Do you own a home?
Prepare for profit. Download our top tips on how to get the highest and best price when selling.
Do you own a home?
Prepare for profit. Download our top tips on how to get the highest and best price when selling.
Using a granny flat as a rental may generate a good income for owners and help ease the current rental crisis. But, just like any other investment, it is wise to make sure you protect it properly with the right landlord insurance. Landlord insurance financially protects landlords against the unique risks that renting a property presents. When you have a second dwelling on the one ...
After two years in and out of lockdowns, home-schooling and a general lack of regular routines, our kids are back in the classroom, back to their after-school activities and generally back on track with school life. And while kids are a resilient bunch, getting back into pre-COVID routines can be a bit of a shock to the system and a source of anxiety – in just the same way that heading ba...
With changing mindsets, increased employer flexibility and a host of other factors fuelling the move to the coast or country, plenty of Aussies have been considering a tree or sea change in the last couple of years. And while reports of soaring house prices as city-dwellers exit the city en masse may make you think you’ve missed the boat on affordable lifestyle ch...
Staking claim to your very own slice of real estate is a very Aussie dream. And it’s a dream that many will have you believe is slipping further and further out of reach for first home buyers. We’re here to tell you that it’s not as hard as you think, and with a few cunning tips, tricks, and a bit of advice, you’ll be climbing the ladder to your dream home in no time. Th...
Despite being renowned for unspoiled coastlines, a spectacular inland river, migrating whales from June to November, and some of the finest cuisine on offer, it’s the award-winning vineyards of the Perth and Margaret River region that steal the spotlight from what is already a very full itinerary. With Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Shiraz, and Semillon vintages that rival the best in th...
After a recent burglary to my own home where I have security screens and dogs, and live opposite a large number of townhouses where there are cars coming and going all the time, and school children walking past regularly, I wondered why they chose my home? I searched far and wide for answers. I wondered how I could make my home more secure so next time burglars give my home a miss.&...
When a building gets older and items within it wear out, they depreciate in value. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) governs legislation that allows owners of any income producing property to claim a tax deduction for this wear and tear. What Can Tax Depreciation Do For Investors?Claiming tax depreciation allowances on an investment property increases its value by giving investors greater r...
The Australian Tax Office allows property investors to claim genuine property costs in their tax each year. While some costs are obvious, there are a few that you might have missed. Here's five great tax deductions thatyou can use to minimise the tax taht you are paying on your property. 1. AdvertisingThere are usually advertising costs involved in finding a tenant. This could mean websi...
COVID-19 is placing financial strain on many property investors nationally so, it’s more important than ever that investors do all they can to maximise their cash flow in these unprecedented times. Property depreciation unlocks hidden cash flow from your investment property as a non-cash deduction, meaning that investors don’t need to spend money to be eligible to claim it. Here&rs...
With most of us having spent a significant amount of time within our own four walls this winter, we’ve had plenty of time to dream and get inspired about our home style, creature comforts and interiors. Across our First National offices, we get to see interior trends first-hand; and the one clear styling trend we have seen stand-out for 2020 is colours, styling and furnishing all created ...
Rotting timber, fungus growth, corroding screws, warped bracing, cracked posts and split planks are just some of the dangers found by building inspectors on some of Queensland’s worst decks. The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) has issued a warning to home owners not to be complacent about deck health as the Queensland sun has been baking decks across the state. QB...
When you're buying your first home, there are a range of costs you need to have on your radar, but there are also government grants to help you along the way. In this edition of our newsletter, we’ll deal with costs. After you've saved your 20 per cent deposit, it can be easy to get carried away and forget about the additional sums that come with setting up and maintaining a home. To he...
What is rent-bidding?When tenants are being encouraged by landlords and property managers to offer more than the stated rent in order to secure a rental property, they are effectively being lured into entering into the practice of ‘rent bidding’. Is rent bidding legal?Rent bidding comes in two forms: Parties are invited to make offers as to the rent payable (sort of like a renta...
Over the past five years, Queensland’s top 50 best-performing suburbs are almost exclusively all within the southeast corner, according to the latest Queensland Market Monitor analysis. From September 2013 to September 2015, the top 50 strongest performing suburbs were concentrated within four local government areas - the Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast. Growth...
The poor quality of some properties is an on-going issue for Queensland renters. The changes will help protect the most vulnerable, often pushed into the margins of the market and reluctant to seek repairs for fear of losing their tenure, from living in substandard and unsafe housing. To combat these issues, the government has introduced legislation that will dictate to landlords what are ...
Although it can oftentimes seem frustrating and challenging, planning a small bedroom can be fun. With the right design tips and techniques, you can turn your small bedroom into a cute retreat. From clever storage solutions to multitasking furniture, these great ideas will help your tiny room come alive. Use a sofa bed or futon or install a 'murphy' bed: In a small bedroom, try us...
Let’s take a look at the age-old property question: is it better to build with a buyer-established property? One way to attack this question is in consideration of the property’s depreciation. Do you have to buy new to get the maximum depreciation? People may not realise that a property which is a couple of years old doesn’t have a big difference in its depreciati...
First National has a Five Star Winning Edge Customer satisfaction research and ratings agency, Canstar Blue, has announced First National Real Estate the winner of its 2016 and 2017 ‘Most Satisfied Customers’ award, following customer research about the experience of homeowners, tenants and landlords with Australia’s largest real estate brands. In assessing the quality of se...
Improving your return from property investment is about understanding who your demographic is – who is the tenant you are targeting and who is actually going to want to rent your property. The reason why a property is not renting is not always because of the price. It may be about the physical size of the property or features that your property may not have. For instance, ta...
I have always said that your day can be split into three parts. The first is sleeping, the second is spending time with your partner/friends, and the third is working. So, I believe that a happy life is the sum of a comfy bed, good relationships, and enjoyable work. This was the advice I gave to our 24-year-old son when he asked what I thought made for a happy life....
When a tenant moves out and leaves personal documents behind, property managers and owners must follow a process to deal with the papers. It is the property manager/owner to first try to contact the former tenant and return the documents directly. If the former tenant cannot be contacted, certain documents must be given to the Public Trustee of Queensland as set out under S364 of the&nbs...
I remember my father and mother giving me money advice from the time I was knee-high to a grasshopper. They were simple but compelling lessons. 1) Live within your means. 2) Plan for your future, and 3) Start today. Here are 10 lessons not to overlook when teaching kids about managing money. Lesson 1: Children are never too young to learn about good money habitsPa...
There are two types of tenancy agreements that a lessor/landlord and a tenant can enter into. The first is a fixed- term agreement and second is a periodic tenancy agreement. A fixed-term tenancy has a definite commencement date and expiry date. A periodic agreement has a commencement date with no expiry date. Tenancy agreements do not necessarily have to be for a 6 or 12-month term. Sometime...
There are some popular common terms used in property management that, when used, can inadvertently confuse tenants. Let’s take a look at some of the most common ones in series 1 of Lease Mythbusters. Tenants are on a month by ‘month’ lease. There is no such thing as a ‘month by month’ lease under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Act.&nb...
Professional real estate agencies, like First National Real Estate Rochedale, are aware of the dangers of corded window blinds and are ensuring that landlords understand the dangers and comply with current regulations. Every year, toddlers worldwide become entangled in curtain cords or unsecured blind chains. However the risk is also very high for young children and when we assess your rental ...
Is it worth the risk? The difference between a good and a bad property manager can amount to the cost of a sandwich and drink per week but will save you huge headaches. Generally speaking, when a landlord is shopping around for a new property manager the only commonly asked question is on fees. Property managers rarely get asked what their difference is from their competitors, what...
Dressing up your home doesn’t have to break the budget. Small changes can lead to large transformations. Check out our top 10 tips for renovating on a budget. 1. Enhance the EntryFirst impressions count. Investing in a new front door (or painting your old one) can change the look of your home and enhance its curb appeal. Should you wish to extend yourself a li...
Banks and agents may have a slightly different opinion of the value of your home. A bank valuation is generally more conservative. If your home is or will be mortgaged, your bank will usually need to value it. This gives the lender confidence your asset offers enough security against the borrowed amount if, for some reason, you cannot pay your mortgage and ...
Landlord’s insurance – are you covered for what you think you are? Did you know that there is a vast difference between building insurance (also known as a household policy) and a landlord’s policy? Some people may mistakenly believe that because their building insurance notes the rental amount on the policy that it automatically covers for rent default. However, landlo...
Investing is a complex profession and is fraught with pitfalls for the unprepared. Sophisticated investors understand the complexity of managing long-term investments, and in doing so void the common pitfalls of the typical investor. Here are six of the most common mistakes made by typical investors. A blind preference for particular asset classesInvesting in one or two asset class...
Sophisticated investors know all about the saying, ‘greater knowledge and understanding leads to better choices’. Whilst professional investors don’t have a crystal ball, they do have an extensive toolbox of information and analytical techniques at their disposal. Let’s take a look at some of these tools you can use for your investment strategy. Successful i...
Why wait? Earn more now from your investment property Claiming depreciation on your investment property and using a Pay-As-You-Go withholding variation can increase your fortnightly cash flow. Though investors often use negative gearing to offset the costs involved with owning a property, most have the aim to eventually use the property primarily as a source of income and to generate wea...
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