Housewarming parties call for forethought and imagination in hitting the right note with recipients. In the long-distant past, a glory box filled with items acquired over time helped establish people in their new homes. But a simple trip to Kmart or a homewares store can achieve the same outcome with a home starter’s kit of […]
Whether it’s a new apartment or an old one – or even a house in the outer suburbs – finding an affordable home isn’t easy for anyone starting out. And in all the excitement of house hunting, it’s all too easy to make mistakes. The following tips are designed to put first-home buyers on the […]
Whether you win or lose in an auction environment, your success rate depends on how you play the game. Employing smart strategies and displaying ongoing patience are two key steps to ensuring that you will succeed at auction, regardless of whether or not you secure the property at bidding time. Do your research From first-time […]
Catastrophic floods, devastating bushfires and other natural and man-made disasters are a telling reminder of the need for thorough research into home and contents insurance. Precious little can replace the sentimental value of unexpected home damage or loss, but property insurance provides much-needed peace of mind and asset protection to soothe the blow of storm […]
The year 2021 was defined by market highs and pandemic lows, record rises and construction woes. Incongruously, this combination ultimately proved a boon for property values. However, in the quest for lockdown-free lifestyles, COVID-19 continued the landmark exodus away from major capitals to regional centres and smaller cities in sunnier climes. This, in turn, raised […]
The maintenance of the humble nature strip can often create confusion between tenants (renters) and their landlords (rental providers). Best described as the strip of land between a residential property boundary and the road, the median strip is owned by your local council. But it is the responsibility of the resident/owner to ensure it is […]
With the phenomenon of instant loans and repayment conditions that favour the lender, it pays to think wisely before making your home loan decisions. In the deregulated and competitive marketplace of the 21st century, most lenders will accept a five per cent deposit, with the provision that they be covered by a one-off mortgage insurance […]
Extra income and maintaining a safe distance are the key balancing acts if you’re deciding to add a granny flat to your property. Adding a granny flat could increase your home’s value by 30 per cent and add about 27 per cent to rental income, according to a 2019 CoreLogic/Archistar Granny Flat Report. “Building a granny […]
Buying a home for the first time can be an expensive business, especially once the extras of stamp duty, conveyancing, moving costs and inspection reports have been factored into the equation. In fact, the financial drain can feel as if your hard-earned savings are going anywhere but into your newfound home. Worse still is if […]
No matter your intentions, disputes are part and parcel of owning an investment property. Be it bond claims, repairs and maintenance, rent increases, goods left behind, or leases, the potential for disagreements is seemingly limitless. The good news is that laws are in place to protect and achieve fair outcomes for both landlords (or rental […]