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.
Deadline for HomeBuilder applicants extended Exciting news has been announced for Australians building new homes and expecting to secure a $25,000 HomeBuilder grant. Originally, people who had applied for the grant were working towards the looming deadline of April 30, 2023 to get their paperwork in. If they missed the deadline, they would miss out on the grant. Fortunately, with...
Why waiting for LOWER house PRICES is costing you BIG time Everybody wants to buy at the bottom of the market. We get it, but how many people actually do? If you’re saving to buy your first home and hoping rising interest rates are going to lead to a 20% crash in house prices, as some banks have forecast, you could be in for a major disappointment. Aside fr...
Open house inspections can be equal parts fun, exciting and nerve-wracking, especially if you find yourself falling in love with a property at first sight. However, there will be plenty of time to dote on your home in the future – inspections are all about keeping your eyes open for any signs that your potential new abode might be a major lemon. Open house inspections can be equal parts ...
An easement is a property interest that allows the easement holder to use property that he or she does not own or possess. It does not allow the easement holder to occupy the land, or to exclude others from the land unless they interfere with the easement holder’s use. Before entering into a contract, ask your solicitor to investigate the effect of easements on your property Before...
Performing a few renovations here and there can even help you to add some value to your home or investment property – an important step if you’re thinking of selling soon! Performing a few renovations here and there can even help you to add some value to your home or investment property – an important step if you’re thinking of selling soon! Here are three budget renov...
seven top renovation tips the provide the most return on investment It pays to plan carefully and make smart choices with return on investment in mind. While the average renovation job recoups less than two-thirds of its cost at sale. Here are seven smart projects that almost entirely pay for themselves in resale value: 1. A fresh coat of paint and change of colo...
6 essential tips to help buyers navigate their way through a home purchase settlement. The final component involved in buying a home is settlement, which doesn't always go as smoothly as one would hope. Here are a few tips to help prevent those unpleasant surprises. Tip 1:One of the most important tips when buying a home is to allow sufficient time for the settlement o...
Property settlement is a complicated process. We break down the five main steps in Queensland property settlement. So you have found the home you would like to buy and are a little confused about the process from here-on-in? Take note of the following five steps towards finalising your property transaction 1. Make an offer Approach the Seller or their agent to make a...
Conveyancing is the term for the legal and statutory processes required to effect the transfer of ownership of real estate from one person to another. Conveyancing is the term for the legal and statutory processes required to effect the transfer of ownership of real estate from one person to another. The preparation, execution, verification and lodgement of numerous legal documents are importa...
A ‘Body Corporate’ is a legal identity that manages the affairs of an apartment building if it is Strata Title or ‘Community Title’. A ‘Body Corporate’ is a legal identity that manages the affairs of an apartment building if it is Strata Title or ‘Community Title’. The term ‘Body Corporate’ has been replaced by the more modern term &n...
A building and pest inspection may seem like a lot of money to pay but it is worth every cent if it saves you from buying a dud. Building and pest inspections typically cost around five hundred dollars but are a vital part of the due diligence process when buying a house. When buying an apartment, a strata inspection report may be more appropriate, depending on the size and construction of the...
Buying ‘off the plan’ provides investors with the opportunity to buy some of the best-positioned apartments within a complex. When the market is rising, it can also sometimes offer property investors a capital gain by the time construction is completed. Buying ‘off the plan’ provides investors with the opportunity to buy some of the best-positioned apartments within a c...
While it may all come down to who has the deepest pockets on the day, sometimes how you bid will influence just how high the other bidders are prepared to go. However, the most important factor with a real estate auction is to decide what is your realistic limit in advance. While it may all come down to who has the deepest pockets on the day, sometimes how you bid will influence ju...
Some handy hints for the auction newbie The chance to market and sell a home within a set timeframe, while making sure full market value is achieved, has led to auctions becoming a popular way of buying real estate. However, if you’re an auction newbie, the whole process can seem a little scary at first glance. One of the best ways to ensure a successful auction purchase is to p...
An auction “reserve price” is the minimum price that the vendor will accept. This is set by the vendor prior to auction and can be changed by the vendor during the auction if desired. The “reserve price” is the minimum price that the vendor will accept. This is set by the vendor prior to auction and can be changed by the vendor during the auction if desired. Whilst the...
An auction is a complicated process for a newcomer, however, it can also be lots of fun. Before attending an auction as a bidder, or as a vendor, it is best to view other auctions so you become familiarised with the process. An auction is a complicated process for a newcomer, however, it can also be lots of fun. Before attending an auction as a bidder, or as a vendor, it is best to...
A property is advertised for a set period and a date set by which buyers must have completed their enquiries (legal, building/pest inspections), arranged their finance & be ready to bid.... AuctionA property is advertised for a set period and a date set by which buyers must have completed their enquiries (legal, building/pest inspections), arranged their finance & be ready to bid. &nbs...
Essential tips to help homebuyers navigate through the complexities of your new home purchase Buying a home is about the biggest financial commitment you’ll ever have to make, so just as well it’s one of the things in life that DOES come with a guidebook! As much as buying a home is an exciting turning point in your lifestyle, you certainly don’t want to make...
Before a contract is signed is the best time to get legal advice from a qualified lawyer, solicitor or conveyancer. Opportunities to end the contract can be severely limited if legal advice is sought after the contract has been signed. When you're buying or selling a property, you are best advised to employ a solicitor or conveyancer. A conveyancer may also be a solicitor, but it is not ...
Property Insurance – Who is responsible for what and when? Settling your home is a wonderful time but there is so much to think about and sort out that one very important issue is sometimes overlooked...insurance. Who is responsible for the property insurance for the period from signing the contract until settlement? In Queensland, as different from some other Austr...
Stamp Duty is a tax levied by states on various types of transactions such as transfers and agreements for the sale of real estate. Stamp Duty is a tax levied by states on various types of transactions such as transfers and agreements for the sale of real estate. The amount of stamp duty you pay is based on the price of the property you buy. The amount varies from state to state. Visit t...
Did you know that 83.5% of Australians say they wouldn’t even conceive buying a property with one of their friends. However, for many single Australians, buying with a friend solves the challenge of how to get a foot on the first rung of the property ladder. Did you know that 83.5% of Australians say they wouldn’t even conceive buying a property with one of their friends. Howe...
You are a first home owner and can't save for a deposit and wondered if your parents can help you with the purchase Saving for a deposit isn’t easy, especially if you want to save enough to avoid Mortgage Insurance. If your parents are willing and able to help you buy your first home, then perhaps a Family Equity Loan is the way to go. A ‘Family Equity Loan’ or ‘Limite...
Deposit bonds substitute for cash when you need a deposit for a property purchase A ‘Deposit Bond’ acts as a substitute for cash and you can use the bond when you need to provide a deposit to a vendor in a sale contract or at auctions. For a small fee (several hundred dollars normally), you and your lender agree a maximum amount that you can use as a deposit to buy and you don&rsq...
You are thinking of buying a house. Ever wondered what your borrowing capacity is? A bank or mortgage broker can help you establish a realistic figure. If you have less than 20% of the purchase price, you may need to pay Mortgage Insurance. This allows you to borrow a larger percentage of the purchase price but slows the rate at which you pay off your loan. Mortgage Insurance can be inc...
how much money does it take to purchase a property? The amount of money you need for a deposit depends on the lender and their lending criteria. Some lenders let you borrow up to 90% or 95% of your home’s value. So you may only need to save a 5% deposit to have your loan approved. However, while you’re probably super keen to get into your own home, there are good reaso...
Saving for your first home seems like a mammoth mountain to climb. There is no time better than to start now. Below are some handy hints to help you get started on your way to saving for the deposit on your first home. Saving for your first home seems like a mammoth mountain to climb. There is no time better than to start now. Below are some handy hints to help you get ...
Some tips from the experts about how to work out what you should be paying for your new property “Market value” is whatever a willing buyer will pay for a property when it sells. While this advice doesn’t help new buyers, or even experienced buyers, there are ways to work out what you should pay for a property. Here are our tips: Use technology: Many real es...
There is a lot to consider when buying a property. New homes come with fewer maintenance costs but you pay for it in the purchase price. Unless it is a turnkey property, the little extras they need can also increase the cost exponentially. Buying old: Older properties are sometimes cheaper than new ones, depending on the location and condition ofthe property Older homes offer charming...
How do you know when the time is right to purchase a property? You can be certain you’re properly prepared when you’ve covered these bases: You’ve saved your deposit, consulted a mortgage broker or financial planner and made sure you can afford the monthly repayments on your proposed property loan. You’ve prepared yourself mentally, meaning you’re prepared to ...
Should you make an offer to purchase a property straight away or wait.... The ideal time is the moment you decide that you are interested in it. Whether it is for sale by Auction or For Sale (Private Treaty) the owner is always interested in hearing offers. Don't be fooled into thinking that you have plenty of time to sit back and wait for the property to go down in price. A good a...
Before you agree to buy your dream house, consider your long-term plan. The purchase cost is the first part of owning a home, but there are other costs too. Here are 5 things you absolutely need to know about buying a home. Before you agree to buy your dream house, consider your long-term plan. The purchase cost is the first part of owning a home, but there are other costs t...
3 great tips to help you navigate through the home settlement process 1. During the settlement period, purchasers are entitled to ask for accompanied access to the property for “reasonable” purposes. Remember though, the property still belongs to the owner and they are not obliged to grant access. 2. Stay in close contact with your legal representative when planning removal van bo...
Specific contract conditions can help put one buyer ahead of another when there is more than one offer on a property for sale. In Queensland, both the settlement period and the deposit amount can be negotiated with the seller prior to signing the contract. The terms of a contract are up for negotiation and is a very powerful tool for a purchaser. The highest price does ...
Some property investors choose to manage their own rental properties. This has both advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is that you can save on real estate agent costs but there are challenges you need to be mindful of. Some property investors choose to manage their own rental properties. This has both advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is that you can save on real estate agen...