The Blog

Is owning your own home something you dream about?  To be out of the rental market where you have to deal with inspections being carried out regularly and the looming chance your owner will sell and you will be on the move? Maybe this dream can become a reality.  With interest rates at an all-time low, perhaps meeting with a mortgage broker would be beneficial.   They can offer advice on the best steps to take to get you into a favourable position to obtain a mortgage.  Mortgage brokers will not only assess your financial position but also shop around for a mortgage that will best suit you. There are many benefits to owning your own home.  Firstly, it’s a fixed address and that provides a greater sense of security.  You also don’t have to ask permission to hang a picture on the wall and can fix, change or alter anything you like.  Any improvements made to your home are also likely to increase its value.   It can also bring future wealth as you are investing into your own asset rather than paying ‘dead money’ in rent.   First home buyers are also eligible for stamp duty concessions in some States and Territories. It is however, important to set realistic goals and to stick to a manageable loan.  You are better off in a smaller house you can call your own, than a larger and perhaps flashier rental property.   Think of your first property purchase as a stepping stone to your ideal home.  As your mortgage begins to decline, your property value will increase; and so will rental prices. So don’t procrastinate! If you need to get that deposit account started, do it now.  Decide where you may be able to cut back and save those extra dollars.  Keep your mind focused on your goal.   If you need to engage a mortgage broker, pick up the phone.  There are many good mortgage brokers so make the most of their free service. An experienced real estate agent will be able to provide you with good advice when it comes to finding a suburb that best fits your budget and needs.   They have a good understanding of house prices, what various areas have to offer and the whole buying process. There is a lot of help and advice available, so don’t be nervous.   Make your dream a reality! By Claire Hester. Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved. Stock Image

HOW TO maximise your property's sale price!

How to get your property SOLD! This issue outlines 3 proven ways to ensure a successful sale for your property. Selling property can be an emotionally charged experience, from the initial excitement of making the decision to sell, through to the thrill of seeing your property sell for a higher than expected price. Once you have made the decision to sell, it is important to understand what you can control and what may be outside of your influence. For example, by selecting a local, qualified agent, you will have access to the latest market trends and information, however external market influences such as interest rates and the economy can fluctuate daily. Selling Price: - Setting a realistic asking price is essential to attract the right buyers and encourage them to seriously consider your property to purchase. If you start with an unrealistic price, you may be pricing yourself out of the market. If the market is strong, it pays to be conservative with your price range estimates as it is likely to increase interest from serious buyers, creating more competition and potentially securing a successful sales outcome sooner. - To assist you in establishing a fair market price for your property, the best source of local knowledge, market information and recent sales history is most likely to be your local agent. Property Presentation: - Although this may sound obvious, a well-maintained and well- presented property is likely to sell faster and for a much higher price than a poorly maintained property. Overgrown gardens, crowded and cluttered rooms, dirty interior or weathered exteriors are likely to deter potential buyers and increase their bargaining power when negotiating price. - When preparing for property inspections and sale consider soft lighting to brighten rooms, tidying the outside and cleaning the windows. It can pay huge dividends when you pay attention to the small details. Property Profile: - If a picture is worth a thousand words, then an effective property marketing campaign could be worth thousands more. - Prospective buyers are busy and they have likely looked at tens or even hundreds of properties online and at 'Open for Inspections'. How can you make sure your property stands out in a crowded market and leaves a positive, favourable impression with serious buyers? As you have invested time and money in preparing the property, why wouldn't you also invest in high quality photography to showcase the properties unique features? There are many other factors that can influence a successful sales outcome for your property.  To find out how to set the right sales price, prepare your property properly and market it to its best potential, we recommend partnering with a trusted real estate agent who has local expertise, has successfully listed and sold properties in your area and is an effective communicator who understands your needs. At House 2 Home Real Estate we are focused on helping you achieve the price you want when selling your property.  We will work with you to understand your selling requirements and develop a selling and marketing strategy that works for you. Successful Sale Checklist: - Is the market heating up or cooling down? - Do your price expectations match market reality? - How many similar properties are available in the area? - What is the recent sales history of similar properties? - Is your property clean, tidy and well-presented? - Are the outdoor and garden areas clean and tidy? - Are the windows cleaned? - Is the interior clear of clutter and well lit? - Have you used high quality photography for marketing purposes? - Does your agent have an effective marketing strategy to drive qualified inquiries? - Have you identified and engaged a trusted agent who is skilled in negotiation to advise you on the best-selling strategy for your property? Uncertain of the answers? Contact us today for a selling strategy that works for you

Many investors gravitate towards purchasing off-the-plan developments due to the perceived benefit they offer.  Off-the-plan developments are often marketed as an easy way to enter the property investment world and the glossy brochures can certainly make them look an attractive choice.  Being new builds, investors can maximise depreciation and minimise maintenance costs, which assists with boosting returns. Although this seems promising, due diligence needs to be exercised before signing the contract.  Here are some tips before purchasing an off-the-plan development as an investment. Be wary of guaranteed rental returns. Many developers offer a rental guarantee to entice investors.  It can sound like an attractive option at the time - the market rent may be $350 a week, the guarantee $500 a week.  Sounds too good to be true?  That's because it is.  Once the rental guarantee expires, the investor is forced to accept rent at the market value. Due to it being significantly lower, this may cause financial problems for investors relying on a high cash flow. A further consideration is that guaranteed rental returns are rarely an extra - rather their cost is factored into the sale price. Don't rely on capital growth. Capital growth by definition is speculation.  Many investors are attracted to off-the-plan developments as they get to purchase at today's prices then not have to settle for an extended period of time - by which values may have increased.  This is an appealing notion for investors - they gain capital growth before they've even settled.  Despite this, it's important to acknowledge that short term capital growth is not always guaranteed.  Often it's the opposite - an investor will pay a premium price only to find that it is valued considerably less at the time of completion. More competition. With both Brisbane and the Gold Coast at risk of a unit oversupply, investors need to consider they may face vacancy issues or declining returns once projects are completed.  It's no secret that investors make up a huge portion of off-the-plan purchases, which means the competition to rent out your apartment will be high. There have already been reports of investors discounting rent or offering enticements to tenants in over-supplied inner city areas. As with any investment, it's important to do your research and crunch the numbers prior to making a purchasing decision.  Off-the-plan developments can be a risky investment for the inexperienced investor, especially if caution is not exercised.  It's important to consider all aspects and decide whether the development supports your investment strategy.

If you've been thinking about selling your house at some point in the near future, you'll want to start getting ready as soon as possible. For many homeowners, this includes grabbing a set of tools from the shed and getting your hands dirty. For others, it just means calling a tradie. Selling a home in Australia's competitive real estate market can be facilitated by having a fully functional, aesthetically attractive home. Simply offering the lowest price on the block is not enough to make a lasting impression. When potential buyers are viewing several homes in your neighbourhood, you'll want yours to be the one that stands out for the right reasons. This process can be facilitated with the assistance of a local real estate agent who knows what competition you may be up against. They can help you save money by focusing on the tasks that are most important for boosting your home's value. With the solid advice of a local real estate agent, you can make your house as close to turnkey standards as possible. A turnkey home is a house where a buyer can move right in without the need for any initial repairs. Many buyers don't want to put more money and effort into a project after having already gone through the lengthy process of purchasing a home. The following are ten simple ways that you can approach turnkey status and improve your property's value before putting it on the market. 1. External Wall Repair and Painting The first thing that a potential buyer will see is the exterior of your home, so it's worth making sure that your home looks its best outside and in. Properties that appear dilapidated, old, or ugly just won't make the cut. There's nothing like a fresh coat of paint to make your home look fresh, modern and more universally appealing.  You may wish to shy away from overly bold shades such as lime green, or you'll make your house stand out for all the wrong reasons. It's a good idea to consult with your real estate agent or a designer before you get started. There are also virtual painting programs online that can give you a preview. In addition to giving your home a paint job, you should also examine the exterior for visible signs of damage. Walls made of weatherboard may have panels that need replacing. Brick homes may need to have small gaps filled in with fresh mortar and rendered walls can do with fresh concrete to fill in gaps. These small improvements will make a property look like new without the need for major renovation. 2. Upgrade Doors and Windows Aside from looking stylish, new doors or windows make your home more energy efficient and can lead to more affordable household running costs and a more environmentally-conscious property, which many buyers are attracted to. 3. Landscaping and Yard Lighting Buyers love an attractively landscaped yard and it doesn't take too much money to fix yours up if you have the space for it. A household's yard is considered to be a good indicator of the total amount of effort given to the property: dead plants, messy gardens, or boring yards can be a fast turn-off. Investing in new soil, rocks, shrubs, ground cover, trees, and mulch can help transform your yard; making it appear fresh and inviting. An appealing yard will help sell the property because it invites buyers to picture themselves spending time outside during the pleasant seasons of the year. This can be done on your own if you have a green thumb, or you could enlist the services of a professional landscaper. Be sure to focus on yard lighting as well, because some buyers will only have the time to drive around after dark. Night lighting can create a modern, chic look for your garden. 4. Interior Flooring It may seem strange, but the floor is one of the first things that buyers look at upon entering a property. People expect their homes floors to be contemporary, clean, and stylish. Old, musty carpeting will definitely not do your home any favours. Although hardwood floors are perennially popular and easy to care for, a high quality carpet can also be quite attractive and create a warm atmosphere. Be sure to fix any flaws in your flooring and be prepared to replace carpets if they are ancient. 5. Kitchen Upgrades The kitchen is one of the most important communal areas of any home. Buyers want a functional work space that includes good taps, cupboards, and bench-tops. It's a common mistake for sellers to overdo kitchen upgrades with fancy granite or marble bench-tops and all-new stainless steel appliances. Although this looks sleek and modern, some buyers will be turned off by these types of upgrades because they will automatically assume that the house is more expensive as a result of them. In any case, be sure that all appliances are in working condition and that the kitchen looks tidy and attractive. 6. Bathroom and Toilet Repairs As with kitchen upgrades, it's possible to go crazy renovating a bathroom space with all-new showers, toilets, tubs, and cabinetry. This may not be necessary to add value to your home, provided that your bathroom is in proper working order and fresh in appearance. A good bathroom space will be both functional and aesthetically appealing. Small repairs like painting the walls and replacing tile grout can work wonders. Clean out your exhaust fan and repair chips in the bathtub or sink to make fixtures look like new. It's also worthwhile in some cases to replace old light fixtures with more user-friendly or energy efficient models. 7. Internal Lighting Fixtures The cost of lighting fixtures can vary greatly, but if you have old-fashioned hanging lights with paper lampshades, it’s probably time for an upgrade. Lighting is really important when selling your home, as no buyer is going to want to live in a dark space. Down-lights look good in most environments and lighting can be used to play up other pieces of decor in the home. Energy efficient lighting can also boost a property's appeal. 8. Painting Interior Walls There are certain trends that come and go in interior design. You may have noticed that many new model homes come with coloured, feature walls rather than blank, white ones. Buyers can interpret a white-walled home as being boring and devoid of character, while the right colours can be exciting. However, it's important to take care with your paint choices, as something too outlandish may hinder the potential buyers ability to see themselves in your property. If you're using colour, be sure that all the colours blend well together and match other design aspects of your home. Accent walls and textured brush techniques can add visual interest to your property, but consult with an interior designer if you are unsure. 9. Roof and Foundations The structure of your home may not be as apparent to buyers at first glance as many of these other factors, but a poor inspection report due to flaws in your roof or foundations could break your sale at the last moment and cost you much more. It's important to have a professional come in to inspect home ahead of time, so that you can repair any structural flaws. Buyers will want to be satisfied that their new home is safe and built to last. 10. Heavy Cleaning and Organising A heavy, thorough cleaning can work wonders on any property. This part of the process will be cheap, but it will take some considerable time and physical effort to do right. Focus on cleaning all the places of the property that you can see, as well as all those hidden corners that you can't see. Get behind the stove and refrigerator and move furniture to clean what lies underneath. A clean, tidy home with everything in working repair will help you get the best possible selling price. If you're going to hold inspections whilst still living in the property, be sure to organise all clutter. Remove all your personal belongings, such as family photos, that will hinder the buyer's ability to put themselves in the house. Get storage boxes and consider getting short-term off-site storage for all your items that don't fit neatly into cupboards. Remember buyers will be opening everything and looking everywhere, and neatness (however obsessive) suggests a house that is in good order. How to Get Started Although this list may seem overwhelming, if you attack one task at a time and enlist the help of professionals (if needed), you'll soon achieve your sales goal. Rather than falling into non-action, it's better to focus on tasks that don't require too much fiscal investment or energy at first. By the end of your efforts, you'll be confident that you've done everything in your power to boost your homes value and attract buyers. It's also helpful to seek out the expert opinion of an estate agent before you start tackling unnecessary tasks. A good real estate agent will know exactly which of these tasks should be prioritised, taking your local market competition into consideration. By LocalAgentFinder Viewed online 18th July 2016 at https://www.localagentfinder.com.au/blog/top-ten-tips-to-increase-your-homes-value-before-selling/

One of the nation's leading real estate agents says styling is critical when it comes to marketing a property.

"Our industry is very much driven by perception, Peter Chauncy of McGrath Estate Agents told REB.  So unless you can create that amazing first impression, then you're sort of on the back foot," he said. "If you've got a property that has been beautifully presented, that is looking polished and sharp, then people will be more likely to come to that property before the one that's poorly presented." Mr Chauncy explained that when it comes to selling a property, ultimately it's a numbers game. "The more people we can get through a property, the more likely we are to get another offer, or issue another contract, and therefore potentially get more competition and interest for our clients," he said. In order to make the best first impression, Mr Chauncy suggests all his clients have a complimentary consultation with one of his agency's stylists. The extent of the work might entail a complete restyle, or in some cases a partial restyle might be more appropriate, such as removing items to foster the perception of more space and less clutter. One useful tip he revealed is that minimising the items in the property produces clean, smooth lines which showcase the property in its best light. "I think it just helps buyers fall in love with the property better, and become more emotionally connected to the house," he said. "If you go out of your way with the presentation of the home, you're only going to reap the rewards, whether that be a good strong offer before auction or a very competitive auction unfold on the day." ~Thursday, 31 March 2016  Francesca Krakue. Viewed online 18th May 2016 www.realestatebusiness.com.au/breaking-news