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Viewing checklist for buyers

When you visit an open home or by appointment, every minute is valuable. You may have multiple houses to view that same day, so you quickly need to size the property up and decide whether it could suit your needs. Use these questions and prompts as a checklist to make the most of your viewing....

Why you should invest in marketing when selling your home

When you go to put your home on the market, I offer you an opportunity to invest in extra marketing options. Over and above what my standard plan includes. At this point you might understandably think: “Hey, I’m already paying you a commission. Why should I pay extra for advertising?” The reason is, to ensure you get the best possible result. To put your home on a pedestal and make it stand out from the crowd. To make it easy for buyers to find and fall in love with your home....

How to sell a home

When it comes to selling your home, the first and most important principle to understand is:...

How To Buy A Home

Have you found a home you love but you’re not sure what to do next? This guide will help you move forward. Every property is different, but there are some standard rules you can follow that will help you make smart, informed decisions....

How to save money on house insurance

Insurance is a major expense for most homeowners. When you take up a new home insurance policy though, it’s usually at a time when you are in a hurry. You might be in the middle of trying to secure finance to make an offer, or in a rush to arrange your settlement day. You probably don’t have a lot of time on your hands to analyse what’s on offer and ensure it is the best setup for your needs.To make up for this, set a date (maybe on the anniversary of your home purchase) to review your pos...

What to do if your offer gets turned down

One of the most frustrating moments in any property-buying journey is when you make an offer on a property you love and the owners decide to turn it down.Emotions can be understandably high at this point and many buyers respond by giving up and walking away. Before you cut and run though, take a moment to pause and consider your options, because sometimes a ‘no’ can be turned into a ‘yes’ with a little patience and persistence. Option 1: Increase your offerThis seems like an obvious sugg...

5 tips for a drier, warmer, healthier home

A dry home is a healthy home. Plus, when your home is dry it is easier to heat, which means it’s a more comfortable place to live. It can also save you money on your power bill since your heaters won’t have to work so hard to keep you nice and cosy.Follow these 5 simple tips to keep your home dry, warm and healthy: 1. Get the air movingFresh air helps to keep your home dry and makes it easier to heat. The key is to let fresh, clean air into your home by opening windows for a least a few minu...

Western Feng Shui

It is important to remember that first impressions are everything. How a property looks effects the way a prospective buyer feels about a home. If they do not like the feel, they will not buy it.Here are 10 key Western Feng Shui tips – that will help you create a home where you will feel supported and inspired and look forward to coming home each day. A place that rejuvenates rather than depletes you. Your own personal sanctuary from the world. 😊🧡🏠 Western Feng Shui offers practical, ...

Changes to Residential Tenancies Act

MAJOR CHANGESThe Residential Tenancies Act 1986There have been a number of major amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act 1986. To help you navigate these, a summary of the changes is below: Changes Effective NowTenancies can be terminated if family violence or landlord assault has occurred• Family violence: tenants experiencing family violence will be able to terminate a tenancy without financial penalty.• Physical assault: a landlord will be able to issue a 14-day notice to terminate th...

Preparing and styling your home

Preparing & Styling Your Home For Sale Your Property is a Significant InvestmentThe below is informational guide to assist you in preparing your property – a significant asset for sale. Presentation, Price and Promotion are the 3 P’s we ( you and your salesperson) can control and work with in achieving your property going to market in the best possible position. I am available to take your call anytime to clarify anything or help you refine your must dos. Maintenance / Fix the small thingsGe...

Back Up Offer

Currently you are looking and may have found the perfect property however your only option at this stage is to submit a cash out offer or backup offer. How can you make a backup offer that gives you the best chance of securing the property, is it worth the time & energy many ask?Should you write a backup offer to buy a property?” The vendor more often than not would NOT look for a backup offer unless they felt there was a good chance the first offer in place might fall. Generally speaking, if ...

ENSURING CO-OWNERSHIP ENDS IN CHEERS, NOT TEARS

That’s because the bank already knows them intimately, cares deeply about their financial future, and has a history of giving more than taking. Don’t believe me? It’s also a bank they already know well, and probably trust more than any other bank in the world. In fact, they’re already a client whether they like it or not, because they’ve been tapping it for credit time and time again since the day they were born. That’s right. I’m talking about the Bank of Mum and Dad. Parents Pty ...

SPRING INTO ACTION WITH A FUSS FREE GARDEN FINESSE

Most of us aren’t spending much time there, and it’s not exactly the entertainment hub in through winter. So, it’s not surprising that the panic sets in when the sun starts to heat up a bit and your ‘winter garden’ becomes a ‘spring eyesore’. Particularly if you’re thinking about selling. Rest assured here are a few simple tricks to refresh your garden without a major overhaul, putting it in great stead for showcasing. 1. Weed – for visual impact It’s so easy to take a look a...

HOW TO ‘SET AND FORGET’ YOUR GARDEN

Having a well-presented and appealing garden can be easily achieved and doesn’t have to be a daily, or even weekly chore. Invest a little time now in getting organised and then you can ‘set and forget’ your gardens to look after themselves with minimum maintenance for years to come. Implement these 6 steps and you will be well on the way to a ‘set and forget’ landscape: 1. DeclutterTo create low maintenance gardens, start by digging out (not whipper snipping or poisoning!) the weeds. I...

RENOVATING PROPERTY IN A FLAT MARKET

We are in our 11th year of our property makeover business and I have only seen this type of market twice! Right now we are looking at a different return on investment approach to the last few years. At this point in the market, the need is to present your property well, so potential purchasers are not sitting on their hands or alternatively – low balling your offer. A year ago, investment was at a usual 3 x ROI just in value, not counting efficiency of time costs on sale, as the market is now...

GETTING A JUMP ON THE SPRING MARKET

Listing your property in the spring market is the traditional approach due to the fact that the weather is starting to get better. Gardens can normally be made to look their best and all in all I think our properties are generally enhanced by the season. There is another theory, and that is about getting a jump on the competition. Think of it this way, if there are less properties on the market then there are less on the buyers’ list to choose from, therefore you could be in a slightly better ...

MARK TUCKEY: HOW TO CHOOSE KEY PIECES OF FURNITURE FOR YOUR HOME

There’s heaps of what I call fast-fashion and disposable furniture out there for the short term, and there’s the forever furniture pieces that have a high quality build, using high quality materials, made to be heirlooms. The majority of Australians love to entertain so investing in a good quality dining table is a great place to start. It’s a statement piece and the focal point of the living/ dining area. We love designing dining tables as they bring the family together and make a house f...

FIRST-TIME BUYERS – YOUR TIME IS NOW

New rules limiting lending to property investors at a time when the market has seen a surge in new apartments, has had a cooling effect and given a boost to those looking to take their first step on the housing ladder. So if you’ve been thinking about taking the plunge to acquire your first home, now is a really good time to buy. Here’s a little advice to get you off on the right foot: Be realistic Compromise is the word that first comes to mind. It’s a very romantic notion, buying your fi...

TOP TIPS FOR CULTIVATING YOUR STREET APPEAL

1. PrunePruning your plants not only makes them look tidier but encourages growth and health. But when is the best time of year for your plants? A good rule of thumb is to always prune after flowering. When pruning, cut just above new shoots and constantly stand back to ensure a nice, even shape. 2. WeedWeeds can take over your garden and lawn very quickly. They steal water and nutrients from other plants and make any garden look unloved. Look after your back by using long-handled tools or payin...

VERDICT IN ON INTEREST RATES – NEW ZEALAND JUNE 2018

As expected, the OCR remains on hold and a statement was released earlier today by Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr, who has stressed the importance of communication since taking the helm of the RBNZ in March. Orr has left the official cash rate at a record-low 1.75 percent as expected. The straight talking Governor of New Zealand’s central bank has pledged to modernise the bank’s communication strategy, saying it needs to rebuild trust with its audience and make itself more accessible to th...

DOWNSIZING OR RIGHTSIZING - HELPING EMPTY NESTERS MAKE THE RIGHT MOVE

Let me explain: Downsizing (verb). to make (something) smaller. Rightsizing (verb). to convert (something) to an appropriate or optimum size. There’s an assumption that when children reach adulthood, they will have their own lives and move out of the family home. Their parents will instinctively ‘downsize’ and discard the possessions they’ve accumulated over the years, sell the house, and move into a smaller home that’s easier to maintain. Often it does not happen this way and we see p...

PROPERTY MAKEOVER DILEMMA - TO RENOVATE OR NOT TO RENOVATE

Last time I shared with you a very common dilemma people can have – should I renovate or do a property makeover if I’m in a popular development area?  You can read that article here. Another very popular question is: “A friend of mine has recently made-over their place to sell, they put in a kitchen, they painted and landscapers were there for days. Then someone bought it and they are now pulling the house down or they are now installing their own kitchen – isn’t that a waste of m...