home for maximum effect […]