September
Open House Ideas and Tips
The open house is your opportunity to really ’sell’ your house to potential buyers. Usually a potential buyer is only in the house for a few minutes and first impressions DO count! Make the best impression on your potential buyers by following some of these handy hints and tips…
September
Getting your kids on the property ladder
Many young people struggle to buy a home. By contrast, their parents may be comfortable thanks largely to the growth in value of the family home, and are keen to help their children get on the property ladder. Money reader Marion wants to know how she can help her youngest daughter.
“Rebecca and partner Ryan are on fairly modest salaries and find it hard to save a deposit while paying rent,” she writes. “We have paid off our home and have built up a nice nest egg. How can we help without putting our retirement at risk?”
September
Challenges for first home buyers this spring
The recent sales results and analysis from the REIV show that different segments of the market are experiencing differing levels of demand.
Demand has cooled in the upper end of the market, as prices seem to have peaked; yet in the middle and affordable segments, demand is still quite strong.
This has occurred for the same reason that saw the market rebound so rapidly from the problems of the global economy. Demand is underpinned by a steadily growing population and the subsequent increase in demand for housing. The resulting disparity between demand and supply, when supported by a good local economy and low unemployment, has resulted in strong conditions for residential property.
September
The balance between renovating and selling
Most home owners will consider the idea of renovating at some stage during their time in a home; some renovate to make the home more liveable now and others to attempt to increase the sale price.
No matter what the reason is, you need to consider the cost of the renovation and compare that to the potential financial benefit.
This is important because overcapitalising can be a risk. While most investors have a good understanding of what overcapitalising is and how to avoid it, this is not always the case for owner–occupiers.
September
Landlords count cost of tenants from hell
MORE landlords are being forced to claim on their insurance as the number of thefts rises and the value of the stolen property increases, a leading landlord insurer says.
Terri Scheer Insurance manager Carolyn Majda says theft claims handled by the company have jumped 42 per cent in the past year, with the average total increasing by almost 20 per cent. "This can be costly for landlords if they do not have adequate insurance to cover replacement costs," she says.
September
Croydon Market traders lodge permit for new location
THE Croydon Market’s future hinges on the success of a planning permit to operate from the Dorset Gardens Hotel.
Stallholders lodged a planning application to Maroondah Council yesterday after coming to an agreement with the hotel to hold the market in its car park on Sundays and Mondays.
August
Lacola plans go on show
RESIDENTS of Chirnside Park can have a say on redevelopment of the Lacola site and view the rezoning proposal until September 26.
Plans for the site, which is dominated by excavation works, include a 310-property residential development, mixed-use commercial zone with offices and entertainment space and significant retail space.
